IEEE PES Victorian Chapter

Abstract: This presentation will provide an overview of grid modernization activities and smart distribution systems, and discuss objectives, modern equipment, technologies, leading industry practices, solutions and methodologies used by the electric power industry to modernize distribution grids. This presentation will bring together all these aspects in a cohesive and holistic description that would allow attendees to understand this rapidly evolving and increasingly complex area. This presentation will address the following aspects: 1. Objectives: industry trends, drivers, justification and need for distribution grid modernization, including efficiency improvement, climate change, emissions reductions, evolving customer patterns, and resiliency/reliability improvement. 2. Modern equipment, technologies, and solutions: microprocessor-based relays, reclosers and switches; Distributed Energy Resources (DER) including Distributed Generation (DG), Distributed Energy Storage (DES) and microgrids; electric transportation; advanced controllers and sensors (e.g., distribution PMUs); power electronics-based distribution equipment (distribution class STATCOMs, etc.); Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI); Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS); Outage Management Systems (OMS); and DER management Systems (DERMS); telecommunications technologies (optic fibre, meshed radio, etc.), and grid edge devices and home automation systems. 3. Modern methodologies: modern planning, operations and engineering analysis for power distribution systems, including spatial load forecasting; predictive reliability analysis; DER integration; hosting capacity analysis; Non-Wires Alternatives (NWA); advanced distribution automation (Fault Location, Isolation and Service Restoration (FLISR), Volt-Var optimization (VVO), etc.); value of DER and value of the grid, real-time monitoring, protection, automation, control, and operations; and grid analytics. 4. Business, regulatory and policy trends: benefit-cost analyses and business case development for deployment of grid modernization solutions, technology roadmap and strategy development, etc. 5. Case studies: examples of grid modernization solutions for real-life power distribution systems. Speaker: Dr Julio Romero Agüero is the Senior Vice President of Strategy & Business Innovation at Quanta Technology. He has 29 years of experience, he provides leadership to Quanta Technology in the areas of technology strategy, innovation, grid modernization, distribution systems planning, reliability, resilience, and integration of distributed energy resources and emerging technologies. He has developed solutions and provided advisory services and regulatory support in these areas to electric utilities and regulatory boards in the USA, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia.  He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and a Distinguished Lecturer of IEEE PES. He has served IEEE PES as a volunteer in multiple roles, including as Vice President, Chapters and Membership in the IEEE PES Governing Board, Chair of the 2020 and 2021 Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference North America, Chair of the IEEE Distribution Subcommittee, Chair of the IEEE Working Group on Distributed Resources Integration, Editor of IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, and Editor of IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Committee. He has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of Houston. Free Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/grid-modernization-and-smart-distribution-systems-tickets-1006221304007 Join the Event: Online zoom meeting link: https://cqu.zoom.us/j/244277479?pwd=cWlZWldHTUMzaWtjSlVzbkVmS2RNdz09  

Abstract: Power flow control techniques have been practiced, from using inductors, capacitors, transformers and load tap changers in the earlier days of electrical engineering to power electronics-based solutions in recent years. Even though the costs and complexities of the available solutions vary widely, the basic underlying theory of power flow control is still the same as it has always been. The question is which solution one should employ. The answer depends on knowing what the true need is. The power industry’s pressing need for the most economical ways to transfer bulk power along a desired path may be met by building new transmission lines, which is a long and costly process. Alternately, it may be quicker and cheaper to utilize the existing transmission lines more efficiently. The key is to identify the underutilized transmission lines and harness their dormant capacities to increase the power flows to the lines’ thermal limits using the most cost-effective and time-tested solutions. The presentation is designed to provide the basic principles of power flow control theory, an overview of the most commonly used power flow controllers, and future trends. The audience will hear from an expert who actually designed and commissioned a number of power electronics based FACTS controllers since their inceptions in the 1990s. Speaker: Kalyan Sen is the President & Chief Technology Officer of Sen Engineering Solutions, Inc. (www.sentransformer.com) that specializes in developing SMART power flow controllers—a functional requirements-based and cost-effective solution. Kalyan worked 33 years in academia and industry. He was a key member of the Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) development team at the Westinghouse Science & Technology Center for which he became a Westinghouse Fellow Engineer. He contributed to concept development, simulation, design, and commissioning of FACTS projects at Westinghouse. He conceived some of the basic concepts in power flow control technology for which he was elevated to the IEEE Fellow grade with the citation: for the development and application of power flow control technology. He is the Co-inventor of the Sen Transformer. Free Registration: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/event/register/416497 Join the Event: Online zoom meeting link: https://cqu.zoom.us/j/244277479?pwd=cWlZWldHTUMzaWtjSlVzbkVmS2RNdz09    

Abstract: In 2021 Alinga Energy Consulting was awarded a grant through the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund – Microgrids to conduct energy feasibility studies for 5 Indigenous communities in Western Australia. Ruby Heard, electrical engineer and director of Alinga Energy Consulting, will present a case study on integrating renewable energy into an isolated, diesel powered network. The study modelled 3 options for incorporating solar PV and battery storage – household rooftop solar, community owned centralised assets and utility owned centralised assets. Ruby will share results of the techno-economic analysis as well as community perspectives and benefits.   Speaker: Ruby Heard is an electrical engineer from Melbourne, now based in Rockhampton Qld. She completed her undergraduate degree at Victoria University in 2010. Ruby then went on to be a building services engineer for Arup, designing electrical and lighting systems for local buildings such as 888 Collins St, Terminal 4 at Melbourne Airport and Mitcham Train Station as well as international projects including the Louvre in France. Ruby transferred to the Arup San Francisco office in 2015 to pursue a greater focus on renewable energy where she started to specialise in complex solar arrays and microgrids working predominantly with Google. She was awarded an Emerging Leader in Sustainability recognition by the Design Futures Council in 2017. In early 2018 Ruby left Arup to volunteer in Ethiopia for 6 months through Engineers Without Borders, to support the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) energy team to design and install solar mini-grids while training refugee cooperatives as solar technicians. In November 2018 Ruby returned to Australia and formed Alinga Energy Consulting to continue her work in the renewable energy and microgrid space with a focus on off-grid applications, remote Indigenous communities and islands. Ruby was awarded Young Engineer of the Year Victoria by Engineers Australia in 2019 and featured in EA’s centenary celebration of 100 engineers making a difference. Free Registration (In-Person): https://www.trybooking.com/CLSBH Free Registration (Online): https://www.trybooking.com/CLSBJ Join the Event: Online zoom meeting link: https://deakin.zoom.us/j/84921540195?pwd=M3lzbnA0LzlqT28zeHpDR2tURUJDdz09 Meeting ID: 816 3454 0195 Passcode: 72281738