Abstract: An electric power system includes a generating unit, which includes a controller for controlling an operational mode of the generating unit. The electric power system also includes an event estimator communicatively coupled to the controller of the generating unit and a network estimator communicatively coupled to the event estimator. The network estimator includes a processor configured to receive status information associated with the electric power system, determine, based upon the status information, at least one characteristic of the electric power system, and transmit the at least one characteristic to the event estimator.

Abstract: An electric power system includes a generating unit, which includes a controller for controlling an operational mode of the generating unit. The electric power system also includes an event estimator communicatively coupled to the controller of the generating unit and a network estimator communicatively coupled to the event estimator. The network estimator includes a processor configured to receive status information associated with the electric power system, determine, based upon the status information, at least one characteristic of the electric power system, and transmit the at least one characteristic to the event estimator.

Abstract: A method for compensating self-induced voltage variations includes computing a first reactive power value (Q1), obtaining a voltage value at a point of interconnection (POI) between at least one power source and a power grid, comparing the voltage value with one or more pre-defined voltage limits, computing at least one compensation factor (CF) corresponding to at least one portion of the first reactive power value (Q1) based on an output of the comparison between the voltage value and the one or more pre-defined voltage limits, computing a second reactive power value (Q2) as a function of the at least one portion of the first reactive power value (Q1) and the at least one CF, generating a reactive power compensation command based on the computed second reactive power value (Q2), and transmitting the reactive power compensation command to a power converter.

Abstract: A power distribution system for providing a desired value of voltage regulation is presented. The system includes at least one power source, at least one sink, a distribution feeder configured to couple the at least one power source to the at least one sink. The system includes a plurality of modular voltage regulation units coupled to the distribution feeder, where each of the plurality of modular voltage regulation units includes a transformer including a primary winding having a first end and a second end and a secondary winding having a first end and a second end; and at least one switch coupled to the primary winding of the transformer, where the first end of the secondary winding is coupled to at least one of the first and second ends of the primary winding via the at least one switch. A method of operating a power distribution system is also presented.

Abstract: A system includes an eddy current brake. The eddy current brake includes a back plate and a first inductor. The first inductor includes a pole coupled to the back plate and a winding disposed about the pole, wherein the winding is configured to conduct an electric current to generate a magnetic field. At least one of the back plate and the pole 104 includes a plurality of laminations.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a generator operatively coupled to an engine for generating electrical power and supplying the electrical power to a grid. Further, the power generation system includes a resistive braking system operatively coupled between the generator and the grid. The resistive braking system includes a mechanical switch connected in parallel with a resistor, and a controller for, in response to a grid event, controlling power from the engine and operating the mechanical switch to redirect current between the mechanical switch and the parallel connected resistor.

Abstract: An electric power system includes an OLTC transformer including a plurality of primary and secondary windings inductively coupled to each other. The electric power system includes at least one on-load tap changer coupled to at least one of the primary and secondary windings that is selectively configurable to regulate the portion of the primary and secondary windings inductively coupled to each other. The electric power system also includes a plurality of buses coupled to the transformer and are positioned downstream therefrom. The electric power system further includes at least one processor coupled to the tap changer configured to regulate a voltage bandwidth of the tap changer as a function of estimated voltage values of at least one bus as estimated based on a priori values of power/current transmitted through each bus. The a priori values are substantially based on measured power/current transmission through the on-load tap changer.

Abstract: A power system for offshore application includes a plurality of power circuits. Each of the power circuit includes an alternating current (AC) bus which supplies power to an auxiliary load and is connected to a generator. The power circuit further includes a first direct current (DC) bus having a first DC voltage supplying power to a first load and a second DC bus having a second DC voltage supplying power to a second load. The power circuit also includes a first DC to DC converter coupled between the first DC bus and the second DC bus, wherein the first DC to DC converter is configured for bidirectional power flow and an AC to DC converter coupled between the AC bus and the first DC bus. The first DC bus of at least one power circuit is coupled to the second DC bus of at least another power circuit with a second DC to DC converter.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling a wind converter for a weak electrical grid. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a system for controlling the wind converter includes a wind converter connected to an electrical grid at a point of connection (POC) and operable to transfer a power to the electrical grid. The system includes a first control loop operable to calculate, based on electrical grid parameters and wind converter characteristics, a voltage reference to be generated by the wind converter. The system includes a second control loop to convert, based on the electrical grid parameters, the voltage reference into a current reference. The second loop converts the angle information of the voltage reference into a voltage at the POC. The system includes a third control to regulate, based at least on the current reference, the power transferred by the wind converter to the electrical grid.

Abstract: An electric power system includes an OLTC transformer including a plurality of primary and secondary windings inductively coupled to each other. The electric power system includes at least one on-load tap changer coupled to at least one of the primary and secondary windings that is selectively configurable to regulate the portion of the primary and secondary windings inductively coupled to each other. The electric power system also includes a plurality of buses coupled to the transformer and are positioned downstream therefrom. The electric power system further includes at least one processor coupled to the tap changer configured to regulate a voltage bandwidth of the tap changer as a function of estimated voltage values of at least one bus as estimated based on a priori values of power/current transmitted through each bus. The a priori values are substantially based on measured power/current transmission through the on-load tap changer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling a wind converter for a weak electrical grid. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a system for controlling the wind converter includes a wind converter connected to an electrical grid at a point of connection (POC) and operable to transfer a power to the electrical grid. The system includes a first control loop operable to calculate, based on electrical grid parameters and wind converter characteristics, a voltage reference to be generated by the wind converter. The system includes a second control loop to convert, based on the electrical grid parameters, the voltage reference into a current reference. The second loop converts the angle information of the voltage reference into a voltage at the POC. The system includes a third control to regulate, based at least on the current reference, the power transferred by the wind converter to the electrical grid.

