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This paper describes the application of a controlled switching device to energize a 500 kV/230 kV/46 kV, 1200 MVA autotransformer in Manitoba. The development of a detailed electromagnetic-transient (EMT) simulation model of the transformer formed the basis of the work described. The transformer model includes an accurate representation of hysteresis and remanance, which was validated using recorded waveforms and manufacturer data. This paper discusses a feasibility study conducted using this transformer model to evaluate the suitability of controlled switching to energize this transformer. A series of real-time hardware in the loop tests was conducted using a real-time simulator as part of precommissioning tests. The real-time simulation (RTS) tests and phase 1 of commissioning tests conducted in October 2014 showed that the controlled switching device would produce inaccurate residual flux estimates when it integrates the secondary voltage waveforms of a capacitive voltage transformer. Based on these RTS test results and EMT simulations, the installation of a wound potential transformer (PT) was recommended. This paper also discusses simulation studies conducted to manually program the controller until the PT was commissioned. During phase 2 of testing conducted in October 2015, a wound PT was commissioned and the controller was tested. The recorded waveforms showed good agreement with simulation results. The controller has accurately predicted residual flux and minimized inrush currents during transformer switching events.

This paper presents a new approach for locating short-circuit faults on untransposed transmission lines. Various fault-location algorithms have been proposed previously for transposed lines, which may not always be the case in practice. Existing methods usually require measurements recorded from one or two terminals of the faulted line, which may not be always available. To complement existing methods, this paper proposes a novel, general fault-location method for untransposed lines using sparse wide-area measurements, which is also applicable to transposed lines. Phasor measurement units are utilized to obtain the sparse wide-area synchronized measurements, which may be captured from buses far away from the faulted line. This method fully considers inherent unbalances of untransposed lines, and fully models shunt capacitances of lines based on a distributed parameter line model. Optimal estimation theory is exploited to make the most of available measurements for enhanced estimation. The method is able to locate faults on single-circuit and double-circuit line configurations, and is immune to fault resistances. Another feature of this method is that it does not require the fault type to be known. Extensive simulation studies using the Electromagnetic Transients Program have been performed, and quite accurate results have been achieved.

With the integration of intermittent renewable generation, transmission voltage problems have become more dynamic. The deployment and tuning of numbers of VAr compensators at various locations may not be cost-effective. This paper presents an alternative method, which utilizes existing parallel transformers in distribution networks, to provide reactive power absorption services for transmission systems with low demands. The operation of parallel transformers in small different tap positions, that is, with staggered taps, can provide a means of absorbing reactive power. The aggregated VAr absorption from many pairs of parallel transformers could be used to provide voltage support to the upstream transmission network. This paper focuses on the economic and technical analyses of using the tap staggering method. For the economic analysis, the associated costs of applying the tap staggering technique are investigated through static load-flow studies. The IEEE Reliability Test System is used to carry out the studies and the results are compared with the installation of shunt reactors. In the technical studies, the dynamic impacts of tap staggering or reactor switching on transmission voltages are analyzed. From the results, the tap staggering technique has more economic advantages than reactors and can reduce the voltage damping and overshoots during the transient states.

This paper investigates the voltage profiles and harmonic impacts of high-speed trains on the traction power-supply system (TPSS) and primary utility system. Power-quality (PQ) assessment has become not only a computing tool for TPSS design and planning, but also an indispensable technique for utilities to estimate the accurate PQ impacts from the railway systems. Therefore, to achieve comprehensive PQ assessment in TPSS, a dynamic fundamental/harmonic power-flow (DF/HPF) method is developed in a companion paper, while further application of the technique is described in this paper. The fundamental and harmonic results calculated in a 24-h period, such as loading levels, voltage profiles, unbalance, power loss, and harmonic distortions have been computed. In addition, the statistical measured background harmonics of the utility system are represented by Weibull function and considered in the harmonic evaluation. The unbalance and harmonic impacts are investigated and checked with national standards in this paper. The proposed method can be effective for excavating and predicting the potential serious PQ problems existing in the TPSS by using a train timetable.

This paper performs a frequency-domain investigation in two-terminal voltage-source-converter–HVDC (VSC–HVDC) systems, focusing on the use of the net-damping criterion to investigate poorly damped conditions and closed-loop stability. The system is represented as a feedback interconnection of two subsystems, defined in this paper as: 1) a dc-grid input impedance and 2) a VSC input admittance. The damping characteristics of the two subsystems are defined at critical frequencies and their separate contribution to the closed-loop stability is assessed by the net-damping criterion. A variety of study cases demonstrates the effectiveness of the latter as a powerful tool for stability investigation, while a correlation has been derived between the net-damping value and the damping factor of the poorly damped poles of the system.

This paper presents a new framework for supervisory protection and situational awareness to enhance grid operations and protection using modern wide-area monitoring systems. In contrast to earlier approaches dealing with the combined processing of data from multiple phasor measurement units (PMUs), the proposed approach analyzes only the PMU data with the strongest or the most prominent disturbance signature. The specific contributions of this paper are: a) new criteria for identification of PMU with the strongest signature, b) simplified approach for quick detection of faults, c) early classification of eight other disturbances suitable for near real-time response, d) time-frequency transform-based feature extraction techniques for speedy and reliable classifiers, and e) a promising approach to locate disturbances within narrow geographical constraints. The contributions are verified with exhaustive simulation data from the Western Electricity Coordination Council system model and limited real PMU data.

