Grid Integration of Renewables

环境保护意识的增强和全球减少温室气体排放的愿望导致电网中可再生能源（RE）的利用率更高。因此，电网正在从基于化石燃料的发电机转向更靠近消费者的小型本地嵌入式可再生能源发电机。放松管制也增加了竞争，提高了效率和节约。此外，随着不同技术（如电力系统、电力电子、信息技术、通信和传感器）的融合，电网现在可以转变为一个真正的智能电网（SG），能够通过智能管理系统以高度协调的方式运行，充分发挥其潜力。我的多学科研究项目集中于系统研究，以展示/促进SG实施和整合可再生能源资源的机会/弱点。要研究的问题涉及：1。馈线中的双向潮流影响着频繁的通电/断电循环的电网组件。由于电能质量问题，这将导致设备寿命缩短。此外，双向潮流以一种从未设计过的方式强调传统保护设备。需要新的保护系统来提供可靠、安全和可靠的电网性能。2. 需要新的SG组件（即故障电流限制器、转换开关、传感器、保护和同步设备）来协调传统设备和现代设备的电网集成。通信设备，连同传感器和信号处理，将在SG未来的运行中发挥关键作用。3. RE集成问题需要多级转换器（带有先进的控制器）将间歇性可变电压，可变频率源的电力输入到以固定电压和固定频率运行的电网中。保护和需求管理（CDM）将利用存储组件和使用时间控制器。此外，资源惯性的缺乏将影响SG的动态性能。虽然向SG的转型已经开始，但其全面实施可能需要数十年才能达到预期的操作灵活性、安全性和效率水平。这项研究将对电力公司、顾问和设备制造商有用。它将使电力系统规划者、运营商和调试成员受益。这项研究将为HQP培训提供机会，并鼓励与公用事业、顾问和制造商的合作。所产生的知识产权将提供对SG行为和操作的更深入的了解，并指导未来对基础设施的投资，以更新老化的传统电网组件。

Increased awareness for environmental preservation and a global desire to reduce green house gas (GHG) emissions has resulted in a higher utilization of renewable energy (RE) in the electrical grid. Consequently, the electrical grid is changing from fossil-fuel based generators to smaller locally-embedded RE generators closer to the consumer. Deregulation has also caused increased competition and improved efficiency and conservation. Furthermore, with the convergence of different technologies (such as power systems, power electronics, information technology, communication and sensors), the grid can now be transformed into a truly smart grid (SG) capable of operating in a highly coordinated manner through intelligent management systems to realize its full potential. My multi-disciplinary research program concentrates on system studies to demonstrate/promote the opportunities/weaknesses in the SG implementation and integration of RE sources. The problems to be studied relate to: 1. Two-way power flow in the feeders impacts grid components which are subjected to frequent energizing/de-energizing cycles. This leads to reduced equipment life-span due to resulting power quality issues. Furthermore, two-way power flow stresses legacy protection equipment in a way that they were never designed for. New protection systems are needed to provide reliable, safe and secure performance from the grid. 2. New SG components (i.e. fault current limiters, transfer switches, sensors, protection and synchronizing equipment) are needed to coordinate the grid integration of both legacy and modern equipment. Communication equipment, together with sensors and signal processing, will play a crucial role in the future operation of the SG. 3. RE integration issues need multi-level converters (with their advanced controllers) to feed in power from intermittent variable-voltage, variable-frequency sources into a grid that is operating at a fixed-voltage and fixed-frequency. Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) will be taking advantage of storage components and Time-of-Use controllers. Furthermore, lack of inertia from RE sources will affect the dynamic performance of the SG. Although transformation towards the SG has already begun, its full implementation may take decades before reaching its desired level of operational flexibility, security and efficiency. This research will be useful for power utilities, consultants and equipment manufacturers. It will benefit power system planners, operators and commissioning members. This research will provide opportunities for HQP training and encourage collaboration with utilities, consultants and manufacturers. The intellectual property generated will provide deeper insight into SG behavior and operation and guide the future investments in infrastructure for the renewal of aging legacy-grid components.