Transmission systems are becoming increasingly stressed because of growing demand and because of restrictions on building new lines. However, most high voltage transmission systems are operating below their thermal rating due to such constraints as stability limits. EPRI is pioneering FACTS technology to make it possible to load lines at least for some contingencies up to their thermal limits without compromising system reliability. In order to understand what is required of the FACTS controllers, EPRI has initiated several FACTS system studies with various utilities. These utilities include Southern Company Services, Florida Power & Light, New York Power Authority, Minnesota Power, Commonwealth Edison, Tennessee Valley Authority, Public Service Electric & Gas, San Diego Gas & Electric, Western Area Power Administration, ENEL (Italy), and PPGC (Poland). This presentation summarizes findings of these studies. Also, a brief description of the EPRI's software packages, which are being used in these studies, will be presented.
Before making any decisions on a new technology such as FACTS, system study is the first step that is undertaken by the electric utilities to perform both technical and economic evaluations. In this regard, EPRI has been in the forefront by initiating more than fifteen system studies with different utilities to evaluate possible application of FACTS controllers. Electric utility industry-wide accepted computer software is needed to perform these system studies. EPRI has developed the most comprehensive packages such as PSAPAC (Power System Analysis Package) and EMTP (Electro-Magnetic Transients Program) with detailed models for FACTS controllers. EPRI's software has been used by many utilities while performing these system studies.
FACTS technologies are offering competitive solutions to today's power systems in terms of increased power transfers, improved system damping, and better system control. The application of FACTS devices are very much system dependent. The simulation of detailed power system models as well as FACTS device models in a production grade program such as ETMSP was found to be necessary to evaluate the complete benefits of FACTS technologies. It is important to consider both technical and economic considerations while evaluating FACTS options.
Ram Adapa (radapa@epri.com) received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Dr. Adapa joined the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Palo Alto, California in June 1989. At EPRI, he is currently the Technical Leader for Increased Power Flow activities in the Transmission & Substation Asset Utilization target of the Power Delivery Product Sector. In this capacity, he is responsible for developing and managing the project portfolio in the area of increased power flow.
Previously, Dr. Adapa worked as Manager of Power System Planning, in the Grid Operations and Planning Business Area of the Power Delivery Group at EPRI. He managed the WSCC (1996) Outage Study, Electro-Magnetic Transients Program (EMTP), IRP Workstation (EGEAS), FACTS System Studies, Harmonic Analysis Software (HARMFLO), and several other expert systems projects. His areas of interest include FACTS, Phasor Measurements, Grid Operations, Grid Planning and Grid Reliability.
Prior to joining EPRI, he was a Staff Engineer in the Systems Engineering Department of McGraw-Edison Power Systems (presently known as Cooper Power Systems), Franksville, Wisconsin. At McGraw-Edison, he was involved in several digital and analog studies, which included transient, harmonic, and insulation coordination studies performed for electric utilities.
Dr. Adapa is a Senior Member of the IEEE Power Engineering Society, member of the DC Transmission subcommittee of the Transmission and Distribution Committee, member of the System Planning Subcommittee of the Power System Engineering Committee, chairman of the IEEE WG 15.05.02 - Dynamic Performance and Modeling of HVDC Systems and Power Electronics for Transmission Systems, individual member of CIGRE, and past chairman of the local IEEE Santa Clara Valley PES/IAS chapter. The IEEE Power Engineering Society Santa Clara Valley Chapter elected him as the 1997 Outstanding Engineer. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin.
| Location | Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bar Association | 11:30 AM | Social | |
| 321 South Plymouth Court | 12:00 PM | Lunch (optional) | |
| (near Jackson & Dearborn) | 12:15 PM | Presentation | |
| Chicago, IL 60604 | 1:00 PM | Adjourn | |
| 312-554-2000 |