This paper describes the development of a thermohydraulic radiator model. The setup of the hydraulic as well as the thermal model is explained. For the thermal calculations, a method to predict the air velocity as a function of fan characteristics and radiator geometry is established. The coupling of both models is explained as well. A large part of this paper has been dedicated to the validation of the radiator model. This shows the power of the new model and gives new insights into radiator-fan cooling.

This paper presents a complete analysis of a direct ac-to-ac modular multilevel converter (direct MMC) applied in medium-voltage distribution networks through the soft-open-point concept. The direct MMC is capable of bidirectional power flow between two feeders at any power factor, even when the feeders have different nominal voltages and operate with a phase-shift angle or unbalanced voltages. The converter has six branches, each one composed of full H-bridges cells connected in series to generate a multilevel voltage waveform, to share the blocking voltage of the power switches and to have fault-tolerant operation. This paper presents a suitable control scheme and provides a discussion about the capabilities and limitations of the converter, the capacitor voltage balance control, the efficiency, and the power-loss mitigation at various operation points. Simulation results and power-loss calculations are presented for a three-phase 11-kV 16-MVA direct MMC with 10 H-bridge cells per branch. The direct MMC is simulated in a distribution network to demonstrate the features of the converter and control under various operation conditions, including grid faults.

The dc cables of the voltage-sourced converter-based HVDC link, including the modular multilevel converter (MMC) configuration, must be protected by surge arresters against transient overvoltages. The selection of the appropriate surge arresters requires a comprehensive understanding of the phenomena that cause the overvoltages and accurate calculation of energy discharged in the arresters. This paper investigates the mechanism that causes transient overvoltages, due to dc-side line-to-ground faults, in a cable-connected MMC–HVDC link. This paper also evaluates the impacts of various system parameters, for example, the prefault power transfer level, the MMC arm inductance, the transformer leakage inductance, the fault location, the ac system short-circuit capacity, the cable inductance, and the MMC blocking delay, on the peak transient overvoltages and the amount of energy discharge in the cable surge arresters. The transient overvoltage studies are also conducted when the dc cable is replaced by an overhead line. The studies are performed in the PSCAD platform. The studies conclude that the prefault power transfer level and the MMC blocking delay have the most significant impacts on the surge arrester energy discharge under dc-side line-to-ground faults in the MMC–HVDC link. The study results also provide essential information for the design of the MMC–HVDC link components.

IEEE Standard 1547 defines grid connection standards for distributed resources (DRs). This standard sets requirements for harmonic performance, which are particularly relevant when converter-interfaced DRs are considered. Specifically, the standard limits the allowable harmonic current injected by a DR, assuming grid voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC) is harmonic free. In this paper, it is demonstrated, both mathematically and experimentally, that the harmonic current injection of a converter-interfaced DR depends highly on the level of PCC background voltage. This paper presents a mathematical formulation that enables the impact of PCC voltage harmonics on the harmonic current injection of a converter-interfaced DR to be determined via experimental identification of the converters frequency coupling matrix. Experimental tests show that an IEEE 1547-compliant solar inverter with measured total demand distortion (TDD) of 0.66% for an undistorted PCC can produce TDD levels in excess of 20% in the presence of 3% voltage distortion. It is concluded that TDD metrics, as employed in IEEE Standard 1547, provide little insight into the field performance of converter-interfaced DRs when background voltage harmonics are present. Improved FCM-based metrics for assessing the harmonic performance of converter-interfaced DRs in the presence of voltage harmonics are provided.

This paper presents an extended harmonic domain (EHD) model of a wind turbine generator (WTG) system based on a doubly fed induction generator. The proposed EHD WTG model includes both electrical and mechanical subsystems and permits monitoring step-by-step the harmonics time variation; this allows, among other applications, to detect contingency scenarios, such as resonance problems caused by a specific harmonic. Moreover, control efficiency can be improved by means of the power-quality indices which are instantaneously available by the EHD WTG model. The proposed model is capable of accounting for an arbitrary number of harmonics; however, the more harmonics that are included, the larger the system becomes. This affects the central-processing unit time by the transient simulation. An efficient heuristic remedy is proposed in this paper which consists of accounting for “high-impact” harmonics only, based on the converter's frequency spectrum. The EHD WTG model is validated with the power system computer-aided design/electromagnetic transients including dc (PSCAD/EMTDC) software tool via a case study.

