Volt / VAR Studies Using

WindMil
Jim  Cross,  P.E.  
Engineering  Supervisor  
Homer  Electric  Associa:on,  Inc.  
Kenai,  Alaska  
Outline
•  What is a Volt-VAR Study?
•  How are volts and VARs related?
•  Math? How Can WindMil Help Me?
•  Case Study
•  Questions?
What  is  a  Volt-­‐VAR  Study?  
The  concept  of  Voltage/VAR  management  or  
control  is  essen:al  to  an  electrical  u:lity’s  ability  
to  deliver  power  within  appropriate  voltage  
limits  so  that  its  consumers’  equipment  
operates  properly,  to  reduce  system  demand,  
and  to  deliver  power  at  an  op:mal  power  factor  
to  minimize  losses.  These  concepts  are  affected  
by  a  variety  of  factors  throughout  the  
distribu:on  system.  
Why?  
•  Pressure  from  regulatory  bodies  for  u:li:es  to  
improve  system  reliability  and  reduce  
environmental  impacts  
•  Financial  pressures  to  reduce  costs  
•  Poli:cal  pressures  to  improve  efficiency  
•  Improvements  in  technologies  make  these  
types  of  studies  more  prac:cal  to  perform  on  
a  system  that  is  constantly  changing  
Voltage  Regula:on  
•  Feeder  voltage  regula:on  refers  to  the  
management  of  voltages  on  a  feeder  with  varying  
load  condi:ons.  Regardless  of  nominal  opera:ng  
voltage,  a  u:lity’s  distribu:on  system  is  designed  
to  deliver  power  to  consumers  within  a  
predefined  voltage  range.    
•  Under  normal  condi:ons,  the  service  and  
u:liza:on  voltages  must  remain  within  ANSI  
standard  C84.1  limits,  defined  as  Range  A.    
Voltage  Regula:on  
•  During  high  load  condi:ons,  the  source  voltage  at  
the  substa:on  is  at  the  higher  end  of  this  range  
and  the  service  voltages  at  the  end  of  the  feeder  
are  at  the  lower  end  of  the  range.  We  generally  
try  to  minimize  “drops”  between  voltage  
regula:on  points  and  from  voltage  regula:on  
points  to  the  consumers.  
•  Impact  of  Distributed  Energy  Resources  (DERs)  on  
the  distribu:on  system,  as  they  become  more  
prevalent.  
VAR  Regula:on  
•  All  AC  power  systems  require  a  combina:on  of  real  
power  (wa\s)  and  reac:ve  power  (VARs).  Real  power  
has  tradi:onally  been  supplied  by  a  remote  generator  
while  reac:ve  power  can  be  supplied  either  by  a  
remote  generator  or  a  local  VAR  supply,  such  as  a  
capacitor.    
•  Delivery  of  reac:ve  power  from  a  remote  VAR  supply  
results  in  addi:onal  feeder  voltage  drop  and  losses  due  
to  increased  current  flow.  This  also  takes  up  line  
capacity  that  could  be  used  to  deliver  real  power.  This  
is  why  u:li:es  prefer  to  deliver  reac:ve  power  from  a  
local  source.    
VAR  Regula:on  
•  Since  demand  for  reac:ve  power  is  higher  
during  heavy  load  condi:ons  than  light  load  
condi:ons,  VAR  supply  on  a  distribu:on  
feeder  is  regulated  or  controlled  by  switching  
capacitors  on  during  periods  of  high  demand  
and  off  during  periods  of  low  demand.    
•  As  with  voltage  control,  there  are  both  feeder  
design  considera:ons  (to  minimize  capital  
costs)  and  opera:ng  considera:ons.  
Outline
•  What is a Volt-VAR Study?
•  How are volts and VARs related?
•  Math? How Can WindMil Help Me?
•  Case Study
•  Questions?
Model  Elements  &  Parameters  
WindMil  helps  us  manage  model  elements  &  
data  for  our  system  models,  including:  
•  substa:on  bus  voltages  
•  length  of  feeders  &  conductor  sizing  
•  overhead  versus  underground  construc:on  
•  type,  size,  and  loca:on  of  different  loads  
•  line  voltage  regula:on  
•  line  kVAR  sources  
•  type,  size,  and  loca:on  of  distributed  energy  
resources  (DERs)  
Capacitors  –  The  Math  
Capacitors  are  one  of  the  
elementary  electrical  
elements.  Conver:ng  
from  farads  to  VARs  is  
very  straighborward:  
 
