EE 467
Power Systems Operation & Control
UNIT 1 – HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF
ELECTRICAL POWER NETWORK
Dr E. K. Anto
Jan 2014
[email protected]//0208201565; 0243225858
Learning Objectives
• Understand the hierarchical structure of the electric power system
• Know the basic underlying principles adopted in power system
operation and control
• Understand the correlation between regulation of system
frequency and control of real/active power
• Understand the correlation between voltage regulation and
reactive power flows and control
• Have better insight into measures for cost-effective, optimum
operation of power systems.
2
Course Outline
• UNIT 1: Hierarchical Structure of The Electric Power Network
• UNIT 2: Frequency and Active Load Control – Issue of Maintenance of
Active Power Balance
• UNIT 3: Voltage and Reactive Load Control – Issue of Maintenance of
Reactive Power Balance
• UNIT 4: Maintaining Optimum Power Routing – The Load Flow Analysis
• UNIT 5: Maintaining Optimum Generation Schedule – Economic Power
Dispatch
• UNIT 6: Controllability of Electric Power Systems
3
•Start of UNIT 1
4
•HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF
THE ELECTRIC POWER NETWORK
5
Unit 1 – CONTENTS
• Introduction – The Electric Power System Network
• Generation System
• Transmission and Distribution Systems
• Demand Variations / Load Curve / Load Profile
• Reliability and Reserve Margin
• Load Characterization
6
•THE ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM NETWORK
7
1.1: Introduction – The Electric Power System
Network
• An electric power system is a complex configuration of systems and
networks that provide consumers with power.
• Network configuration refers to a diagrammatic representation of
interconnections between electric power stations and load centers.
• The overall bulk power system comprise four basic/main subsystems:
1) Generation
2) Transmission
3) Distribution
4) Loads
• In addition, there is usually an INTERMEDIATE NETWORK, connecting the
transmission and distribution systems, and is called the SUB-TRANSMISSION
SYSTEMS
8
1.1: Introduction – The Electric Power System
Network (2)
• The illustration below shows a VERY SIMPLE HYPOTHETICAL single-
generator power system network
9
1.1: Introduction – The Electric Power System
Network (3)
• All the PORTIONS of the power system OPERATE AT DIFFERENT
VOLTAGE LEVELS, as summarized below.
• TYPICAL VOLTAGE RANGES are:
I. Generation - 12 kV to 30 kV (14.4 kV for Akosombo)
II. Transmission - 115 kV to 800 kV (161 kV for Ghana)
III. Sub-transmission - 66 kV to 138 kV (the value depends
on the country or system)
IV. Distribution - 11.5 kV to 34.5 kV
V. Load (Consumers) - 240 V (1-phase) and 415 V (3-phase)
• However, LARGE CUSTOMERS, such as the MINES AND SOME BIG
INDUSTRIES, are SUPPLIED POWER AT THE SUB-TRANSMISSION VOLTAGE
LEVEL.
10
•THE GENERATION SYSTEM
11
1.2 Generation System
• It might not be PRACTICALLY FEASIBLE to generate electric
energy AT THE LOCATION of its use.
• Local generation may be UNACCEPTABLE for a number of
reasons: (i) economic, (ii) environmental and (iii) reliability
reasons.
• CONSEQUENTLY, in power systems, the POWER STATION or
power-generation equipment is USUALLY LOCATED AT SOME
DISTANCE FROM THE POINTS OF CONSUMPTION of power.
• The electricity is normally generated in bulk quantities.
12
1.2 Generation System (2)
• There are several sources of power generation.
• The SOURCES include:
➢hydro,
➢fossil fuels (gas, diesel, etc.),
➢nuclear,
➢renewables (solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, micro-hydro,etc.)
• A successful operation of the power system requires
knowledge of the different characteristics of the different types
of power generation.
13
1.2.1 Restrictions that arise /what to be mindful of
during day-to-day operation of power system
1. Limitations of fuel (water storage or river flow for hydro
plant) or (oil, gas for thermal plant)
2. Start-up Time
3. Transmission System Loading
4. Plant or Line Planned Outages
5. Economics of power production
6. Load forecast
14
•THE TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTRION SYSTEMS
15
1.3 Transmission and Distribution Systems
• The transmission and distribution systems are basically the
mediums of power transfer from one place to another
• Even though they perform similar functions, the terms “transmit”
and “distribute” have DIFFERENT/UNIQUE TECHNICAL
MEANINGS.