The Sandia frequency-shift method, among all frequency-based active islanding detection methods (IDMs), is one of the most effective methods for inverter based distributed generators (DGs). The nondetection zone (NDZ) of the Sandia frequency shift (SFS) highly depends on its design parameters. If the design parameters are not properly tuned, they may result in failure of the method or deterioration of the system power quality (PQ) through injection of a high amount of harmonics. The main objective of this paper is to propose a new algorithm for SFS method parameter determination, which would add precision to the previous parameter design criterion. In this paper, also a new formula for multi-DG applications is proposed which results in optimally setting of all SFS parameters to eliminate NDZ. Using the new criterion, the negative impact of the conventional criterion on PQ is reduced, and the efficiency of the SFS IDM is increased. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm results in more accurate detection of the islanding phenomenon in the shortest possible time. All of the simulations and NDZ analysis are carried out in the MATLAB environment.

This paper extends the previous virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control for voltage-source converters to modular multilevel converters (MMCs). Compared with the ac synchronous generator (SG), the VSG-based MMC is embedded with a power-angle characteristic. Starting from this feature and with reference to the existing ac system coherency-based equivalence methods, this paper proposes a novel coherency equivalence method for MMC used in large-scale renewable energy systems connected to the ac grid. This novel method mainly focuses on the coherency criterion and parameter aggregation methods which have significant differences compared with the ac system methods. The proposed equivalence method is validated on PSCAD/EMTDC and the study results indicate that: 1) the VSG-based MMC model does show the power-angle characteristic similar to the SG model; 2) the proposed coherency criterion can accurately and efficiently classify the paralleled MMC into coherent groups; and 3) the dynamic behaviors of the external systems are preserved after the aggregations of all previous coherency MMC groups.

This paper presents a new multilevel cascaded-type dynamic voltage restorer (MCDVR) with a fault current-limiting function. This topology can operate in two operational modes: 1) a compensation mode for voltage fluctuations and unbalances and 2) short-circuit current-limiting mode. The current-limiting function of the MCDVR is performed by activating antiparallel thyristors during the short-circuit fault, and deactivating them during normal operation. The mathematical model of the MCDVR system is also established in this paper. The control scheme design and optimal parameter selection are outlined based on the detailed theoretical analysis of the converter. The transient states of the MCDVR in the compensation mode and current-limiting mode are also analyzed. Simulation results based on the PSCAD/EMTDC software, and experimental results on a laboratory setup help to validate the proposed topology and the theoretical analysis.

This paper deals with an ac–ac voltage regulator/compensator based on a hybrid transformer with a matrix converter realizing electrical coupling in the hybrid transformer unit. The parameters of electrical energy, such as voltage amplitude, are very important, particularly from the viewpoint of the final consumer and sensitive loads connected to the grid. Furthermore, a hybrid transformer using a matrix converter can be used for power-flow control and for transient stability improvement in ac transmission systems. Active power flow and voltage magnitude in transmission lines can vary by using a conventional mechanical or thyristor-controlled regulator. However, the control parameters can be executed only in steps depending on the taps available in the electromagnetic transformer. An approach for obtaining continuous control of the voltage magnitude and phase shift using a conventional transformer with two windings and a pulsewidth-modulated matrix converter is presented in this paper. The operating principles and steady-state properties are discussed. Detailed computer simulation results are presented in this paper. Furthermore, experimental test results obtained from a three-phase 3 kVA laboratory model are also presented.

In this paper, a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) operation scheme of the modular multilevel converter adopting clamp double submodules (CDSM-MMC) during a pole-to-pole dc fault is proposed. By analyzing the current paths of a CDSM, this paper proposes three new operation states of the CDSM, which allow the CDSM to provide bipolar voltages when the arm current that flows through it is negative. Through control of the CDSMs to operate in these new states along with the blocked state, the arms of the CDSM-MMC can operate alternately in two different modes, that is, the conducting mode and blocked mode even when the dc-link voltage drops to zero. Thus, the CDSM-MMC is capable of working as a STATCOM during a dc fault. Moreover, a control strategy of the dc-fault STATCOM operation mode is designed to control the reactive power provided by the CDSM-MMC, to limit the dc fault current, and to reserve and balance the energies stored in capacitors. Simulation results conducted in PSCAD/EMTDC demonstrate the validity of the proposed STATCOM operation scheme and control strategy of the CDSM-MMC during a pole-to-pole dc fault.

This paper primarily addresses the subject of reducing outages or reducing the outage duration, auto-restoration applications for transmission substations, (where “transmission” is defined as 69 kV and higher), and the subject of proactively preventing outages. This paper is a summary of the report of K3-WG for transmission systems. The contribution of this paper includes the presentation of the state-of-the-art, practical techniques and measures for preventing and reducing outages in transmission substations which, if properly adopted, can significantly improve transmission system reliability.

This paper presents the results of a comparative analysis among three methods for attributing responsibilities of voltage unbalance in the electrical network, namely, the IEC, three-phase power flow, and conforming and nonconforming currents methods. To do this, computational and experimental simulations are carried out based on employing a system comprised of a perfectly transposed transmission line and two loads that are not always balanced. The cases selected for this study also permit the identification of the main advantages and disadvantages of each method under evaluation. This work is characterized as a topic of great interest to the regulatory agencies responsible for establishing regulations, and for utilities and consumers. It is relevant because by using the methods investigated in this paper, the identification of the sources, which generates unbalance, the division of responsibilities, and the application of penalties due to limit transgression will be possible.

