Xichen Jiang with adviser A. Domínguez-García The integration of renewable resources, such as wind and solar, introduces generation uncertainties in the power system since these power sources are intermittent and difficult to forecast. Such uncertainties invariably affect system operations across all time scales—from day-ahead scheduling to automatic generation control—and across all subsystems, including transmission and […]
Fault Detection and Isolation in Switched Linear Systems and Applications
Madi Zholbaryssov with adviser A. Domínguez-Garcí We propose a fault detection and isolation (FDI) method for switched linear systems. The method builds on using an observer-based FDI filter developed for linear time-invariant systems. If certain conditions are satisfied, then it is possible to apply this filter to switched linear systems. When system parameters slowly change, […]
Impact of Cyber Events on Power System Performance
Jiangmeng Zhang with adviser A. Domínguez-García Information technology (IT) systems are increasingly being incorporated into power systems as a result of visions, such as the US Department of Energy Smart Grid. As a consequence, there is a tighter coupling between physical and cyber components. This raises new challenges in power system operations. Automatic generation control […]
Measurement-Based Estimation of Linear Sensitivity Distribution Factors and Applications
Christine Chen with adviser A. Domínguez-García Power system operators rely heavily on online studies conducted on a system model obtained offline. The analysis includes the computation of linear sensitivity distribution factors (DFs), which are used, in conjunction with online measurements, to determine whether the system is N-1 secure in near real-time. These studies are not […]
Coordinating Heterogeneous Distributed Energy Resources for Provision of Frequency Regulation Service
Justin Hughes with adviser A. Domínguez-García We discuss a framework for coordinating the response of distributed energy resources (DERs) connected to electric power distribution networks to provide frequency regulation services. These resources include plug-in electric vehicles, thermostatically controlled loads, and micro-turbines. In this framework, we consider an agent or aggregator that participates in the real-time […]
Optimal Tap Settings for Voltage Regulation Transformers in Distribution Networks
Brett Robbins with adviser A. Domínguez-García Tap-changing under-load (TCUL) transformers are commonly used for network voltage regulation in power distribution systems. Traditionally, automatic voltage regulators (AVRs) are equipped to control TCUL tap settings based on local voltage measurements. While this approach is effective for local voltage regulation, it is not optimal for meeting overall system […]
Series-Connected Voltage Domains for Highly-efficient Data Center Power Delivery
Josiah McClurg with adviser R. C. N. Pilawa-Podgurski Today’s ac and dc power distribution architectures must process all the power to be delivered to the load through step-down power converters, which have limited practical conversion efficiencies. Because the data center’s power density is expected to increase, the ideal scenario would be to decouple the conversion […]
Event-Triggered Distributed Generation Control Architecture for Islanded AC Microgrids
Stanton T. Cady with adviser A. Domínguez-García This project develops and implements a distributed control architecture for islander microgrids which replicates the functionality of the centralized control utilized in bulk power systems, i.e., frequency regulation and optimal dispatch. We assume each generator is equipped with a local controller and a wireless transceiver for information exchange […]
Sub-module Differential Processing for Photovoltaic Applications
Shibin Qin with adviser R. C. N. Pilawa-Podgurski This power electronics solution for PV energy harvesting known as differential power processing (DPP) is built around a structure as shown in Fig. 19. The fundamental philosophy of DPP is that the best way to do power conversion is to avoid it as much as possible. In […]
Dithering Digital Ripple Correlation Control for Windowed Sensing for Photovoltaic Maximum Power Point Tracking
Christopher Barth with adviser R. C. N. Pilawa-Podgurski A new maximum power point (MPP) tracking algorithm for use in switching power converters for photovoltaic (PV) applications is developed. To maximize energy harvested from PV panels, it is necessary to operate them at a particular value of current and voltage, the panel (MPP). This point changes […]