MELECON 2016

Special Session

Towards Power Systems relying primarily on variable Renewable Energy Sources: the flexibility, reliability and resiliency challenges

Utilities currently prefer to increase the network power transfer capacity by increasing power transmission and network operation flexibility. This is generally achieved by relaxing thermal constraints and increasing operating temperatures of existing overhead lines (hot wiring) in combination with relaxing voltage and frequency operation constraints enabling the flexibility of generation resources. The main aim of increasing flexibility in transmis-sion and operation is to strengthen the interconnection of remote areas (where the majority of renewable generating potential is) and also increase the conventional generation flexibility.

This session will discuss the issues that arise from these two forms of power network flexibility and will present methods that can be used to evaluate the contribution of the network flexibility to increased amount of renewable energy integration, the reliability of the future flexible networks and their resilience in the face of unforeseen conditions and uncertainties.

The presentations will illustrate how different thermal uprating methods of transmission and distribution corridors (PTR, DLR, novel conductors) con-tribute towards network capacity improvement and increase network resilience to extreme weather conditions and component failures through novel technology implementation. Furthermore, the impact of ICTs on network reliability will be presented through a case study of DTR-ICT implementation. Finally, key challenges and requirements of network flexibility related to demand, power markets, bulk storage and control of variable renewable gen-erators and surplus of energy events will be presented. In summary, this session will discuss advancements regarding novel materials, design, planning and operation of current and future networks aiming to propose new methods for holistic study of the networks.

Electric Power Systems and Renewable Energy Sources

Resilience, flexibility, renewables, overhead lines, Information & communication Technologies (ICTs)

Dr K. Kopsidas,

Biographical Sketch
Dr Konstantinos Kopsidas is a Lecturer in the Electrical Energy & Power Systems group at the University of Manchester (UK). His work is situated within the broader area of Power System Planning, Operation and Reliability with main research interests related to Smart Grid realization increasing the power transfer capacity of distribution and transmission networks. He has led various projects internationally (UK, Canada, India) in the field of Over-head Lines design and efficient operation and currently investigates reliability evaluation methods on OHL transmission networks. He is author of more than 30 research papers on the areas of overhead line design and smart technologies implementation for network optimisation on network reliability and security.

Dr Joseph Mutale,

Biographical Sketch
Dr Joseph Mutale is a Reader in Electrical Energy and Power Systems at the University of Manchester. His research interests are in planning and opera-tion of sustainable power systems including in developing countries. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE, a Charted Engineer and Fellow of the IET.

LIST of Speakers
(5 presentations for 15 min each and 15 minutes for further discussion at the end – total session duration 85 min)

K. Kopsidas,
University of Manchester, Manchester

Title of the presentation
Reliability Evaluation of OHL Power Networks accounting for their Electro-Thermal Design

Biographical Sketch
see above

Carlos Cruzat
University of Manchester, Manchester

Title of the presentation
Evaluating the impact of ICT on Network reliability

Biographical Sketch
Carlos Cruzat (S’ 15) obtained his BEng in Electrical Engineer from the University of Concepción, Chile and his MSc from the Imperial College London. He is currently a PhD student at the University of Manchester specializing in reliability of power systems. Prior to his PhD he worked as Electrical Engineer in Mining Company BHP Billiton for 5 years.

The submissions should contain original, high quality, not submitted or published elsewhere work. Papers should be submitted electronically through the Melecon website in PDF format and should conform to IEEE specifications (see Author Guidelines).

Each accepted paper should be presented by one of the authors and accompanied by at least one full registration fee payment, to guarantee publication in the proceedings. One full registration fee can cover up to 2 papers only. All accepted papers will be included in the IEEE proceedings of Melecon 2016 that will be submitted to the Xplore Digital Library.

Prof. Constantinos S. Pattichis - [email protected]
H. Karavas, IET Cyprus, Cyprus (Workshops & Special Sessions Chair) - [email protected]