Powers of three-phase aggregates of single-phase static linear loads supplied with a nonsinusoidal voltage are the subject of this paper. It is demonstrated in this paper that the supply current of such systems with a nonsinusoidal voltage can be decomposed into six mutually orthogonal components associated with distinctive physical phenomena in the load, two of which do not exist at a sinusoidal voltage. Such decomposition enables evaluation of contribution of these phenomena to the supply-current rms value increase and the power factor decline. A power equation and definitions of powers in such systems in the presence of voltage harmonics are proposed. This paper shows that all powers can be expressed in terms of load parameters, which can be identified by a measurement at the load terminals.

The lightning-related outages remain a significant factor affecting overhead-line reliability in the Israel Electric Co. (IECo) Power Grid 170 kV. The estimates derived for years 2000–2013 show that the actual failure rate for some lines does considerably exceed the accepted indices. This paper reports on the lightning study whose primary goal was to examine relevant environmental data, including topography, tower footing resistance, and lightning incidence records provided by the IECo lightning location system. This paper presents long-term monitoring experience and local statistical data patterns gained for cloud-to-ground return strokes. The 295 outage-related flashes (265 of negative and 30 of positive polarity) were identified in the IECo database. The median peak current of the negative and positive flashes causing line outages is $-$ 12.0 kA and $+$ 26 kA, respectively. The local tower footing resistances are found to be lognormal distributed with a median of 4.77 $\Omega$ and an SD of 1.44. The findings imply that revealed failure currents statistics, in combination with local route topography, are key factors controlling shielding performance of IECo lines. The acquired data will be involved in further case studies on IECo lines.

Current-transformer (CT) saturation phenomenon impacts the performance of the current-based protective relays and leads them to malfunction; so detecting and resolving such phenomenon are important issues in power system protection. This paper provides a modification for two well-established algorithms: 1) least square error and 2) artificial neural network to compensate and reconstruct CT's distorted secondary current waveform (CTDISCW). The effectiveness of an online algorithm is its operating capability in noisy environments and in the presence of travelling waves generated by any event. In addition, this algorithm must be stable against any normal variation in network structure. Then, both mentioned methods need to be modified to present proper results with an acceptable error in online conditions. In this paper, a real CT is considered to simulate, and a section of the Iranian power network is selected to generate CTDISCWs using the modeled CT, and to evaluate the proposed algorithms’ performance.

This paper proposes a robust frequency-domain method to tune the $d$ – $q$ decoupled control system used in Modular Multilevel Converter-type Voltage Source Converter (MMC-VSC) systems. A linearized state-space model of the MMC-VSC system is developed and used to calculate the stability-related frequency-domain attributes. The controller design problem is formulated as an optimization problem. In this paper, the simulated annealing optimization technique is applied to find the proportional-integral (PI) controller parameters that give desired damping for the oscillatory modes and desired values for decaying exponential modes. The efficacy of this method is tested on the electromagnetic transient model of a two-terminal MMC-VSC system on the real-time digital simulators, and the results are provided in this paper. Finally, tuned controller parameters for different ac system strengths are discussed and it is shown that this mathematical model is suitable to tune the PI-controller parameters for MMC-VSC systems connected to strong as well as weak ac networks.

This paper presents an approach based on the use of transformer no-load and light load current harmonic analysis to detect the presence of an interturn fault at the incipient stage. The presence of fault is detected by performing a trend analysis of specific harmonic components and primary current magnitude. Transformer testing methods suffer from a common drawback of offline nature and require an expert opinion for accurate condition assessment. This paper presents a method that transforms no-load current harmonic analysis, which is a special test for transformer testing, into an online method at light load conditions. Thus, the necessity of complete shutdown and dependency on expert opinion is eliminated since it only requires one reference signature per phase. The proposed approach is verified for different vector groups of the three-phase core-type transformer and three independent units connected in star-star and for a fault on the low-voltage or high-voltage winding of the transformer. The presented experimentation shows that the proposed approach can detect the presence of a fault at an incipient stage involving less than 2% of turns and fault current up to 1 p.u. A case study is presented that validates the method for the transformer of a higher power rating.

This paper presents a simple modulation index-dependent Thevenin equivalent circuit model of the voltage-source converters (VSCs) and the associated anti-parallel diode rectifier. The model derivation uses orthogonal transformation and a transformer analogy to transfer impedances to the dc side of the converter. The paper proposes a switched equivalent representation of a three-phase diode rectifier formed due to the antiparallel diodes when VSC switching is inhibited. The proposed model is implemented in Alternate Transients Program–Electromagnetic Transients Program and simulation results are compared with the switched model. The proposed model is shown to under predict the fault currents for pole-ground (PG) faults and to provide a nearly exact match for pole-pole faults. The rectifier equivalent provides increased accuracy in the transient region with the inclusion of the source inductance. A multiterminal dc (MTDC) system model is used to study effects of aggregation which gives increased accuracy of the equivalent circuit. It is shown that the MTDC system simulation with the proposed Thevenin equivalent is about 3 times faster than full-switched circuit simulation for a time step of 5 $\mu$ s. The MTDC system simulation with the Thevenin equivalent circuit is still accurate and 126 times faster when the time step is increased to 750 $\mu$ s.

