It appears the idea is to usesmall local energy sources such as windmills to allow islands to be cut out ofthe grid to prevent a failure mode from propagating further. I do not see how that could work but we maypresume there is a good reason for it, if only because it maintains a localbase load that allows time to side step the problem.
In the event, this is more towardintegrating alternative power into the grid in the best way possible.
If we have learned anything it isthat diverse distributed energy sources hugely increase the robustness of the griditself as was so recently shown in Japan were the wind is presently providingsome system reassurance.
K-State Research Channels Powerful Kansas
by Staff Writers
The Kansas
One of
Sakshi Pahwa, doctoral student in electrical and computer engineering,India, explored the topic for her recently completed master's project,"Distributed Sources and Islanding to Mitigate Cascading Failures in PowerGrid Networks." The project was a winner at the recent Capitol GraduateResearch Summit in Topeka.
Pahwa's co-advisers on the project include Caterina Scoglio, associateprofessor of electrical and computer engineering, and Noel Schulz, Paslayprofessor of electrical and computer engineering and K-State's first lady.Pahwa is continuing this work for her doctoral research under Scoglio and RuthDouglas Miller, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.
The research looks at using distributed energy sources to avoidcascading failures in power grids. A cascading failure occurs when aninterconnected part of a power system fails and then triggers successive partsto fail - like the one that happened in the Northeast Blackout of 2003, a poweroutage that affected 55 million people in the United States and Canada
To prevent cascading failures researchers are investigating atechnique called islanding, which works to minimize the impact of a powersystem fault to a small area. Islanding prevents this fault from affectingother areas and stops further disturbances in the network.
"We used a network partitioning algorithm, and then depending onwhere the fault is I can disconnect that portion of the network," Pahwasaid. "That disconnected portion can then be powered using renewable ordistributed energy sources, such as wind turbines or solar panels, and theremaining parts are still being powered by conventional sources."
The Kansas
The university turbine was installed for Wind for Schools, a projectled by Miller, director of the Kansas Wind Application Center
"We need to set up power systems that are reliable and stable sothat when that wind is blowing, we can use that power, but when the wind isn'tblowing, there are also stable systems," Schulz said. "That's whatthis project is about - modeling the network so we understand the differentaspects for when there are changes, when the wind blows, when it doesn't andhow that affects the power system."
Scoglio and Pahwa started the project when Pahwa was a master'sstudent. As they began studying complex network systems, they turned to Schulz,a power grid expert who has done previous work with islanding. They alsocollaborated with power systems expert Anil Pahwa, professor of electrical andcomputer engineering, and Shelli Starrett, associate professor of electrical andcomputer engineering.
"With the proper design and the right intelligence, some of theproblems related to power failures can be prevented," Scoglio said."We need to make sure that the communication network willmonitor the network and detect the problem and will implement the reactionsecurely to implement these solutions."
Sakshi Pahwa's research aims to not only study the problem from atheoretical aspect, but also provide practical solutions to real-worldproblems. It also fits in with the Renewable Energy Standards Act, which wassigned in 2009 and states that major Kansas utilities should be able togenerate about 10 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2011 and 20percent by 2020.
"This project benefits the state because it reduces carbonemissions through renewable energy," Pahwa said. "It is a goodopportunity to create jobs, and renewable energy incorporation isalso a support to the conventional sources so we don't need to import fuelsfrom other countries. It helps the economy as well."
Pahwa's research was supported by the four companies involved in theK-State Electrical Power Affiliates Program:Westar Energy, Burns and McDonnell, Nebraska Public Power District and OmahaPublic Power District. Schulz directs the program, which supports undergraduateand graduate research programs.
"This research is a benefit for Kansas and the whole nation becauseI think that innovation, coming from research and support from companies suchas those that are part of the power affiliates, can really bring the countryback to a better economic situation," Scoglio said. "Innovation comeswith jobs and can really improve the whole nation."
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