Engineering topics

Elizondo, Marcelo A.

Publications and source records attributed to Elizondo, Marcelo A..

9 records

DOE OSTI2026

Generalized Power Flow Model of an Extra High-Power Multi-Terminal HVdc Transmission Grid with Parallel-Connected and Voltage-Stacked Converters

To increase power transfer capacity of high-voltage direct current (HVdc) transmission, a new extra high-power HVdc architecture with multiple standard modular multilevel converters (MMCs) per substation has recently been introduced. This paper proposes a power flow model for a multi-terminal HVdc (MTdc) grid with this innovative substation architecture. The proposed MTdc model can be integrated seamlessly with existing ac-dc power flow algorithms with minimal modifications. The model is applicable to various MTdc grid types and topologies, different numbers of dc buses, dc lines, and MMCs per substation, along with diverse control parameters. In addition, it accurately captures both balanced and unbalanced operations of the MTdc grid. The proposed model is verified using a 5-terminal bipole MTdc grid that spans 4 areas in the Eastern Interconnection system of the USA. The numerical solutions obtained from unified and sequential ac-dc power flow algorithms under different operating conditions closely match the time-domain simulation results in PSCAD, validating the accuracy and versatility of the proposed MTdc power flow model.

Nguyen, Quan H.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Transient Stability Analysis of Direct Droop-Controlled Grid-Forming Inverter with Current Clipping as Current Limiting Control

This paper investigates the transient stability of the direct droop-controlled grid-forming (GFM) inverter which employs the current clipping-based approach for overcurrent limitation. An equivalent circuit model of the direct-droop GFM inverter with current clipping is developed for this purpose. It is shown that during overcurrent conditions, the GFM inverter with current clipping acts as a voltage source with a virtual resistance behind the inverter filters. To compute the parameters of this virtual resistance an analytical expression is given in the paper. Then utilizing the developed circuit, a criteria to exit current limiting during post-fault conditions is given. The developed analytical approaches are then validated through electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation results in PSCAD software and finally concluding remarks are drawn.

Mohiuddin, Sheik Mohammad↗

DOE OSTI2024

Enhancing Short-Term Flexibility through Characterization of HVDC Transmission Systems

Efficient power grid operation hinges on maintaining safety and reliability through adaptable system flexibility standards. However, in a future power grid characterized by extensive renewable energy integration, conventional system flexibility and predetermined requirements may falter under extreme conditions. This paper addresses the formidable challenge of sustaining secure and dependable power grid operations under these circumstances, emphasizing the role of controllable high voltage direct current (HVdc) transmission systems in amplifying overall system flexibility and tackling operational complexities. To quantitatively assess short-term flexibility and its associated economic benefits from HVdc within specific regions, we propose a Power Flow Distribution Factors (PTDFs) based approach. This methodology takes into account both dispatchable generators and HVdc systems, pinpointing their contributions. Through an analysis of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) system, we demonstrate the practical application of this approach to scrutinize the impacts of existing and future HVdc lines.

Operational Flexibility, Multi-terminal HVdc, tran↗

DOE OSTI2024

Improved Transient Stability Analysis of Multi-loop Droop-Controlled Grid Forming Inverters with Current Reference Limiter

Grid-forming control is regarded as a promising technology for achieving high levels of renewable energy integration in future power grids. To fulfill this role, grid-forming devices is expected to possess fault ride through capability. This paper focuses on the transient stability of a droop control-based grid-forming inverter that utilizes current reference saturation as a current limiting strategy. The objective of this work is to investigate the fault recovery process of the grid-forming inverter and analyze the criterion for transitioning the inverter out of the current limiting mode. The theoretical analysis in this study is validated through time-domain simulations, which compare the results obtained using the circuit current limiting method and the d-axis priority-based current limiting method. Various operational conditions are considered to comprehensively evaluate the performance of the grid-forming inverter during a three-phase short circuit scenario. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical approach.

Lyu, Xue↗

DOE OSTI2023

Monte Carlo-based Transmission and Subtransmission Recovery Simulation of Hurricanes

High-impact low-probability (HILP) events can wreak havoc on electric power systems without appropriate preparedness. In this paper, the recent development of a tool, named Recovery Simulator and Analysis (RSA), is described and demonstrated. While there are many issues to consider when recovering electric power systems, the focus of RSA is on the coordination of transmission and subtransmission recovery with generation dispatch to minimize unserved energy. RSA focuses on recovery simulation to evaluate resilience as part of a planning process. RSA is demonstrated on an approximately 1400-bus Puerto Rican power system for 100 simulated instances of Hurricane Maria. Analysis of the recovery determines how many lines are critical to the recovery and which loads may experience delayed recovery. The results demonstrate the potential uses of RSA for identifying recovery decisions with low unserved energy and for identifying assets critical to recovery which can then be hardened prior to a HILP event.