In this paper, we propose an idea to integrate more renewable energy into the existing China power grid and to provide remote islands with a reliable power supply. The idea is to expand the existing point-to-point line-commutated converter (LCC) HVDC transmission link into a hybrid multiterminal HVDC (hybrid MTDC) system, which contains LCC stations and voltage-source converter (VSC) stations. Accordingly, this paper proposes a novel control strategy for this system called active voltage feedback control, which does not need any high-speed communication system under various disturbances, such as wind speed variations, load fluctuations, faults, etc. This paper also adds secondary frequency regulation to the synchronverter, which is one way of combining the VSC converter with synchronous machine behavior. Then, this paper applies an approach to limit its current under fault conditions. Finally, the entire hybrid MTDC system is modeled in PSCAD/EMTDC. Simulation results show that the improved synchronverter is able to achieve secondary frequency control, and the presented active voltage feedback control works very well when exposed to various disturbances.

This paper deals with nonunit protection of HVDC grids by proposing a set of parameters that characterizes the open protection zones together with an efficient method to determine the thresholds on these parameters. Selective HVDC grid protection schemes must detect and discriminate faults within the first milliseconds of the fault transient and consequently differ considerably from existing ac protection schemes. Due to the accompanying speed requirement, primary protection is expected to be based on open protection zones as communication delay impedes fast operation. In this paper, the principles of the nonunit protection scheme are developed based on reflection of a traveling wave at an inductive termination. Next, the method to obtain the protection scheme thresholds is elaborated. The method accurately calculates the thresholds for HVDC grids with an arbitrary topology. A sensitivity analysis of these thresholds toward grid and fault parameters demonstrates the applicability of the proposed protection scheme in cable-based HVDC grids with inductive cable termination. The results obtained with the reduced grid model are validated by comparison against simulations using a detailed model implemented in PSCAD.

Series impedance and shunt admittance parameters of transmission lines are fundamental data for various online and offline power system studies. This paper shows that the active power, reactive power, and voltage magnitude ( $P$ , $Q$ , $V$ ) data measured at the two ends of a transmission line are sufficient to determine the positive-sequence line parameters. The phase-angle information is not essential. Since the $P$ , $Q$ , and $V$ data are readily available from the supervisory control and data-acquisition systems, the proposed method can be easily implemented in existing control centers. Algorithms, characteristics, performances, and potential applications of the proposed method are presented in this paper. Simulation study and field test results show that the proposed technique can be a useful addition to the energy-management systems of utility companies.

This paper develops a simplified phasor model for predicting harmonics present at the point of common coupling between a voltage-source power converter and the utility network. It employs the frequency coupling matrix (FCM) modeling technique. The FCM is experimentally determined without requiring access to converter internal details, such as control and output filter parameters, which are generally not available for converters used in distributed generation systems. Experimental measurements are conducted on a commercially available two-stage, three phase, grid-tied photovoltaic inverter to assess the accuracy of experimentally determined FCMs to predict the harmonic behavior of grid-connected converters. This paper considers two grid conditions for the experimental analysis: 1) when the grid is stiff and contains only background voltage harmonics and 2) when the grid contains harmonic grid impedances as well as background voltage harmonics. In all cases, a close match between the results predicted by the FCM approach and experimental measurements is achieved, thus demonstrating the practical viability of using experimentally determined FCM models for harmonic predictions.

This paper deals with those measures against overvoltage taken when protecting buildings occupied by people or animals. Such overvoltages can appear in the case of ground fault if the grounding system of the building is located within a potential funnel of a transmission tower's grounding system. This paper presents an entire concept regarding protection against any potential rise within the building. Computations of electrical potential on the grounding system having been performed using data obtained by measurements. This includes equipotential bonding, overvoltage protection of the building, and a transformer substation with metal–oxide varistors and gas-discharge arresters installed on the low-voltage line. A simulation model for the entire overvoltage protection based on known mathematical models has been merged within this paper. Adequate overvoltage protection elements were selected for protection against potential rises in the grounding systems of buildings on the basis of computation results.

Digital relays are capable of computing the negative-sequence current on both primary and secondary sides of the transformer along with the phase difference between these two negative-sequence currents. By using both phase and magnitude information, negative-sequence current could be used to detect minor turn-to-turn faults involving 3% of the transformer's windings or more. Turn-to-turn faults may still occur even if no current is flowing on one side of the transformer, such as during energization. With no current flowing in the secondary windings of the transformer, negative-sequence current-based algorithms become insensitive. This paper introduces a relay prototype, using both negative-sequence current and negative-sequence voltage, which retains its sensitivity during energization. The relay's performance for several commonly encountered system scenarios, such as overexcitation, current-transformer saturation, nonzero fault resistance, transformer energization, and external faults were also examined. The experimental results presented in this paper indicate that the algorithm proposed in this paper is faster and more sensitive than restrained current differential protection and is capable of detecting turn-to-turn faults occurring during transformer energization.