Abstract: A power distribution system for providing a desired value of voltage regulation is presented. The system includes at least one power source, at least one sink, a distribution feeder configured to couple the at least one power source to the at least one sink. The system includes a plurality of modular voltage regulation units coupled to the distribution feeder, where each of the plurality of modular voltage regulation units includes a transformer including a primary winding having a first end and a second end and a secondary winding having a first end and a second end; and at least one switch coupled to the primary winding of the transformer, where the first end of the secondary winding is coupled to at least one of the first and second ends of the primary winding via the at least one switch. A method of operating a power distribution system is also presented.

Abstract: A power system for offshore application includes a plurality of power circuits. Each of the power circuit includes an alternating current (AC) bus which supplies power to an auxiliary load and is connected to a generator. The power circuit further includes a first direct current (DC) bus having a first DC voltage supplying power to a first load and a second DC bus having a second DC voltage supplying power to a second load. The power circuit also includes a first DC to DC converter coupled between the first DC bus and the second DC bus, wherein the first DC to DC converter is configured for bidirectional power flow and an AC to DC converter coupled between the AC bus and the first DC bus. The first DC bus of at least one power circuit is coupled to the second DC bus of at least another power circuit with a second DC to DC converter.

Abstract: An electromagnetic braking system includes an electrically conductive disc coupled to a rotatable shaft of a power generation system for operating in an island mode. The rotatable shaft is operatively coupled between a prime mover and a generator for supplying power to an island grid. The electromagnetic braking system further includes a controller for receiving at least one status or synchronization signal and for generating a control signal based on the at least one signal and an inducting unit for applying an electromagnetic braking force on the electrically conductive disc when commanded by the control signal to regulate a rotational speed of the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An electric power system including an on-load tap changing (OLTC) transformer is provided. The OLTC transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. A portion of the at least one primary winding and at least one of the secondary windings are inductively coupled to each other. Further, the electric power system includes at least one on-load tap changer coupled to the at least one primary winding or the at least one secondary winding of the OLTC transformer. The on-load tap changer is configured to regulate the portion of the at least one primary winding or the at least one secondary winding that are inductively coupled to each other. Furthermore, the system includes at least one controller coupled to the on-load tap changer. The controller is configured to determine a permissible voltage range defined by a bandwidth around a voltage set-point at the at least one on-load tap changer, where the bandwidth is a function of one or more electrical network states.

Abstract: A system for operating an on-load tap changer (OLTC) includes a plurality of legs that include mechanical switches. At least one leg switches from a first to a second tap of the OLTC on receipt of a tap change signal. At least one mechanical switch is activated to establish an electrical connection between one of the first and the second tap and a power terminal of the OLTC. Further, the system includes semiconductor switches that are parallel to the mechanical switches and when activated electrically couple one of the first and the second tap and the power terminal. The system includes a processing unit that selectively activates and deactivates the mechanical and semiconductor switches in such a way that electrical contact is maintained between at least one of the taps and the power terminal during the transition of at least one leg from the first tap to the second tap.

Abstract: A method of switching taps of an on-load tap changer includes providing a main finger, a first side finger including a first solid state switch and a second side finger including a second solid state switch. The main finger, the first side finger and the second side finger are utilized to provide a connection between the taps and a power terminal of the on-load tap changer. The method also includes triggering the on-load tap changer to shift the fingers from a first tap to a second tap of the on-load tap changer when a tap change signal is received and utilizing the first solid state switch and the second solid state switch to commutate a current during the tap change operation.

Abstract: A system including an electromagnetic braking system that has an eddy current brake. The eddy current brake includes an electrically conductive surface coupled to a shaft of a generator system, wherein the eddy current brake is configured to induce an electromagnetic force on the electrically conductive surface when powered. The electromagnetic braking system further includes a supercapacitor coupled to the eddy current brake, wherein the supercapacitor is configured to discharge to power the eddy current brake for the duration of a ride through event of the generator system, and the supercapacitor is configured to supply a threshold current to the eddy current brake within approximately 100 ms of a start of the ride through event.

Abstract: A system for online filtering of photovoltaic (PV) output signals includes a programmable filter that is programmed to decompose measured PV output power into an estimated low-frequency signal component, based substantially on movement of the sun and an estimated high-frequency signal component, based substantially on cloud shading. An open loop controller generates a reactive power compensation signal based on at least one of the low-frequency signal component and the high-frequency signal component. The low-frequency signal component is defined by a positive portion of a sine curve that is based substantially on movement of the sun.

Abstract: An electric power system including an on-load tap changing (OLTC) transformer is provided. The OLTC transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. A portion of the at least one primary winding and at least one of the secondary windings are inductively coupled to each other. Further, the electric power system includes at least one on-load tap changer coupled to the at least one primary winding or the at least one secondary winding of the OLTC transformer. The on-load tap changer is configured to regulate the portion of the at least one primary winding or the at least one secondary winding that are inductively coupled to each other. Furthermore, the system includes at least one controller coupled to the on-load tap changer. The controller is configured to determine a permissible voltage range defined by a bandwidth around a voltage set-point at the at least one on-load tap changer, where the bandwidth is a function of one or more electrical network states.