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Liao, Dahan

Publications and source records attributed to Liao, Dahan.

Impact Analysis of High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse Coupling Effects on Power Grid Protection Relays

Protection relays are important equipment used for protection, control, and metering functions in the power grid. These relays are used to protect critical and difficult-to-replace equipment, like generators, transformers, and capacitor banks. Once the protection devices are disturbed or damaged, a high risk of power generation interruption occurs. Therefore, it is important and necessary to study the relay’s immunity to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) events. As a preliminary step toward empirical experimentation on actual equipment, this manuscript outlines an economical and efficient methodology for evaluating the impact of an EMP. An impedance measurement strategy was employed to model the equipment, setting the stage for subsequent immunity analyses. These analyses included the pulse current injection (PCI) method, which utilized an injecting probe to introduce the transient, and frequency domain electromagnetic (FEKO) simulation, which integrated electromagnetic coupling effects into the transient simulation. The impedance measurement and simulation results in this paper provide a reliable basis for gauging equipment performance in the face of HEMP threats. The results obtained using the PCI and FEKO simulations demonstrated the performance of different port responses under a high-altitude EMP, indicating the requirement for some protection to ensure the reliable operation of relays.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Assessing the vulnerability of solar inverters to EMPs: Port testing, PCI modeling, and protection strategies

Renewable energy sources are becoming an ever-larger contributor to the power grid. These renewable energy sources depend upon the power electronic devices, specifically inverters, being essential for connecting Photovoltaic (PV) generation to the grid. However, the Electromagnetic Pulses (EMPs) caused by the high-altitude nuclear explosions can generate fast broad-band pulses with nanosecond rise time, potentially causing damage or destruction to electronic components. To assess the vulnerability of PV inverters to high-altitude EMPs, the port testing and Pulsed Current Injection (PCI) modeling schemes are proposed based on the port impedance analysis. Wide-band frequency measurements are achieved by fusing impedance results from three vector network analyzers. Then, a PCI model is used to simulate the induced response to EMP, with two typical immunity levels of EC5 and EC8 tested. Here, the experiment successfully excites the induced voltage and current under EMP, where the voltage and current can reach 1500V/40A and 8000V/150Aunder EC5 andEC8, respectively. The port vulnerability analysis results demonstrate that only some ports can survive under EC5. To defend against the impact of EMP, three protection strategies are discussed.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Modeling, testing, and mitigation of electromagnetic pulse on PV systems

Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) poses a significant threat to the normal operation of power systems, especially with the increasing penetration of renewable energy. Without adequate protection, EMP can severely damage equipment or result in circuit breakdowns or short circuits. Solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities are particularly susceptible to EMP since PV systems are outdoors and exposed to EMP radiation. To assess and mitigate this threat, this paper summarizes various models and tests used to study the effects of EMP on PV systems, assesses the nature of the threat, and identifies measures to mitigate it. The paper provides a comprehensive review by categorizing analytical methods based on their pros and cons, introducing and describing EMP-related events, and providing a taxonomy of analytical methods for studying EMP. This paper compares the processes of modeling, testing, and mitigating EMP at both the component and system levels of PV systems. Furthermore, it also presents a case study that reveals the vulnerability of solar inverters to EMP using the pulse current injection method. Finally, the paper discusses some of the remaining challenges that should be considered in future solar PV system design and deployment.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