This paper presents the analysis of possible transient overvoltages that can be generated during vacuum circuit-breaker (VCB) operation at the connection point of a photovoltaic powerplant. A typical switching event that is related to the VCB concerns energization and de-energization of the unloaded transformer. However, at the typical photovoltaic powerplant, the transformer is fed by an inverter equipped with LC (or LCL) filters that are necessary for limitation of harmonics and ripple in voltage and current. From the point of view of switching operations, the inductance and capacitance of the low-voltage (LV)-side connected filter affect the natural frequency of the transformer, which is reflected by different transient system response during VCB operation. In this paper, laboratory measurement of overvoltages generated during distribution transformer switching by means of VCBs is analyzed. The impact of the LC filter connected at the LV side on the overvoltages suppression was studied. Electromagnetic Transients Program–Alternative Transients Program simulations were conducted in order to verify the possibility of transients elimination by means of the additional series-connected RL choke at the transformer medium-voltage side.

The objective of this paper is to present a 126-kV/40-kA–2500-A single-break vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) and its type test results based on the IEC 62271-100: 2006 and GB1984-2003 standards. A single-break 126-kV vacuum interrupter (VI), with a pair of 2/3 coil-type contacts, is used in the 126-kV VCB. The external insulation of the VI is provided by ${\rm SF}_{6}$ at 0.1 MPa. A spring-type operating mechanism is used to provide a closing velocity of 1.15 m/s, which is an average velocity for 4 mm before the moving contact mates with the stationary contact. The opening velocity within 20 mm, which is 1/3 of a full contact stroke of 60 mm, is 3.5 m/s. Two kinds of test circuits are used in the type tests to verify the making and breaking capabilities of this 126-kV VCB prototype. One is a direct test circuit for test duty cycles, such as out-of-phase making and breaking test duties, that is, OP1 and OP2; capacitive current switching test of class C1, that is, CC1/LC1 and CC2/LC2. The other is a synthetic circuit, used for tests, such as the terminal fault test, the short-line fault test, the double earth fault test, and the electrical endurance test of class E2. The dielectric tests of a 230-kV/1 min power frequency voltage withstand test and a 550-kV lightning impulse voltage withstand test were used to verify the dielectric withstand performance of the VCB. Experiment results presented in this paper showed that the 126-kV/40 kA–2500 A single-break VCB passed the type tests according to IEC 62271-100 and GB1984-2003.

Systematic principal component analysis (PCA) methods are presented in this paper for reliable islanding detection for power systems with significant penetration of distributed generations (DGs), where synchrophasors recorded by Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) are used for system monitoring. Existing islanding detection methods such as Rate-of-change-of frequency (ROCOF) and Vector Shift are fast for processing local information, however with the growth in installed capacity of DGs, they suffer from several drawbacks. Incumbent genset islanding detection cannot distinguish a system wide disturbance from an islanding event, leading to mal-operation. The problem is even more significant when the grid does not have sufficient inertia to limit frequency divergences in the system fault/stress due to the high penetration of DGs. To tackle such problems, this paper introduces PCA methods for islanding detection. Simple control chart is established for intuitive visualization of the transients. A Recursive PCA (RPCA) scheme is proposed as a reliable extension of the PCA method to reduce the false alarms for time-varying process. To further reduce the computational burden, the approximate linear dependence condition (ALDC) errors are calculated to update the associated PCA model. The proposed PCA and RPCA methods are verified by detecting abnormal transients occurring in the UK utility network.

The emerging trend for electric utilities to install wind-based generation on a large scale into distribution networks, employing a doubly fed induction generator or full-converter turbine technologies is raising issues for distribution planning engineers with regard to flicker among other power-quality (PQ) issues. This paper investigates dynamic volt/var control, a viable flicker mitigation technique which exploits the reactive power capabilities of modern power-electronic interfaced wind turbine generators. Dynamic volt/var control essentially mitigates flicker by solely dispatching reactive power based on voltage fluctuations within the flicker frequency band. This technique can be incorporated as part of a wind farm multiobjective reactive power-control scheme, which facilitates regulating: 1) the voltage level at the point of common coupling (PCC), employing slow-acting voltage control or power factor control and 2) the flicker level at the PCC with fast-acting dynamic volt/var control. This two-level approach can reduce the wind farm flicker level up to 80% and maintains the voltage level at the PCC well within acceptable bands. The results presented in this paper focus on a typical 25-kV medium-voltage distribution feeder integrating wind-based generation on a large scale. The performance of the two-level controller was tested for varying levels of penetration and wind speed conditions. The applicable standards and utility grid-code requirements are considered throughout.

This paper compares the application of the Weibull distribution and the Crow-AMSAA (C-A) model to the analysis of cable joint failures. The procedures on how to use the two models to analyze failure data and to predict the future number of failures have been described before the models are applied to a set of early failure data. The data, which include 16 failures and 1126 suspensions, were collected from a regional power-supply company in China. This paper proves that the Weibull distribution provides more reliable results in the analysis of early-failure data since it considers the time to failure of each event. Whilst the method is more straightforward and requires less information, applying the C-A model can yield confusing results if not handled carefully. When analyzing the events, using time as x-axis and using the cable joint population as an axis can complement each other. Separating those data into subsections and analyzing them independently can yield useful information. Recent failure data can better reflect the current state of cable joints. The results of this paper should help utility asset managers better analyze their past failure events.

