Analysis and Synthesis of Smart Wires in an Electric Power System

Abstract

When electric current overloading on the power system occurs, utilities often rely on traditional methods such as line upgrades or other system improvements for mitigation. Traditional methods often require major capital investment, multi-year lead times, and a fixed project scope. Operating conditions can often change with less than a year notice, particularly in today’s current regulatory environment. Smart Wires offers a flexible approach to mitigate line overload conditions and congestion by means of changing the reactive impedance, granting the ability to transform the energy grid into a dynamically controlled system better positioned to deal with intermittent resources. This thesis addresses a problem shown in a power flow study that reveals overload conditions due to changes in power generation. This research presents a Smart Wires solution as an effective means to mitigate the overload conditions. Smart Wires offers three products: PowerLine Guardian, Power Guardian, and Smart Valve. The Smart Valve is the best option as a solution for the problem statement when considering weight and number of devices. In order to ensure successful implementation of this technology, it needs to be tested and simulated properly. Automation is used in order to determine how many power flow control devices are needed and to consider the longevity of the solution. Longevity is primarily influenced by load growth, and graphical evidence is given for a solution lasting up to 20 years. This thesis addresses the challenges that can arise from a transmission line whose reactive impedance varies depending on settings. Finally, the problem of time scale analysis and synthesis of the transmission line, with and without Smart Wires, is addressed.