Impact of PV Distributed Generation on Loop Distribution Network

The rapid spreading of the Photovoltaic (PV) Systems as Distributed Generation (DG) in medium and low voltage networks created many effects and changes on the existing power system networks. In this work, two methods have been used and applied to determine the optimal allocation and sizing of the PV to be installed as DGs (ranging from 250 kW up to 3 MW). The first one is to determine the location according to the maximal power losses reduction over the feeder. The second one is by using the Harmony Search Algorithm which is claimed to be a powerful technique for optimal allocation of PV systems. The results of the two techniques were compared and found to be nearly closed. Furthermore, investigation on the effects on the feeder in terms of voltage levels, power factor readings, and short circuit current levels has been done. All calculations and simulations are conducted by using the MATLAB Simulation Program. Some field calculations and observations have been expended in order to substantiate the research findings and validation.

Obstacles Facing Developing Countries in Power System Planning

The problem of power system planning, due to its complexity and dimensionality, is one of the most challenging problems facing the electric power industry in developing as well as developed countries. In planning phase, two of the most important decision-making parameters are the reliability and costs. The latter includes both system investment costs and outages costs. In this paper, these parameters are described and the interrelation between them is evaluated. Some previous approaches and developed techniques will he applied to a particular planning problem in a developing country and some aspects having a significant impact on the decision making process in the planning phase will be considered.

Availability, Performance and Reliability Evaluation for PV Distributed Generation

Nowadays, renewable energy resources play an important role in replacing conventional energy resources such as fossil fuel by integrating solar, wind and geothermal energy. Photovoltaic energy is one?of?the very promising renewable energy resources which grew rapidly in the past few years, it can be used to produce electric energy through photovoltaic process. The primary objective of the research proposed in this paper is to facilitate the increasing penetration levels of PV systems in the electric distribution networks. In this work, the PV module electrical model is presented based on the mathematical equations and was implemented on MATLAB to simulate the non-linear characteristics I-V and P-V curves with variable input parameters which are irradiance and temperature based on Riyadh region. In addition, the reliability evaluation of distribution networks, including distributed generators of solar photovoltaic (PV) with varying output power capacity is presented also. The Monte Carlo simulation algorithm is applied to test the distribution network which is RBTS Bus 2 and the same has been conducted on the original case of distribution network substation 7029 which is located at KSA Riyadh. The two distribution networks have been modified to include the PV’s distributed generators. The distributed generators contribute to supply a part of the load during normal mode and supply the entire load during component failure or failure of grid operation supply. The PV stochastic models have been used to simulate the randomness of these resources. Moreover, the study shows that the implementation and integration of renewable resources as distributed generations have improved the reliability of the distribution networks.

EER Improvement for Room Air-Conditioners in Saudi Arabia

This paper demonstrates the possibility of achieving a higher Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) for Room Air Conditioners (RACs) that complies with the Saudi energy efficiency standards and satisfies the energy conservation requirements for the Saudi Building Code (SBC). This study considers several design options for improving the performance and efficiency of the RAC in comparison with a baseline RAC unit manufactured by Al-Zamil Company of Saudi Arabia. These design options include the number of condenser and evaporator rows, fins density, frontal area, compressor types, and refrigerant types. The experimental data obtained is through testing the units in Calorimeter according to standard ASHRAE-16. Also, the uncertainty in measurements and its propagation are included in this study. This paper reports the results of a set of measurements carried out on a modified RAC and compares them with the tested baseline RAC unit at similar load conditions. The experimental results indicate the effectiveness of increasing the number of condenser rows in comparison with other design options considered for achieving higher EER for RACs.

Proposed Measures to Mitigate Energy Interruptions in Residential Sector

This study investigates and analyzes the electric energy interruptions impact upon the residential sector in Riyadh city, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) resulting from severe power outages. The study results show that this sector which constitutes about 54% of the Saudi Electric Company in the Central Operating Area (SEC-COA) will suffer enormous tangible and intangible losses should occur in specific times, seasons and last for longer durations. The results obtained for the costs of these energy interruptions reveal a time-dependent non-linear outage cost variation. In order to reduce these energy interruptions and hence mitigate their adverse effects and consequences, the study proposes proper practical measures and solutions without compromising the consumers’ needs and convenience.

Investigating Practical Measures to Reduce Power Outages and Energy Curtailments

This work attempts to investigate some practical measures that may reduce severe power outages that lead to energy curtailments. The first step of this attempt is to explore, from the consumer’s perspective, the adverse effects of the energy curtailments that reflect enormous damages (tangible and intangible) to the residential sector in the city of Riyadh (the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). The second step is to propose, analyze, and employ energy conservation strategies that lead to both energy conservation and costs savings. The study results show that some customers will suffer enormous tangible and intangible losses should these outages occur during specific times, seasons, and for prolonged durations. In order to reduce these power outages and hence mitigate their adverse effects and consequences, the study proposes proper practical measures and solutions without compromising the consumers’ needs, satisfaction, and convenience.

Reliability Evaluation of Renewable Energy Share in Power Systems

In this research, Renewable Energy (RE) represents the existing power systems with different levels. However, because of the intermittent nature of these sources, it is necessary to analyze systems’ reliability with different RE penetration levels. This work presented a simulation method for reliability evaluation of renewable penetrated power systems. Some reliability indices were proposed for the case of power systems with renewable power plants. The adopted approach used the historical data of renewable energy resources, mainly wind and solar to estimate the power that can be generated and compared with the demand to find the power mismatch. Therefore, this approach can be utilized to determine the penetration level that renewable energy can be shared, and it also helps the system operators in deciding the percentage of the generation that RE power plant can provide.

Technical and Economical Merits of Power Systems Interconnection

This work aims at exploring the effects of the interconnection between isolated electric power systems upon some important aspects such as enhancing reliability levels along with reducing installation and operation costs. To discern the advantages associated with this study, the developed methodology has been applied to three existing power systems in the northern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presently within the concession domain of the Saudi Electric Company (SEC). These systems have been established to meet the present loads and to withstand future electrical demands for a period of time before additional generation and transmission reinforcements are needed. In this work, reliability measures have been utilized to determine the period that these systems can fulfill the present and future loads without affecting the reliability levels and the threshold that an additional capacity should be added to maintain those required reliability levels. In application to the reliability criteria, technical, operational and economic advantages can be realized, i.e., higher reliability levels and lower installation and operation costs after the proposed interconnection between these selected isolated power systems take place.

Anticipated Actions to Reduce Energy Shortages in the Residential Sector

This study investigates the electric energy shortages impact upon the residential sector in Riyadh city, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) resulting from severe power outages. The results reveal the extent of hardship and high costs the residential will suffer and endure. These outages occur and extend for longer durations. To mitigate these consequences, a method is suggested known as “willingness-to-pay” to seek the ability and willingness of consumers to pay to avert these power outages and energy shortages. Two approaches have been developed and utilized. The first one is based on a consumer survey to estimate his perceived costs. Outages occur in specific periods and last for longer durations. The second approach focussed on developing a mathematical model to complement the survey approach as this model can decrease the size of the problem complexity associated with consumer lack of experience in evaluating and assessing the worth of service reliability and quality.