Energy System Control and Operation (ESCO) Laboratory
Research Topics
DC Grid
Future power systems will emphasize DC technologies more than their AC counterparts due to their improved efficiency, reduced cost for undersea power transfer, and power flow control capabilities. In addition, more and more HVDC lines will be utilized to incorporate large-scale renewable energy into the power system.
The conventional AC power grid will be converted to a hybrid AC/DC grid comprised of multi-terminal DC grids, a multi-infeed DC system, and high-voltage DC lines embedded within the grid. Using their controllability, significantly more renewable energy can be connected to the power grid without causing voltage instability or overloading. In addition, the hybrid AC/DC grid increases the efficacy of the power system because only a single stage of conversion is required to connect renewable energy. Consequently, DC grid will be one of the most important technology for future renewable-rich power systems.
ESCO Laboratory investigates the operation and control of DC grids ranging from low-voltage applications on the consumer side to ultra-high-voltage applications. Our objective is to design hybrid AC/DC future power grids that incorporate significantly more renewable energy.
Multi Energy System (MES)
It is possible to convert electrical energy into gas, heat, and hydrogen. Due to technological advances in various conversion systems, transitions are occurring more frequently. In order to operate and control the total energy system at global optimal points, multiple energy sources will be considered simultaneously. Thus, the conventional power system is converted into a multi-energy system (MES).
Transition between electricity and hydrogen is fascinating among the numerous forms of sector coupling. The electrolyzer can transform electricity into hydrogen, and the fuel cell can transform hydrogen into electricity. Hydrogen can be transported and delivered via gas networks. Consequently, electrical and hydrogen networks can be operated and controlled cooperatively.
ESCO Laboratory investigates the operation and control of the MES, with a particular focus on the hydrogen system. Our objective is to develop a comprehensive operation and control solution for MES.
Renewable Energy Integration
Integration of renewable energy sources is one of the primary concerns of contemporary power systems. To attain carbon neutrality, more than fifty percent of electricity must be generated from renewable sources like wind and solar.
However, such resources are inconsistent and variable. In addition, inveter-based resources lack inertia and diminish short circuit ratio (SCR), reducing the stability margin of the power system. Therefore, in order to integrate renewable energy into the electrical system, it is necessary to resolve two issues. First, the maximum renewable energy capacity for the power system will be evaluated. Second, to increase the acceptability of renewable energy, we will propose a sophisticated control scheme to support grid stability, such as grid forming.
Our objective is exactly evaluating renewable energy capacity of power system and developing control scheme for renewable energy integrations.