Juan A. Martinez’s research while affiliated with Polytechnic University of Catalonia and other places

The optimum design of power system components is becoming a relevant topic in power system studies. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are considered as a proper approach for optimisation problems in which non-linear elements are involved. Several trends are presently leading GAs to a new level; for instance, its combination with parallel computing can facilitate the solution of problems where individual evaluations of the fitness function require an important computational effort. This study presents a procedure based on a MATLAB-EMTP application and the usage of a multicore environment for the optimum selection of hybrid high-voltage DC (HVDC) circuit breaker parameters; the goal is to obtain a transient response of the hybrid design with voltages, currents and fault clearance times within specified limits.

This paper introduces a new realization for a phase-domain line model and proposes methodologies to increase its numerical performance. The new realization is based on the management of complex poles that may arise when deriving rational models by means of second-order states. The accuracy and numerical performance of the proposed realization is assessed through its application to representative examples and the comparison against other methodologies. It is demonstrated that the proposed methodology can increase substantially the numerical efficiency of the model.

To interrupt a current in a DC system where the feeding voltage is higher than a few kilovolt is a challenge. One popular solution today is the hybrid DC-breaker where a semiconductor is bypassed by a mechanical switch in normal operation to decrease the on-state losses. This paper presents an experimental study of the commutation from the mechanical switch to a parallel diode and IGBT. Three sets of tests were performed with six different current levels between 50 and 450 A. The test circuit consists of a capacitor bank as an energy source, a current limiting inductor, and the breaker. As the pre-charged capacitor bank is discharged through the current limiting inductor, the current will rise linearly, similar to the fault current in a stiff DC system. It was seen that with a very low stray inductance in the commutation loop, the commutation occurs in some ten microseconds just after the contact separation. Due to the small contact separation, the contacts might regain metallic contact again, causing the commutation to stop until the contacts separate again and the arc reignites. Longer arcing times were studied by introducing a larger inductance in the commutation loop. For currents of some hundred amperes, the arc voltage is fairly independent of the current level, but increases with increasing contact separation resulting in an increasing current derivative and a faster commutation. Finally the commutation and interruption of a current in a hybrid DC-breaker with an IGBT was demonstrated.

This task force paper summarizes the state-of-the-art real-time digital simulation concepts and technologies that are used for the analysis, design, and testing of the electric power system and its apparatus. This paper highlights the main building blocks of the real-time simulator, i.e., hardware, software, input-output systems, modeling, and solution techniques, interfacing capabilities to external hardware and various applications. It covers the most commonly used real-time digital simulators in both industry and academia. A comprehensive list of the real-time simulators is provided in a tabular review. The objective of this paper is to summarize salient features of various real-time simulators, so that the reader can benefit from understanding the relevant technologies and their applications, which will be presented in a separate paper.

Ferroresonance is one of the most destructive transient phenomena in power systems. This complex phenomenon involves the association of nonlinear magnetizing inductances and capacitances, and may be initiated in many different ways, which makes its characterization very difficult. This work links EMTP and MATLAB and presents some computer tools that have been developed for assessing ferroresonance behavior. These tools allow users to visualize 2-D and 3-D bifurcation diagrams which can be used for performing sensitivity analysis, predicting the phenomenon at different stages, and finding safety zones for power system parameter design.

This paper presents the work carried out by the IEEE Working Group on field-measured overvoltages and their analysis for validating power system component models to be used in switching transients studies. The work uses measurement data obtained from field tests performed by Bonneville Power Administration in June 1995 where switching overvoltages were measured on one of its 230 kV lines. This paper includes a description of the switching tests and the main results derived from field measurements. Details of the switching procedures that were followed to calibrate component models used to match field-recorded waveforms can be found in the Part II paper.

This paper presents a procedure for estimating the optimum allocation of distributed generation (DG) units in large distribution systems by using a multicore computing environment. The main goal of this work is to explore the application of a refined parallel Monte Carlo method for energy loss minimization in three-phase distribution systems when considering the intermittent nature of some distributed resources and the time varying shape of the loads. The procedure has been implemented in an open environment in which OpenDSS is driven from MATLAB. Some examples illustrate the scope of the proposed procedure.

This paper presents a custom-made model of photovoltaic (PV) generator and a simple procedure for estimating the optimum allocation of PV generation units in distribution systems. The approach is based on a single-target model in which the objective is loss minimization. This work explores the application of a Monte Carlo method for loss minimization in a three-phase distribution system when considering the time varying shape of the node loads and that only solar generation is connected to the system. The procedure has been implemented in an open software platform in which OpenDSS is driven from MATLAB and uses a multicore distributed computing environment.