Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Blog 17: Third Answer

Due Date:  Thursday, March 5th by 8AM

Content:

Just like you did for answer 1 and 2 post your:
  • EQ
    • What is the best way to optimize the electrical grid to ensure maximum operating efficiency?
  • Answer #3 (Write in a complete sentence like a thesis statement)*
    • Change voltage profiles to decrease the amount of reactive power being generated.
  • 3 details to support the answer (a detail is a fact and an example)
    • Changing the voltage profile of a distribution system, such as the electrical grid, helps utilities maintain a power factor of one (aka, "unity power factor"). The unity power factor is the goal of any electrical utility service. If utilities have a power factor less than one, then they have to supply more current to the user for a given amount of power use. In so doing, they incur more line losses. They also must have larger capacity equipment in place than would be otherwise necessary. As a result, an industrial facility will be charged a penalty if its power factor is much different from 1. According to my mentor, keeping the power factor close to one also minimizes the amount of reactive power being generated.
    • There are two types of power: real power and reactive power. According to my mentor, reactive power is synonymous with wasted energy due to traveling between an input (e.g., a substation) and the output (e.g., a home). In order to reduce this reactive power in a distribution network, such as the electrical grid, engineers must remember the equation for electric power: P=VI (Power = voltage x current). This equation gives the instantaneous power in an AC circuit. Current is measured in Ohms. 
    • Changing the voltage profile of a distribution system also helps facilitate the integration of distributed generators, DG. As DG becomes more widespread, there are some problems that are encountered. The distribution networks to which distributed generators (e.g. solar farms and wind farms)  are connected were not designed for direct connection of generators. They were designed for power flow from a source (substation) to the consumer loads. Introduction of DG often leads to changes in the direction of power flow in distribution networks. In addition to this, DG cause changes to stability, voltage profile and protection systems. Because distribution networks were not designed to accommodate generators, constraints are placed on DG utilization. One limit is the amount of power that DG can supply. Supply of real power causes voltage level around the power source to rise. If the real power supplied is too high, voltage level may rise beyond acceptable limits set by the NEC (National Electric Code).
  • The research source (s) to support your details and answer
    • Interview 3 (with Allen Barreno)
    • https://www.uonbi.ac.ke/abunguodero/files/ijetae_1212_13.pdf
    • http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/powfac.html#c1
    • Mini Interviews (with Ali Kazemi and Amanvir Sudan)
  • Concluding Sentence



*Write your answer like you would write a thesis statement.  Please don't give us one or two words or start your sentence with "by".    Thanks!

No comments:

Post a Comment