Full metadata
Title
The impact of increased penetration of photovoltaic generation on smart grids
Description
With the rapid growth of power systems and the concomitant technological advancements, the goal of achieving smart grids is no longer a vision but a foreseeable reality. Hence, the existing grids are undergoing infrastructural modifications to achieve the diverse characteristics of a smart grid. While there are many subjects associated with the operation of smart grids, this dissertation addresses two important aspects of smart grids: increased penetration of renewable resources, and increased reliance on sensor systems to improve reliability and performance of critical power system components. Present renewable portfolio standards are changing both structural and performance characteristics of power systems by replacing conventional generation with alternate energy resources such as photovoltaic (PV) systems. The present study investigates the impact of increased penetration of PV systems on steady state performance as well as transient stability of a large power system which is a portion of the Western U.S. interconnection. Utility scale and residential rooftop PVs are added to replace a portion of conventional generation resources. While steady state voltages are observed under various PV penetration levels, the impact of reduced inertia on transient stability performance is also examined. The simulation results obtained effectively identify both detrimental and beneficial impacts of increased PV penetration both for steady state stability and transient stability performance. With increased penetration of the renewable energy resources, and with the current loading scenario, more transmission system components such as transformers and circuit breakers are subject to increased stress and overloading. This research work explores the feasibility of increasing system reliability by applying condition monitoring systems to selected circuit breakers and transformers. A very important feature of smart grid technology is that this philosophy decreases maintenance costs by deploying condition monitoring systems that inform the operator of impending failures; or the approach can ameliorate problematic conditions. A method to identify the most critical transformers and circuit breakers with the aid of contingency ranking methods is presented in this study. The work reported in this dissertation parallels an industry sponsored study in which a considerable level of industry input and industry reported concerns are reflected.
Date Created
2012
Contributors
- Eftekharnejad, Sara (Author)
- Heydt, Gerald (Thesis advisor)
- Vittal, Vijay (Thesis advisor)
- Si, Jennie (Committee member)
- Tylavsky, Daniel (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
xix, 227 p. : ill. (some col.)
Language
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.15888
Statement of Responsibility
by Sara Eftekharnejad
Description Source
Viewed on Aug. 29, 2013
Level of coding
full
Note
Partial requirement for: Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2012
Note type
thesis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 200-207)
Note type
bibliography
Field of study: Electrical engineering
System Created
- 2013-01-17 06:36:16
System Modified
- 2021-08-30 01:44:17
- 2 years 7 months ago
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