Technical Presentations

Dynamic Overvoltage Conditions Experienced at a PV Solar Power Plant838

Abstract
We present the results from an investigation of the cause of dynamic overvoltage conditions experienced at a solar power plant, that resulted from energizing the PV solar plant 34.5 kV collection syst... see moreem feeders using a back-up diesel generator. The diesel generator unit was installed at the solar plant for emergency back-up power to the project, in case of power outage from the connecting transmission utility system.
The back-up power source was provided to allow the operation of the solar power tracking system during emergency conditions. A subsequent study was performed using EMTP software program, to investigate the cause of these dynamic overvoltage conditions at the solar power plant. A detailed transient model of the solar plant and the diesel generator were developed using EMTP.


The EMTP simulations were useful in replicating the overvoltage event measurement recordings from the site, and the simulation results from the study, concluded that the diesel generator did not have sufficient capability to pick up capacitive loads and therefore, the unit was unable to control the overvoltage conditions which led to the overvoltage event that caused equipment damage to the PV inverters and their auxiliary systems. The study evaluated various solution alternatives and mitigation strategies to reduce these dynamic overvoltages to acceptable conditions.

Tag(s): pv park, tov, diesel generator, temporary overvoltage

Ground Fault Overvoltage with Inverter-Based Distributed Energy Resources841

Abstract
A Ground Fault Overvoltage (GFO) can occur in situations where an ungrounded transmission line and associated ungrounded transmission equipment is energized from distribution connected Distributed En... see moreergy Resource (DER) during a transmission single-phase-to-ground (SLG) fault. The condition could result in 1.73 pu overvoltage on phase to ground connected equipment which will be sustained until the DER ceases to energize the substation distribution transformer. Transmission equipment on the isolated circuit will be subjected to the above phase to ground overvoltage, also if there is frequency shift, the isolating transmission circuit breakers could potentially see up to 2.73 pu phase to ground overvoltage. Such an overvoltage can cause damage to customer or utility equipment and must be avoided. GFO concerns are already becoming a barrier to large-scale DER deployment either by posing low hosting capacity or by necessitating installation of costly mitigation equipment. Utilities need to study GFO risks and identify low-cost mitigation options to enable large-scale DER deployment. Given the fundamental differences in mechanisms and phenomena driving a GFO under DERs, classical GFO analysis methods do not apply to inverters, and advanced simulation methods and tools are required.


This presentation highlights EPRI’s work on GFO analysis, concerns, and evaluation of mitigation options using EMTP. The objective is to determine if or when high DER penetration presents a GFO problem and how to prioritize the mitigation and equipment evaluation. This includes evaluating the impact lightning arresters can have in reducing or clamping the overvoltage, the application and performance of high voltage substation overvoltage protection, and DER on-board voltage/frequency protection. The presentation further provides modeling recommendations for such a study using EMTP. As DER deployment increases, utilities will need to perform similar analysis to identify potential overvoltage risks and develop low-cost mitigation methods. This work provides a basis for such a study.

Tag(s): gfov, tov, ibr, DER, inverter, islanding, load rejection, inverter based resources

TOV for renewable, evaluating three different grounding technologies783

Abstract
Temporary overvoltages (TOV) are oscillatory overvoltages mainly caused by switching or faults, which are of relatively long duration and undamped or slightly damped. Maximum overvoltages under faulte... see mored conditions can require considerable energy magnitudes absorbed by surge arresters.
These energies may overpass maximum limits and lead to equipment damage.

This project presented a study to identify the maximum TOV at the MV equipment of a PV power plant during fault-clearing events. Two methods of TOV suppression are evaluated, including grounding transformers and fast grounding switches under two different configuraions. An electrical model was elaborated in EMTP to perform the simulation of the transient overvoltage due to the un-balanced fault clearance, considering each inverter of the PV plant. The results show that considering no grounding technologies at the feeders, the energy absorption limit is overpassed in the islanded system.

Therefore, a fast grounding switch or a system with grounding technology at each feeder is needed in order to protect the substation equipment.

Use of EMTP in Transmission Planning Research772

Abstract
The initiation of inverter-based generation (IBG), has been changing the characteristics of the grid. The addition of non-traditional generation sources gives rise to several grid concerns, such as re... see moreduced short-circuit fault current capacity and system inertia as well as ineffective voltage regulation. Because of this – the use of EMT studies has been becoming more common to accommodate “special” studies. This presentation will just highlight a few examples of the use of EMTP in transmission level planning.

Performance of conventional sources vs Inverter based source during power system faults771

Abstract
This presentation will contract the performance of conventional power source to those of inverter based resources (IBR) and how this impacts the performance of traditional protection devices.