• The essential technical difference between transmission and
distribution lines, has to do with the following:
i. Power-handling capability
ii. Distance to be covered and
iii. Voltage level.
16
1.3 Transmission and Distribution Systems (2)
• The “TRANSMISSION SYSTEM” has the following CHARACTERISTIC
FEATURES:
i. It is meant for BULK POWER (IN MW OR GW) transfer
ii. It does so OVER LONG DISTANCES (OVER 100 KM) from
generation facilities to distribution centers, called bulk power
distribution substations.
iii. Transmission lines usually OPERATE AT HIGHER VOLTAGES (OF THE
ORDER OF 110 KV TO 500 KV OR MORE).
• It is NOT ADVISABLE TO TRANSMIT directly such bulk power AT THE
VOLTAGE LEVELS GENERATED DIRECTLY IN THE ROTATING MACHINES
(generally up to about 30 kV), because of:
➢High losses
➢Voltage drops
17
1.3.1 Interconnection of power systems –
SOME ADVANTAGES
1. Allows power trade with neighbouring countries
2. Buying of power from a neighbouring system when insufficient
generation is available.
3. Buying of power when the neighbouring system can supply it more
economically than adding generation into one’s own system
4. Selling of excess generation to neighbouring utilities, both for
economic reasons and to aid during emergencies
5. Increase in the overall reliability of supply to the customer
6. Resulting in total power generation at the least cost, another
benefit to the customer
18
•DEMAND VARIATIONS/LOAD CURVES/
LOAD PROFILES
19
1.4 Demand Variations / Load Curve / Load Profile
• Customer demand for electricity (i.e., the load) is not constant, but rather
varies both throughout the day and throughout the year, as customers
switch on and off electrical appliances and equipment.
• Intra-day demand variations are driven by the underlying consumption
patterns of different customers (such as residential, commercial and
industrial)
➢Residential customers are characterized by small, highly variable demands
➢Commercial customers are characterized by mid-sized moderately variable demands
➢Industrial customers are characterized by large consistent demands
• It is actually the consumers’ demand that determines how much power is
generated.
20
•RELIABILITY AND RESERVE MARGIN
21
1.5 Reliability and Reserve Margin
• Power system planners and operators allow necessary redundancies
or EXCESS CAPACITY for critical elements.
• If the SYSTEM CAPACITY IS EXACTLY EQUAL TO THE DEMAND, there
can be NET POWER SHORTAGE for either of the FOLLOWING REASONS:
i. in the event of even just one power plant not being able to operate
(GENERATION DEFICIT) as usual OR
ii. there is a sudden increase in demand (EXCESS DEMAND).
• The EXCESS CAPACITY basically is needed as it helps to maintain the
reliability of the power system, as it ENSURES that there is
GENERATION SURPLUS, that is more supply available than the total
load or demand.
• The level of redundancy in generation supply is expressed as a
RESERVE MARGIN.
22
1.5 Reliability and Reserve Margin (2)
• SPINNING RESERVE is the term used to describe the total amount
of generation available from all units synchronized (i.e. spinning)
to the system, minus the present load being supplied and losses
• The RESERVE MARGIN is the amount by which generation
exceeds the projected peak demand, usually EXPRESSED AS A
PERCENTAGE OF THE PEAK DEMAND.
• The reserve margin is typically between 15-20 %.
23
1.5 Reliability and Reserve Margin (3)
• A HIGH RESERVE MARGIN means that the power system will be
better able to withstand any of these situations:
i. Unexpected loss of one or more generation plants (generation
deficit) OR
ii. Unexpected increases in load growth (excess demand)
24
•LOAD CHARACTERIZATION
25
1.6 Load Characterization
• Generally, the term “load” refers to a device or conglomeration of
devices that tap energy from the network.
• The various load devices may fall into the following categories:
i. Motor devices (motive loads)
ii. Heating equipment (impedance loads)
iii. Lighting equipment (impedance loads)
iv. Diversity of electronic gear (impedance loads)
26
Thank You – End of Unit 1
For any concerns, please contact
[email protected] [email protected] 0322 191132
Jan 2014
