Abstract: Provided is a modular multilevel converter and a method for synchronizing outputs of sub-modules of the converter. The modular multilevel converter includes sub-modules connected in parallel, and each sub-module generates an output. The modular multilevel converter also includes a controller that is communicatively coupled to the sub-modules. The controller controls a flow of one or more synchronizing signals between the plurality of sub-modules, such that each sub-module receives the synchronizing signals in opposite directions simultaneously, thereby controlling a synchronization of the outputs generated by the sub-modules.

Abstract: A utility-scale energy storage and conversion system can operate two or more inverter groups such that their reactive power commands are proportional to their available reactive power range. The control system can therefore distribute the reactive power commands in proportion to the available Q range, thereby ensuring that all inverters in the utility-scale energy storage and conversion system 100 operate with the same Q “headroom”. In addition, the utility-scale energy storage and conversion system can use an on-load tap changer (LTC) to adjust a terminal voltage associated with a first group of inverters and a second group of inverters. The first group of inverters can be associated with a first rating and the second group of inverters can be associated with a second rating that is greater than the first rating.

Abstract: A utility-scale energy storage and conversion system can operate two or more inverter groups such that their reactive power commands are proportional to their available reactive power range. The control system can therefore distribute the reactive power commands in proportion to the available Q range, thereby ensuring that all inverters in the utility-scale energy storage and conversion system 100 operate with the same Q “headroom”. In addition, the utility-scale energy storage and conversion system can use an on-load tap changer (LTC) to adjust a terminal voltage associated with a first group of inverters and a second group of inverters. The first group of inverters can be associated with a first rating and the second group of inverters can be associated with a second rating that is greater than the first rating.

Abstract: A system includes conductive windings extending around a magnetic core and impedance-varying windings extending around the magnetic core. The impedance-varying windings include positive windings and negative windings. The conductive windings and the impedance-varying windings conduct electric current around the magnetic core. The system includes a first impedance tap changer that is electrically coupled with the positive windings of the impedance-varying windings and a second impedance tap changer electrically coupled with the negative windings of the impedance-varying windings. A controller controls the first impedance tap changer and the second impedance tap changer to change an impedance of the system by changing which portion of the positive windings and which portion of the negative windings are conductively coupled with the conductive windings, and which portion of the positive windings and which portion of the negative windings are disconnected from the conductive windings.

Abstract: A utility-scale energy storage and conversion system can operate two or more inverter groups such that their reactive power commands are proportional to their available reactive power range. The control system can therefore distribute the reactive power commands in proportion to the available Q range, thereby ensuring that all inverters in the utility-scale energy storage and conversion system 100 operate with the same Q “headroom”. In addition, the utility-scale energy storage and conversion system can use an on-load tap changer (LTC) to adjust a terminal voltage associated with a first group of inverters and a second group of inverters. The first group of inverters can be associated with a first rating and the second group of inverters can be associated with a second rating that is greater than the first rating.

Abstract: A system includes conductive windings extending around a magnetic core and impedance-varying windings extending around the magnetic core. The impedance-varying windings include positive windings and negative windings. The conductive windings and the impedance-varying windings conduct electric current around the magnetic core. The system includes a first impedance tap changer that is electrically coupled with the positive windings of the impedance-varying windings and a second impedance tap changer electrically coupled with the negative windings of the impedance-varying windings. A controller controls the first impedance tap changer and the second impedance tap changer to change an impedance of the system by changing which portion of the positive windings and which portion of the negative windings are conductively coupled with the conductive windings, and which portion of the positive windings and which portion of the negative windings are disconnected from the conductive windings.

Abstract: A system for interactive power system model calibration is provided. The system includes a computing device including at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The at least one processor is programmed to receive event data and model response data associated with a model to simulate, identify a plurality of tunable parameters based on the event data and the model response data, present, via a user interface, the plurality of tunable parameters to the user, receive, from the user via the user interface, one or more selections of the plurality of tunable parameters, and calibrate the model based on the one or more selections.

Abstract: An electrical power system includes an electrical power distribution network and a control device configured to regulate at least one attribute of said electrical power system. The electrical power system further includes a processor coupled to the control device configured to identify an out-of-bound condition on said electrical power distribution network at a first time. The out-of-bound condition is associated with the at least one attribute. The processor is also configured to determine a trend for the at least one attribute at a second time that is later than the first time after a predetermined delay time elapses. The trend indicates a direction away from at least one of a predetermined range and a predetermined value. The processor is also configured to transmit a control action to said control device based at least in part on the trend.

Abstract: An electrical power system includes an electrical power distribution network and a control device configured to regulate at least one attribute of said electrical power system. The electrical power system further includes a processor coupled to the control device configured to identify an out-of-bound condition on said electrical power distribution network at a first time. The out-of-bound condition is associated with the at least one attribute. The processor is also configured to determine a trend for the at least one attribute at a second time that is later than the first time after a predetermined delay time elapses. The trend indicates a direction away from at least one of a predetermined range and a predetermined value. The processor is also configured to transmit a control action to said control device based at least in part on the trend.

Abstract: A system for accelerated assessment of operational uncertainties in an electrical power distribution system includes a plurality of utility assets, and a distribution analysis (“DA”) system. DA system includes a preparation module configured to identify a first network model and a reduced network model for the electrical power distribution system. DA system also includes an input module configured to identify a plurality of scenarios, and a reduced-model-analysis module configured to analyze the reduced network model using the plurality of scenarios, generating a first set of results, and to select a subset of scenarios based on the first set of results. DA system further includes a full-model-analysis module configured to analyze the first network model using the subset of scenarios, generating a second set of results. DA system also includes a command module configured to dispatch configuration commands to utility assets based on the second set of results.

Abstract: A power plant coupled to, and configured to provide power to, an electrical grid, is described. The power plant includes a plurality of power converters electrically coupled to, and configured to receive power from, at least one power source. The power plant also includes a voltage regulation device electrically coupled between the power converters and the electrical grid. The voltage regulation device includes a series transformer and a bi-directional converter configured to regulate a voltage at an output of the power converters.

Abstract: A system for accelerated assessment of operational uncertainties in an electrical power distribution system includes a plurality of utility assets, and a distribution analysis (“DA”) system. DA system includes a preparation module configured to identify a first network model and a reduced network model for the electrical power distribution system. DA system also includes an input module configured to identify a plurality of scenarios, and a reduced-model-analysis module configured to analyze the reduced network model using the plurality of scenarios, generating a first set of results, and to select a subset of scenarios based on the first set of results. DA system further includes a full-model-analysis module configured to analyze the first network model using the subset of scenarios, generating a second set of results. DA system also includes a command module configured to dispatch configuration commands to utility assets based on the second set of results.

Abstract: A power plant coupled to, and configured to provide power to, an electrical grid, is described. The power plant includes a plurality of power converters electrically coupled to, and configured to receive power from, at least one power source. The power plant also includes a voltage regulation device electrically coupled between the power converters and the electrical grid. The voltage regulation device includes a series transformer and a bi-directional converter configured to regulate a voltage at an output of the power converters.