Title :
Power Flow Controlling Devices as a Smart and Independent Grid Investment for Flexible Grid Operations: Belgian Case Study
Author :
Van Hertem, Dirk ; Rimez, Johan ; Belmans, Ronnie
Author_Institution :
Electr. Eng. Dept., KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Abstract :
The electric power system in Europe is fundamentally changing, due to the liberalization of the energy market, the internationalization of electric power system operations, the shift towards renewable energy sources and the increased difficulty to install new transmission lines. The transmission system operators face new problems and they require new means to solve them. One option is to resort to the use of power flow controlling devices to manage the energy flows in the transmission system and to provide a secure operation under varying circumstances. Through the use of power flow controlling devices, the TSO gains a double advantage: investments in new (overhead) transmission lines can be avoided and it allows more flexible grid operations. This paper describes the Belgian case for different stages of the grid management: investment, planning, scheduling and operations using power flow controlling devices, including practical aspects. The Belgian case study comprises two technologies: the traditional phase shifting transformer and voltage source converter HVDC, each with their advantages and disadvantages.
Keywords :
HVDC power transmission; load flow control; power convertors; power markets; power overhead lines; power transformers; smart power grids; Belgian case study; Europe; HVDC; electric power system operations; energy market; flexible grid operations; independent grid investment; overhead transmission lines; phase shifting transformer; power flow controlling devices; renewable energy sources; smart grid investment; voltage source converter; Europe; HVDC transmission; Investment; Planning; Power cables; Coordination; HVDC; phase shifting transformer; transmission system operation; transmission system planning;
Journal_Title :
Smart Grid, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TSG.2013.2249597