Generation Interconnection Research Articles

The Facility Planning and Electric Power Quality of the Saroma Lake Green Microgrid by the Interconnection of Tidal Power Generation, PV and SOFC

The Facility Planning and Electric Power Quality of the Saroma Lake Green Microgrid by the Interconnection of Tidal Power Generation, PV and SOFC

Synchronous Distributed Generation Islanding Protection Using Intelligent Relays

Islanding protection is an essential and one of the more challenging aspect of distributed generation interconnection protection. This article demonstrates how intelligent relays, employing multivariate analysis and data mining techniques, can be used for the islanding protection of synchronous distributed generation in the presence of high-speed reclosing. The developed methodology is outlined and its application is illustrated for a number of diverse system operating states. The performance of the intelligent relays is assessed and compared against currently used islanding protection devices.

Impact of Wind Power Development on Transmission Planning at Midwest ISO

The Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) has experienced significant amounts of wind power development within the last decade. The MISO footprint spans the majority of the upper Midwest region of the country, from the Dakotas to Indiana and as far east as Michigan. These areas have a rich wind energy resource. States in the MISO footprint have passed laws or set goals that require load serving entities to supply a portion of their load using renewable energy. In order to meet these requirements, significant investments are needed to build the transmission infrastructure necessary to deliver the power from these often remote wind energy resources to the load centers. This paper presents some of the transmission planning related work done at MISO which was largely influenced by current and future needs for increased wind power generation in the footprint. Specifically, topics covered are generator interconnection, long-term planning coordination, and cost-allocation for new transmission lines.

Highly Reliable and Manufacturable Ultrafine Pitch Cu–Cu Interconnections for Chip-Last Embedding With Chip-First Benefits

Flip-chip packaging of Ultrafine pitch integrated circuits aggravates the stress-strain concerns as the interconnection pitch is decreased, requiring a fundamentally different system approach to interconnections, underfill processes and interfaces, and the substrate. This paper demonstrates an innovative and manufacturable solution to achieve excellent reliability at Ultrafine pitch (~30 μm) using direct copper-copper (Cu-Cu) interconnections with adhesives. A number of 30-μm bump pitch test vehicles (TVs) were designed with 3 mm × 3 mm chips to extract both daisy chain resistance and single-bump resistance data. Assembled bump resistivity was found to be ~ 3-4× lower than most solders. Performance of these TVs was studied for high temperature storage (HTS) life test, unbiased-highly accelerated stress test (U-HAST) and thermal cycling test (TCT). Test results showed that the assemblies with this next generation interconnection technology depicted excellent reliability results in HTS, U-HAST, and TCT tests. Based on these results, it is concluded that adhesive materials, provide unique opportunities for Ultrafine pitch and high performance interconnections.

Third-Party Access to Generator-Owned Interconnection Facilities: FERC Seeks the Right Balance

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering whether to change its policy governing third-party access to generator interconnection facilities owned by generation projects. Currently, owners of these facilities must file an open access transmission tariff upon receiving a request for transmission service from a third party, but may obtain priority rights for service over the facilities under certain circumstances. Project developers have argued that this policy does not sufficiently protect their interests and may discourage the development of needed transmission facilities to connect resources to the grid.

Analyzing the Impacts of Wind Generator on the Optimal Coordination of Overcurrent Relays

Wind generator and distribution systems after interconnection would change the short circuit fault characteristics of the original system and may lead to protection relay malfunctions, and review of the protection coordination. It is necessary to research the impact of existing protection strategies for distribution systems after wind generator interconnection. Linear programming methods were adopted for this study to review the coordination problems among feeder circuit breaker, lateral circuit breaker, and power fuse after radial distribution systems and wind generator interconnections.

Escalating Challenges in Developing Complex Solutions for Next Generation Package and Interconnect Technologies

There are several application and device trends driving IC package development today. Among the most prevalent are:- Form factor reduction for handheld devices- Increased functionality requiring higher bandwidth- Higher power dissipation- Higher operating frequencies resulting in reduced electrical noise margins- Increased use of sensors- Full conversion to green material sets- Silicon node progression. These trends occur concurrently in many applications, which often results in conflicting requirements. In addition, the market continues to apply relentless pricing pressure on the supply chain. Hence, simple, cost-effective solutions are mandatory. This presentation will highlight packaging technology developments that address the device and application trends listed above. Several innovative packaging platforms will be discussed:- Copper pillar CSP and BGA- Through Mold Via Package on Package (TMV ® PoP)- Flip Chip Molded BGA (FCMBGA)- Wafer Level CSP- Through Silicon Via CSP and BGA. In each case a clear value proposition will be presented, along with key supporting data. It is truly an exciting time to be part of the industry solving complex packaging and interconnect challenges.