Q  =  ​𝑉2/𝑋𝑐   =  ​𝑉2/(2𝜋𝑓  
𝐶)   
 
Generally  speaking,  this  
means  that:  
Q  ⍺  𝑉2  
Capacitors  in  WindMil  
Capacitor  Data  includes:  
•  Connec:on  Data  
•  kVAR  ra:ng  
•  Voltage  Ra:ng  
 
 
 
 
Switching  Op:ons:  
•  Status  
•  Switch  Type  
•  Control  Info  
Transformers  –  The  Math  
Assuming  an  ideal  transformer  model:  
•  V  is  directly  propor:onal  to  turns  ra:o  
•  I  is  inversely  propor:onal  to  turns  ra:o  
Transformers  in  WindMil  
Element  Editor  is  
where  we  enter:  
•  Connec:on  info  
•  Rated  Input  Voltage  
•  Rated  Output  Voltage  
•  Nominal  Output  
 
 
 
Equipment  Editor  is  
where  we  enter:  
•  Impedance  data  
•  kVA  info  
•  No-­‐load  losses  
•  Padmount?  
Regulators  –  The  Math  
A  typical  voltage  regulator  
is  essen:ally  a  1  :  1.1  
auto-­‐transformer.  The  
extra  10%  winding  has  a  
series  of  tabs  so  may  be  
tapped  in  different  
“steps”  to  change  the  
voltage  ra:o.  The  winding  
is  also  electrically  
reversible  so  the  regulator  
can  raise  (boost)  or  lower  
(buck)  the  adjustable  side.  
Regulators  –  The  Math  
Each  adjacent  pair  of  winding  
tabs  represents  a  1​1/4   %  
change.  The  bridging  reactor  
has  a  pair  of  jaws  that  make  
up  the  electrical  connec:ons.  
•  When  the  bridging  reactor  
taps  a  pair  of  adjacent  tabs  it  
creates  an  “odd”  step.  
•  When  the  bridging  reactor  
taps  a  single  tab  it  creates  an  
“even”  step.  
•  The  current  divider  created  on  
an  odd  step  creates  the    ​𝟓/𝟖   
%  step  we  are  used  to  seeing.  
Regulators  (or  LTCs)  in  WindMil  
Element  Editor  is  
where  we  enter:  
•  Connec:on  info  
•  Phasing  
•  How  we  see  selngs  
•  Setpoint  
•  L/D  comp  if  used  
•  1st  House  Limits  
•  Bypassed?  
 
 
Equipment  Editor  
is  where  we  enter:  
•  CT  and  amp  ra:ngs  
•  %  boost  &  #  of  steps  
•  Bandwidth  
Underground  Cable  –  The  Math  
Given  two  parallel  conductors  separated  by  a  
distance  d,  each  with  a  radius  r  and  energized  by  
voltage  source  V,  each  conductor  will  carry  q  
colombs  of  charge.  
Using  Gauss’s  law  we  can  derive  a  general  
formula  for  the  poten:al  difference  between  
these  two  conductors  
𝑉=​𝑞/𝜋𝜀   ln  ​𝑑/𝑟   

If  we  rearrange  a  bit  we  can  get  

𝐶=  ​𝑄/𝑉   =  ​𝜋𝜀/​ln⁠​𝑑/𝑟     
Underground  Cable  –  The  Math  
𝐶=  ​𝑄/𝑉   =  ​𝜋𝜀/​ln⁠​𝑑/𝑟       
 