Maloney, Patrick R.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Grid Strength Assessment for High Levels of Inverter-based Resources in the Puerto Rico Power

A system-wide assessment of the Puerto Rico power system grid strength is studied when considering high levels of inverter-based resource penetration. This study is carried out in PSSE and assesses the impact of inverter-based resource (IBR) contributions in response to three-phase ground faults. A hypothetical 100% inverter-based generation scenario is created to assess the extreme impact on short circuit levels and a realistic scenario is considered to assess the impact to short circuit ratios. The overall conclusion is that short circuit capacity and current will drastically decrease in a high IBR scenario, an effect that is quantified in this paper. The short circuit ratio metric is typically used to assess the impact of IBR but generally overestimates grid strength due to not accounting for the impact from multiple IBRs. Other methods such as equivalent circuit based short circuit ratio and weighted short circuit ratio offer a more comprehensive consideration for multiple IBRs and can better account for their mutual interactions. The work presented in this paper is part of the PR100 study.

inverter based resources, PR100, grid strength↗

DOE OSTI2023

Improving Frequency Stability and Minimizing Load Shedding Events by Adopting Grid-Scale Energy Storage with Grid Forming Inverters

The upward adoption trend of renewable generation not only means cleaner energy integrated into modern power grids, but also that most new generation sources are based on front-end inverter bridges, used as interfaces to most wind generation and all the solar PV. It is well known that due to their power electronics-based construction rather than rotational shafts, these sources do not provide inertia inherently, nor substantial amounts of short-circuit currents. However, stable energy such as what can be stored in energy storage systems, although interfaced via inverters, can be controlled to respond to system disturbances in a manner that emulates inertial behavior. This paper focuses on the application of such energy storage systems to augment inertia in the island of Puerto Rico. To do so, a user defined inverter model that contains grid forming capabilities and fast frequency response is modeled and integrated into the real transmission system in power flow and dynamics software. Energy storage is then connected to two selected areas so that it not only provides frequency regulation to avoid widespread load shedding events, but also other tangible benefits. The simulated cases suggest that even relatively small energy storage systems can avert load shedding events if adequately placed in the transmission network.

Grid-forming inverters, IBR, Inertia↗

DOE OSTI2023

Smart Data Mapping for Connecting Power System Model and Geospatial Data

Knowing the geospatial locations of power system model elements is the foundation for analyzing system vulnerability to natural hazards and connecting loads with end users and their communities. However, power system models and geospatial data for power grid assets may have been developed asynchronously without close coordination. Creating a direct mapping between the two may be a challenging task, considering heterogeneous data structures, target uses, historical legacies, and human errors. This work aims to build an automatic data mapping workflow to connect power system model elements and geospatial data for transmission network, and to support energy grid resilience studies for Puerto Rico. The primary steps in this workflow include constructing graphs using geospatial data, and aligning them to the transmission networks defined in the power system data. The results have been evaluated against existing manual mapping practices for part of the Puerto Rico Power Grid model to illustrate the performance of such auto-mapping solutions.

Resilience, geospatial data, grid transmission net↗

DOE OSTI2023

Power System Recovery Coordinated with (Non-)Black-Start Generators

Power restoration is an urgent task after a black-out, and recovery efficiency is critical when quantifying system resilience. Multiple elements should be considered to restore the power system quickly and safely. This paper proposes a recovery model to solve a direct-current optimal power flow (DCOPF) based on mixed-integer linear programming (MILP). Since most of the generators cannot start independently, the interaction between black-start (BS) and non-black-start (NBS) generators must be modeled appropriately. The energization status of the NBS is coordinated with the recovery status of transmission lines, and both of them are modeled as binary variables. Also, only after an NBS unit receives the cranking power through connected transmission lines, will it be allowed to participate in the following system dispatch. The amount of cranking power is estimated as a fixed proportion to the maximum generation capacity. The proposed model is validated on several test systems, as well as a 1393-bus representation system of the Puerto Rican electric power grid. Test results demonstrate how the recovery of NBS units and damaged transmission lines can be optimized, resulting in an efficient and well-coordinated recovery procedure.

Zhao, Meng↗