IEEE Power and Energy Society

Chicago Chapter 2018-2019

Reactive Power Compensation for Solar Power Plants

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Andy Leon

Invenergy

About the Topic

FERC Order No. 827 established clear dynamic reactive power requirements for newly interconnecting non-synchronous generators including wind turbines and solar inverters. Some transmission operators (TOs) have adopted these requirements while other TOs require plants to meet more stringent requirements. Industry practices for sizing reactive power compensation at Wind Power Plants are well established. Sizing reactive power systems for utility scale Solar Power Plants presents a new set of challenges. The real and reactive capabilities of solar inverters are significantly influenced by ambient temperature, DC link voltage, AC terminal voltage as well as inverter set points and priority modes. This presentation briefly discusses the history of reactive compensation systems and the fundamental needs of why reactive compensation is required. Various design assumptions and reactive power system options for Solar Power Plants will then be analyzed and compared.

About the Speaker

Andy Leon, P.E., is the Senior Electrical Manager in the Renewable Engineering and Project Management group of Invenergy LLC with 9 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. He has been the lead electrical engineer representing the owner and operator of more than 1GW of wind, solar, and energy storage projects. Key responsibilities include managing an internal team of electrical engineers as well as selecting and managing engineering consultants. Andy has managed the conceptual design of many utility scale projects in addition to the specification and procurement of inverters/generators, transformers and other owner-supplied equipment. He reviews electrical studies to ensure project designs are economically efficient and in compliance with applicable transmission requirements. Andy is a licensed Professional Engineer in multiple states and has been an IEEE member for 10 years. Andy is currently secretary of the Wind and Solar Power Coordinating Committee within IEEE PES and has also been an active member of the Wind and Solar Plant Collector Design Working Group.

Location       Time

Sargent & Lundy, 24th floor Conference Room 11:30 AM   Social

55 East Monroe St 11:45 AM   Lunch (optional)

(Enter from Monroe or Adams, near Wabash) 12:00 PM   Presentation

Chicago, IL 60603 1:00 PM   Adjourn

312-269-2000

Location	Time

Sargent & Lundy, 24th floor Conference Room	11:30 AM	Social
55 East Monroe St	11:45 AM	Lunch (optional)
(Enter from Monroe or Adams, near Wabash)	12:00 PM	Presentation
Chicago, IL 60603	1:00 PM	Adjourn
312-269-2000

Reservations

Please make your reservation by noon on Monday 10 Dec 2018 via the Online Reservation Form.

Directions to Luncheon Location

You can reach the 24th floor of 55 East Monroe Street from the South (Adams Street entrance) elevator bank only.

Please bring your lunch with you. If you would like to purchase lunch, then the Under 55 dining room, in the basement on the North end of the building, is recommended.

Take the elevator to 24 and sign in with the Sargent & Lundy Receptionist. Please note that food is only permitted in the Hospitality Area outside the Conference Room. Food is not permitted in the Conference Room.

As you sign in, you may request a Discount Parking coupon. When you depart, you must pay for parking at the Automated Pay Station in the Parking Garage elevator lobby on the floor where you parked. First insert the parking ticket, then insert the discount coupon, then make payment. If you pay at the Garage Exit, then the discount is NOT available. With the discount, parking is $18, without $40.

Continuing Education

IEEE technical meetings may be acceptable as continuing education where required for maintenance of professional engineering licensure. Refer to the individual state's requirements for details. A receipt for one Professional Development Hour (PDH) will be provided.

Updated 13 Sep 2018