The Effect of Glycine and Benzotriazole on Corrosion and Polishing Properties of Cobalt in Acid Slurry

Cobalt has caused much interest as an adhesion layer for copper metallization in the next generation interconnect technology. This work investigates the effects of glycine and BTA on corrosion and polishing properties of Co in the acid slurry. The potentiodynamic polarization measurement results show that glycine can increase the corrosion rate of Co. In the solution containing H2O2, adding glycine can make the Co surface smoother. In the slurry without H2O2, BTA shows good inhibition effect on Co corrosion. BTA can adsorb on the Co surface through physisorption and chemisorption, and obeys Langmuir absorption isotherm. In the acid slurry with H2O2, BTA will react with Co2+ ions and form insoluble networked nanoparticles ([Co(II)(BTA)2·H2O]n) on the Co surface, and induce reduction of the removal rate and static etch rate of Co.

Comparison of Photovoltaic Power Generation Interconnection Standards

Smart Grid is one of the hot research directions of power system. How to interconnect the new energy power generation with power system safely and reliably is a major challenge in the development of Smart Grid. New energy power generation interconnection standards are the technology base, which will push the development of smart grid. This paper compares the photovoltaic power generation interconnection standards of home and abroad mainly. It points out the inadequacy of existing standards and that the photovoltaic power generation interconnection standards should focus on power quality, protection and control. This paper can be provided as a reference to improve existing standards and establish interconnection standards of other form new energy generation.

Optimizing traditional urban network architectures to increase distributed generation connection

Distribution networks have always been planned for end users and without many concerns about distributed generations. Their function is to supply all the consumers ensuring good continuity of supply and service quality. Following this objective, distribution network operators converge to a small amount of architectures and operation rules depending on the degree of service quality and the initial investment desired. An increasing connection of distributed generations to the distribution network raises technical problems and brings planning rules to be no more optimal. Business as usual solutions currently used are not economic and may finally become insufficient. A deep review of existing planning tools should be required to find efficient solutions to increase the distributed generation interconnection. This paper proposes a heuristic method able to optimize current French architecture features (amount of feeders, choice of consumers connected to them) in order to increase distributed generation penetration. A real urban network has been used to validate this methodology.

Optimal sizing of distributed resources in micro grid with loss of power supply probability technology by using breeding particle swarm optimization

The deregulated energy environment, among other effects, has favored a gradual transition from centralized power generation to distributed generation sources connected at the medium voltage or low voltage side of the distribution network. Interconnection of small, modular generations and energy storages of low or medium voltage distribution systems forms a new type of power system, which called the micro grid (MG). This paper has developed a methodology of performing the optimal unit sizing for distributed energy resources in MG. The methodology aims at finding the configuration, among a set of systems components, which meets the desired system reliability requirements, with the minimum cost of energy (COE). Other than solar and wind energies, in this study the biogas power plant and the use of urban waste for producing electricity power are considered. The size of biogas power plant is calculated according to available municipal waste. The micro grid system is connected to the utility and can sale its extra produced power to utility. In first step, accurate mathematical models for characterizing standalone photovoltaic module, wind generator, biogas plant, and battery bank are proposed. In second step, based on a breeding particle swarm optimization algorithm, one optimal sizing method is developed to calculate the optimum system configuration that can achieve the customers required loss of power supply probability with a minimum COE. By this methodology, we can analyze MG

Methodology for assessing the impacts of distributed generation interconnection

This paper proposes a methodology for identifying and assessing the impact of distributed generation interconnection on distribution systems using Monte Carlo techniques. This methodology consists of two analysis schemes: a technical analysis, which evaluates the reliability conditions of the distribution system; on the other hand, an economic analysis that evaluates the financial impacts on the electric utility and its customers, according to the system reliability level. The proposed methodology was applied to an IEEE test distribution system, considering different operation schemes for the distributed generation interconnection. The application of each one of these schemes provided significant improvements regarding the reliability and important economic benefits for the electric utility. However, such schemes resulted in negative profitability levels for certain customers, therefore, regulatory measures and bilateral contracts were proposed which would provide a solution for this kind of problem.

A Novel Hybrid Network Architecture to Increase DG Insertion in Electrical Distribution Systems

Distribution networks will experience a deep mutation concerning their planning and operation rules due to the expected increase of distributed generation (DG) interconnection to the grid. Indeed, the opening of the electricity market or the growing global concern for environmental issues will lead to a massive development of DGs. Yet, a too large amount of DGs could raise technical problems on distribution networks which have not been planned to operate with bi-directional power flow. The existing solutions to solve marginal DG connections could be no longer relevant. The distribution network definitely has to evolve towards a smarter and more flexible network. Two possible ways to reach this goal are through new architectures and developing intelligent systems. This paper focuses on new architectures and operating modes. The traditional radial distribution network could accept more DGs by introducing appropriately specific loops. A new hybrid structure enabling the coexistence of the radial and meshed operation is proposed. It is equipped with autonomous circuit-breakers and automated switches that improve its reliability. A heuristic algorithm is also proposed to build this new architecture while ensuring the equality of consumers with respect to the continuity of service and while minimizing the global cost.

