Smart Energy Laboratory (SEL)
Computational Intelligence Applications (CIA) Laboratory

Department of Electrical Engineering
University of Washington

Distribution System

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive coverage on the electric power distribution systems. It also provides a strong foundation for distribution system designers, planners and operators a basis for arriving at cost-effective solutions and strategies. It will enable an engineer or a practicing individual in a utility or an industrial environment to design, plan and operate a system. The course is ideal for those who have a basic understanding of power systems and need a practical training in this field. The course can also be taken by engineers who did not specialize in power systems. The course material is also designed to serve as a useful reference in day-to-day functions. It also allows gaining self-paced, in-depth knowledge with the aid of practical examples. The topics covered include latest developments occurring in the industry.

The course covers related issues on basic concepts, equipment models, performance analysis methods and tools, planning, automation, protection, reliability, power quality and economic analysis. Several practical examples and cases are presented, studied and analyzed in this course.

Target Audience:

Electric utility system planners, operators and designers
Personnel in manufacturing companies of distribution equipment
Electric power Industry consultants
University professionals

 Course Outline:

 Basic Concepts of Power and Distribution Systems Overview

Single-phase and three-phase analysis
Per-unit systems
Different Power, Power Factor and losses definitions
Delta/wye Transformation
Balanced vs unbalanced analysis
A single feeder example: loss and efficiency calculations and interpretation
Components in distribution systems
Equipment ratings and ANSI Standards
Primary distribution schemes
Secondary distribution schemes
Distribution substation arrangements
Power devices: lines, cables and transformer ratings

Equipment and Models

Overhead (OH) and underground (UG) line models
Characteristics of conductors
Examples on OH and UG line models
Line Loading Characteristics
Urban, suburban and rural load characteristics
Load and demand models
Examples on demand and load Models

Distribution Transformers

Different Transformer connections
Single-phase residential analysis with unbalanced loads
Three-phase transformer analysis with unbalanced loads
Auto-and three-winding transformer analysis
Single- and three-phase auto-transformer analysis
Examples on transformer analysis

Steady-state performance analysis

System modeling using network analysis
Single-phase, three-phase and multiphase models
Three-phase power flow analysis
Practical example on 10-feeder power flow analysis
Control devices: capacitors, reactors, transformer tap changers
Voltage regulation with fixed and switched capacitors
Example on voltage regulation improvement

Economic Analysis

Background
Basic methods: net present worth, rate of return methods
Selection of devices: lines and transformers
Tariffs and pricing
Cost-benefit analysis
Example on transformer selection
Performance-based regulation and manifestation

System Protection

Three-phase source models
Fault characteristics
Short-circuit analysis
Practical Example on fault analysis philosophy and architecture
Protective devices: fuses, reclosers, sectionalizers, circuit breakers, relays, surge arrestors
Time-current curves for protective devices
Protective device ratings and selection
Feeder and Transformer Protection
Grounding
Computer-aided Protection
Practical examples on Fuse/Fuse Coordination, Recloser/Fuse coordination

System Planning

Review of Methods
Load evaluation and demand forecasting
Design criteria and standards (voltage, equipment)
Design of substations, primary and secondary systems
Design Evaluation
Asset Management
Practical Example on a Simple Substation and Plat Design

System Reliability

Overview of distribution reliability
Reliability Indices
Component models
FEMA and Monte Carlo methods
IEEE 1366 and its implication
Practical Example on a two-feeder system
Reliability optimization
Maintenance techniques

Distribution Automation

Automation functions
Advanced metering infrastructure
Demand Side Management (DSM)
Case studies of economic & technical feasibility
Trouble call analysis
Outage management
Substation, feeder, and customer restoration
DA trends and technologies
DSCADA and DMS architecture
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications
Practical case study on restoration

Power Quality Analysis

Indices-Harmonics, Sags, Swells, Flicker
Harmonic Analysis
Motor Starting and Flickering
Behavior of Sensitive Transients Loads
Power Quality Monitoring and Auditing
Custom Power Devices: SVC, DSTATCOM, DVR, SSB, active filters
Practical Example on Indices Evaluation