This paper investigates on a new concept for very-fast transient overvoltages (VFTOs) attenuation in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). The concept, first introduced by the authors in this paper, involves modification of the GIS disconnector contact system in order to dissipate the VFTO energy in damping elements placed inside the GIS busbar conductor. The concept is an alternative to the state-of-the-art method where magnetic rings are placed in the space between the GIS conductor and the enclosure. The proposed arrangement has no impact on the damping element on the dielectric design of the GIS busbar, and it highly reduces the impact on the GIS thermal design. This paper presents analyses which show feasibility of the concept, through 1) principles which govern voltage conditions inside the GIS busbar and 2) full-Maxwell finite-element method electromagnetic simulations of VFTO attenuated with the use of the proposed concept.

This paper highlights an immediate need for renewable generation developers, manufacturers, utilities and industry standardization institutes to jointly address a challenge of capacitor switching transient immunity in inverter-based wind or solar farms. The need was identified from wide-area operation records which showed partial or full generation loss in coincidence with routine utility-owned capacitor switching. The lack of a clear industry guideline has caused confusion to all involved parties. This paper recommends all entities to address this challenge collaboratively through enhanced equipment specification, design, and test before a well-defined industry guideline becomes available.

A coupled computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and heat-transfer model for an ice-covered fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) hot stick, elaborated in a previous study, could well explain why the flow of partial-discharge current could be sufficient to raise the temperature of an iced pollution layer just below freezing, where the cold-fog flashover mechanism prevails. However, the ice-covered hot stick was modeled as a solid “ice rod” having an equivalent cross section of ice, meaning that the exposed ice surface is smaller in the model compared to reality. In addition, the simulations were performed for a relatively low wind speed of 1 m/s, while average wind speeds of 6.1–14.4 m/s were reported for the two Manitoba flashovers. Both of these problems are addressed in this paper to deal with the site incident conditions. The ice cover is considered as a thin layer having a thickness of 1 mm on the FRP hot stick. The effects of wind speeds of 0.1–15 m/s and wind direction as parallel and perpendicular to the ice-covered FRP hot stick are studied. This paper also presents experimental investigations on the most reliable reproduction of four separate FRP hot stick flashover incidents in Canada achieved at CIGELE laboratories.

Having unveiled the problems associated with distance protection of lines connected to full-scale converter-interfaced renewable energy power plants (CIREPPs) due to remote and intermediate infeed in Part I of this paper, Part II describes why the countermeasures currently deployed by commercial relays to tackle these problems in a conventional power system fail in the presence of a CIREPP. Then, a new formula to calculate impedance is devised for the phase element of the relay to prevent maloperation in the event of line-to-line to ground faults. In addition, a communication-assisted method with minimal bandwidth requirement is proposed for balanced and line-to-line faults. The issues that should be taken into consideration for single-line-to-ground faults are also discussed. The solutions presented in this paper are simple and independent of the host system grid code, and can be applied to industrial memory-polarized distance relays. A comprehensive performance evaluation is presented to verify the reliable operation of the proposed methods.

This paper presents a new control strategy for a distributed static compensator (also known as distributed STATCOM or DSTATCOM), configured to regulate the reactive (VAr) flow at a point in a transmission system. This new control strategy takes into account the operating VAr limits of that reactive flow in determining the steady-state output of the DSTATCOM. The new control strategy applies a slow reset regulator (SRR) to slowly bias the VAr set point of the DSTATCOM master controller to maintain its steady-state output within a target bandwidth. The operating result maintains an appropriate VAr reserve level from the DSTATCOM for dynamic events in the system. This paper also presents a new algorithm to calculate the operating constraints of the SRR that reflect the VAr flow at the local or remote point in the transmission system and the allowable VAr thresholds for that flow. These allowable thresholds can be utilized to the full extent to lower the steady-state output of the DSTATCOM, maximize its VAr reserve for dynamic events and reduce equipment and associated system operating losses. Modeling, implementation, and simulation of an engineering project show that the new control strategy and algorithm are functioning properly as expected.

This paper focuses on the parameter estimation of transmission lines which is an essential prerequisite for system studies and relay settings. Synchrophasor measurements have shown promising potentials for the transmission line parameter estimation. Majority of existing techniques entail existence of phasor measurement units (PMUs) at both ends of a given transmission line; however, this assumption rarely holds true in nowadays power networks with few installed PMUs. In this paper, a practical technique is proposed for the estimation of transmission line parameters while the required data are phasor measurements at one end of a given line and conventional magnitude measurements at the other end. The proposed method is thus on the basis of joint PMU and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) measurements. A non-linear weighted least-square error (NWLSE) algorithm is employed for the maximum-likelihood estimation of parameters. The approach is initially devised for simple transmission lines with two terminals; then, it is extended for three-terminal lines. Numerical studies encompassing two- and three-terminal lines are conducted through software and hardware simulations. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of new technique and verify its applicability in present power networks.