Wind-Power Generation

The connection of significant amounts of wind-power generation at a point on the power system (distribution and subtransmission circuits) never designed for the interconnection of generation presents significant technical problems for both the utility and wind-generator consulting engineers. This article highlights these technical problems, many of which have no standard solutions but only choices with undesirable drawbacks.

Distributed Generation Interconnection Planning: A Wind Power Case Study

There is increasing requests for noncontrollable distribution generation (DG) interconnections in the medium and low voltage networks. Many studies have suggested that with proper system planning, DG could provide benefits such as reliability enhancement, investment deferment, and reduced losses. However, without network reinforcements, the allowable interconnection capacity in a network is often restricted due to fault current level, voltage variation, and power flow constraints. This paper aims to address the issue of optimizing network operation and use for accommodating DG integrations. A new DG interconnection planning study framework that includes a coordinated feeder reconfiguration and voltage control to calculate the maximum allowable DG capacity at a given node in the distribution network is presented. A binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO) technique is employed to solve the discrete nonlinear optimization problem and possible uncertainties associated with volatile renewable DG resource and loads are incorporated through a stochastic simulation approach. Comprehensive case studies are conducted to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method. Numerical examples suggest that the method and procedure used in the current DG interconnection impact study should be modified in order to optimize the existing grid operation and usage to facilitate customer participation in system operation and planning.

Direct interconnection of offshore electricity generators

Stringent grid codes imposed by transmission system operators (TSOs) have led wind turbine manufacturers to overdesign their products. As an individual power generator, each single wind turbine has to meet those regulations. However, in a “farm” like configuration, a different approach can be taken. This paper describes how renewable energy generator units can be simplified in order to bring manufacturing and maintenance costs down and increase reliability. Synchronisation challenges were addressed using special control algorithms to overcome issues not present in the case of synchronising generators having controllable prime movers (diesel engine, turbines etc.). In the case of wind turbines, the wind is the prime mover and is not controllable. A brief description of a prototype is given and data has been extracted from the rig as well as from modelling.

A Modest Proposal: A Market-Based Approach to Generation Interconnection Process Reform

Rather than allocating queue positions and priority processing rights using a “first-come, first-served” or some other administratively determined allocation scheme, a more robust and defensible proposal would allocate queue positions and processing priority to developers who value them the most because they have the highest marginal costs of delay or waiting. Such an approach could be structured as a price-based auction.

A Framework to Provide Quality of Service over Advanced Switching

Advanced Switching (AS) is a network technology that expands the capabilities of PCI-Express adding new features like peer-to-peer communication. Together, PCI Express and AS have the potential for building the next generation interconnects. Furthermore, the provision of Quality of Service (QoS) in computing and communication environments is currently the focus of much discussion and research in industry and academia. In this paper we propose a framework to provide QoS based on bandwidth, latency, and jitter over AS employing the mechanisms provided by AS. We also present several implementations for the output scheduling mechanism. Finally, we evaluate our proposals by simulation, comparing the performance of the schedulers that we propose and their implementation complexity.

A Secondary Voltage Control Strategy for Transmission Level Interconnection of Wind Generation

This paper addresses implementation issues associated with secondary voltage control in a doubly-fed induction generator based wind farm. The effects of different system parameters on the performance of the control are considered, namely the short circuit ratio of the interconnection and the inherent communication delay between the wind park and the remote bus. In addition, a strategy for allocation reactive power requirements to each of the generators within the wind park is proposed. The system is developed and simulated for a wind park consisting of six wind generators connected to a typical transmission system. The paper proposes an optimal tracking secondary voltage control method developed to achieve effective voltage regulation, enhance the network voltage profile and provide optimal reactive power compensation to the interconnected power system. The performance of the controller is compared with secondary voltage control at one selected bus, primary voltage control and the optimal voltage profile obtained from the optimal power flow analysis. The performance of the controllers is tested for steady state operation and in response to system contingencies, taking into account the impact of communication time delays and short circuit ratio (SCRs). Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the capability of the controllers to provide the desired reactive power compensation and voltage support to the electric power grid.

An Investigation on the Nondetection Zones of Synchronous Distributed Generation Anti-Islanding Protection

Anti-islanding protection is an important technical requirement when interconnecting distributed generators. Unfortunately, most anti-islanding protection schemes cannot detect islanding situations under certain system operating conditions - there are nondetection zones within which anti-islanding protection schemes are ineffective. This paper investigates these nondetection zones associated with the common anti-islanding protection schemes of synchronous distributed generators: frequency and voltage-based relays. Moreover, the characteristics of the nondetection zones and the key factors that influence them are analyzed. The results are useful for utility companies and distributed generators owners to design and to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-islanding protection schemes proposed for various distributed generation interconnection projects.