Voltage Control and Protection in Electrical Power Systems ― From System Components to Wide-area Control

Based on the author’s twenty years of experience, this book shows the practicality of modern, conceptually new, wide area voltage control in transmission and distribution smart grids, in detail. Evidence is given of the great advantages of this approach, as well as what can be gained by new control functionalities which modern technologies now available can provide. The distinction between solutions of wide area voltage regulation (V-WAR) and wide area voltage protection (V-WAP) are presented, demonstrating the proper synergy between them when they operate on the same power system as well as the simplicity and effectiveness of the protection solution in this case.

The author provides an overview and detailed descriptions of voltage controls, distinguishing between generalities of underdeveloped, on-field operating applications and modern and available automatic control solutions, which are as yet not sufficiently known or perceived for what they are: practical, high-performance and reliable solutions. At the end of this thorough and complex preliminary analysis the reader sees the true benefits and limitations of more traditional voltage control solutions, and gains an understanding and appreciation of the innovative grid voltage control and protection solutions here proposed; solutions aimed at improving the security, efficiency and quality of electrical power system operation around the globe.

Voltage Control and Protection in Electrical Power Systems: from System Components to Wide Area Control will help to show engineers working in electrical power companies and system operators the significant advantages of new control solutions and will also interest academic control researchers studying ways of increasing power system stability and efficiency.

Dr. Sandro Corsi, is a senior scientist and project manager at CESI S.p.A.. Formerly, he has been manager and head of the voltage control office at ENEL Research Department. His main interests are in studies, consultancies, specifications, design and applications in real power systems of grid voltage controls, generator controls, power electronics, HVDC systems, substation automation, grid security and protection systems, advanced control and communication methods and technologies. He has a wide experience in field applications, in Italy and further afield, of grid support control systems. His international experience also includes projects related to SCADA/EMS, tailored energy markets and grids integration to UCTE/ETNSO pool. He pioneered the studies and applications of the “Transmission Network Automatic Voltage Regulation and Wide Area Protection Systems”. On renewable energy, he has a long experience of studies and field applications of special control systems in photovoltaic, wind and fuel cells generators and power stations. Member of: CIGRE, IEEE-PES and CEI WGs and SCs. Member of IREP Board of Directors and IET-GTD; IJRET Editorial Boards. Author of more than 100 technical papers in the main Conferences Proceedings and Reviews on power system stability, control and protection. Reviewer of IEEE-Transactions, and for IET, Elsevier, EPSR , IJRET and International Conference papers.