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Smart Grid Technologies
Published in Stuart Borlase, Smart Grids, 2017
A relatively new transmission device is the variable frequency transformer or VFT. A VFT is considered by many to be a “smart” device as it has the ability to control the amount of power flowing through it. Similar to an HVDC system, the VFT can interconnect asynchronous grids with the key difference being that the VFT provides a true AC connection. The first asynchronous AC transmission using a VFT appeared in 2003 at Hydro-Québec’s Langlois Substation.
FACTS and HVDC
Published in Stuart Borlase, Smart Grids, 2018
Neil Kirby, Johan Enslin, Stuart Borlase, Neil Kirby, Paul Marken, Jiuping Pan, Dietmar Retzmann
A relatively new transmission device is the variable frequency transformer (VFT). A VFT is considered by many to be a “smart” device as it has the ability to control the amount of power flowing through it. Similar to an HVDC system, the VFT can interconnect asynchronous grids, with the key difference being that the VFT provides a true AC connection. The first asynchronous AC transmission using a VFT appeared in 2003 at Hydro-Québec’s Langlois Substation.
The Key Attributes, Functional Requirements, and Design Features of Resilient Nuclear Power Plants (rNPPs)
Published in Nuclear Technology, 2018
The U.S. Grid consists of three Interconnections (Eastern, Western, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas) that are connected via direct current (DC-DC) interties and variable frequency transformer (VFT)-based interties. Among other things, this intertie technology decouples Grid frequency and voltage anomalies in one Interconnection from the other. This same principle could be employed to accomplish similar goals for an rNPP and the Grid it serves. DC-DC bridges or VFT bridges (rather than traditional AC-AC interfaces) could be employed in the plant’s switchyard. This approach would buffer the rNPP from offsite transmission system and offsite power system voltage and frequency transients the plant might not otherwise be capable of tolerating. Depending on the manner in which they are implemented, the use of DC-DC and VFT rNPP-Grid interfaces could require or enable extensive redesign of many of the plant’s electrical systems. While there is a natural tendency to view this as a negative factor, it could also be viewed as an opportunity to rethink and improve some aspects of the NPP’s overall electrical design. Thus, it is difficult to assess the impact of this plant interface approach on overall performance and cost until (at least) preconceptual rNPP electrical system designs are developed.