Title:  Resonance-based Series Compensating Fault Current Limiter (RSCFCL)

Committee: 

Dr. Habetler, Advisor    

Dr. Grijalva, Chair

Dr. Graber

Abstract:

The objective of this proposed research is to design a new device for the power distribution system, namely resonance-based series compensating fault current limiter (RSCFCL) which facilitates the integration of the local PV generation systems (e.g., rooftop PVs). The fundamental operation of this device is to deliberately change line impedance in a distribution system to enhance the system capacity such that the system can accommodate more PV generation systems. Also, RSCFCL can improve the reliability of the distribution system by limiting the fault current and prevent an unscheduled outage. Therefore, RSCFCL increases the hosting capacity, and, at the same time, improve the reliability of a distribution system. An efficient RSCFCL must fulfill the requirements of both series compensator and fault current limiter (FCL) which are mutually exclusive. As such, this research study starts with the design of a resonance-based FCL (RFCLs) and then it will be modified to be a series compensator during normal conditions.