This paper proposes a novel method for detecting parasitic dc components in ac grids. The method uses a parallel-connected sensing reactor and a low-cost digital signal processor. From the reactor current, the algorithm derives a sum of even harmonics, considering at the same time their phase shift with respect to the fundamental. The method is insensitive to the measurement noise and offset, and it does not require additional passive filters. Precision better than 100 μV in 0.4-kV grids is maintained over a wide range of ac voltages. This paper details the detection method, provides the guidelines for the reactor design, and includes the key implementation details related to the signal acquisition-sampling and digital processing. High precision of the new sensor is thoroughly verified on an experimental setup connected to a 0.4-kV grid.

Lightning is a substantial cause that leads to serious lightning failures, which has a significant influence on the normal operation of the entire power grid. This paper mainly focused on several regions of China with serious lightning activity, presenting the lightning performance of power grids by statistics obtained from long-term monitoring data, and intended to indicate some general characteristics. The lightning tripout rate, the shielding failure tripout ratio, the occurrence frequency corresponding tripout failures of different phases of single-circuit or double-circuit transmission lines, and the multicircuit simultaneous tripout failures of multicircuit transmission lines were analyzed. These statistical results presented a panorama of the lightning protection effect of transmission lines in China. The statistical data in this paper are informative to guide the future research or engineering practice of lightning protection of transmission lines, and will be helpful to evaluate the analysis methods of lightning performance of transmission lines.

Synchrophasor Standards have evolved since the first one was introduced in 1995, IEEE 1344-1995. IEEE Standard C37.118-2005 introduced the evaluation of measurement accuracy under steady state conditions and interference rejection. It also defined a messaging system for communication of phasor data. In 2009, the IEEE started a joint project with IEC to harmonize real time communications defined in C37.118 with the IEC 61850 communication standard. This led to the need to split the C37.118 into two standards, one for communication and one for measurements. This paper presents an overview of IEEE Standard C37.118.1-2011, which includes the measurement part of the previous standard. This standard strengthens the 2005 steady-state requirements and extends them to include measurement performance under dynamic system conditions. Frequency and rate of change of frequency (ROCOF) measurement was defined and requirements for these measurements were also added. Amendment IEEE Std. C37.118.1a-2014 modified some performance requirements. These changes are also included in this paper.

For an LCC–MMC hybrid HVDC transmission system with reverse current blocking diodes, this paper presents a method for dc-side harmonic current calculation and dc-loop impedance calculation. First, in the calculation of dc-side harmonic currents, the line-commutated converter at the rectifier side is replaced by the three-pulse harmonic voltage sources; the modular multilevel converter is represented by an equivalent passive circuit based on the linearization theory; an improved calculating method for the coupled line model is introduced into calculating the admittance matrix of the dc transmission lines to improve the computational efficiency; and then this paper describes the complete procedures of the proposed method. Second, based on the dc-side equivalent models mentioned before and the nodal voltage analysis method, this paper presents an analytical method for the calculation of dc-loop impedance according to the definition of dc-loop impedance Finally, the PSCAD/EMTDC simulation verifications have been carried out based on a 1500 MW/ ${+} 500$ kV MMC-HVDC system, a 3000-MW/ ${\pm}$ 500-kV LCC–MMC hybrid HVDC system, and its dc network. The simulation results and the analytical results coincide with each other, and the effectiveness of the proposed methods is proved.

A modular multilevel converter control system, based on converter energy storage, is proposed in this paper for two different control modes: active power and dc voltage. The proposed control system decouples the submodule (SM) capacitor voltages from the dc bus voltage. One of the practical applications is the management of active redundant SMs. A practical HVDC system with 401-level MMCs, including 10% redundancy in MMC SMs, is used for validating and demonstrating the advantages of the proposed control system. This paper also presents a novel capacitor voltage balancing control based on $\max$ – $\min$ functions. It is used to drastically reduce the number of switchings for each SM and enhances computational efficiency.

AC overvoltage emerges on dc buses of a magnetically controlled shunt reactor when a turn-to-turn fault occurs within the control winding (CtrW). Overvoltage protections are thus employed. However, this paper addresses a problem in the application of overvoltage protection against CtrW turn-to-turn faults where such a protective scheme may operate in an unacceptable time delay or even malfunction in some fault cases. It is shown that the ac overvoltage on dc buses during a turn-to-turn fault tends to be intermittent voltage spikes rather than standard sinusoidal waveform, and the fault feature may even not exist in some cases. The cause of the problem is investigated in this paper by dividing the operating state for the excitation system into three stages. It is proved that the appearance of overvoltage on dc buses is dependent on zero-crossing of the total control current. Simulation results and physical model tests have demonstrated the theoretical analysis in this paper. Moreover, a new protective scheme that is capable of detecting a 2% CtrW turn-to-turn fault by using the fundamental component in the total control current is proposed.