This  is  a  general  formula  to  calculate  capacitance.  This  tells  us  the  capacitance  is  
dependent  on:  
•  Conductor  size  
•  Conductor  spacing  
•  Length  of  line  
•  Permilvity  of  the  dielectric  between  the  conductor  
 
Underground  cable  will  generally  have  much  higher  capacitance  than  its  OH  
equivalent  due  to:  
•  Much  smaller  spacing  between  conductors  
•  Higher  permilvity  of  dielectric  (2-­‐6  :mes  that  of  𝜀0)  
Underground  Cable  –  The  Math  
If  we  refer  to  our  favorite  text  for  distribu:on  system  analysis  
(Chapter  5)  we  will  find  versions  of  our  general  equa:ons  
derived  for  both  concentric  neutral  and  tape  shielded  cables.  
We  will  also  find  expressions  for  shunt  admi\ances  so  we  
build  our  shunt  admi\ance  matrix  [yabc]  that  WindMil  uses  to  
compute  UG  line  charging:  

█■𝑦𝑎𝑎&𝑦𝑎𝑏&𝑦
𝑦𝑎𝑏𝑐=     𝑎𝑐@𝑦𝑏𝑎&𝑦𝑏𝑏 ​𝜇𝑆⁄𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒  (𝑜𝑟  1000  𝑓𝑡)   
&𝑦𝑏𝑐@𝑦𝑐𝑎&𝑦
𝑐𝑏&𝑦𝑐𝑐   
Underground  Cable  in  WindMil  

Besides  Length  and  #  of  Non-­‐Concentric  

neutrals,  there  are  two  items  in  the  
Equipment  Editor  you  need  to  have  right:  
•  Conductor  defini:on  
•  Construc:on  
 
 
Underground  Cable  in  WindMil  

•  This  is  where  you  define  the  

conductor  size  (r),  spacing  
between  conductors  (d),  and  the  
dielectric  constant  (𝜀).

•  You  also  has  to  describe  the  

concentric  neutral  type  (if  used)  
Underground  Cable  in  WindMil  

•  Don’t  forget  to  define  Construc:on  

type,  par:cularly  distance  between  
conductors.  

•  You  can  enter  data  on  any  of  the  tabs,  

but  I  suspect  most  of  us  use  this  one.  
Overhead  Lines  –  The  Math  

•  Calcula:ons  for  Overhead  Lines  is  similar  

to  previous  UG  calcs.  
•  Carson’s  equa:ons  generally  applied  in  a  
similar  fashion  to  calcula:ng  OH  series  
impedances.  
•  When  there  is  a  grounded  neutral  
conductor,  Kron  reduc:on  method  is  used  
to  compute  a  3  x  3  coefficient  matrix.  
Overhead  Lines  in  WindMil  
Element  Editor:  
•  Phase  &  Neutral  Conductors  
•  #  Neutrals  
•  Length  

 
Construc:on  Equipment:  
•  All  of  the  Pole-­‐top  geometry  
Voltage  Drop  Op:ons  –  Calculate  Charging  

•  By  default,  WindMil  will  calculate  

charging  on  UG  elements,  but  not  OH.  
•  This  is  an  Analysis  Op:on  in  the  Voltage  
Drop  Analysis  Manager  selngs.  
•  If  you  want  to  include  line  charging  
don’t  forget  to  check.  
Generators  (DERs)  
Depending  on  user  
choice,  one  can  model  as  
a  nega:ve  load  (think  PQ  
bus),  or  as  an  ac:ve  
source  (think  PV  bus).  
 
•  PQ  us  is  very  straight-­‐
forward  
•  PV  bus  is  almost  as  
easy.  One  just  needs  
to  know  something  
about  the  generator’s  
reac:ve  capability  
curve.  
Load  Models  
WindMil  uses  a  polynomial  load  model,  more  
oven  referred  to  as  a  ZIP  Model  
•  Constant  impedance  (Z)  
•  Constant  current  (I)  
•  Constant  power  (P)  
   
Load  Models  –  The  Math  
•  P0,Q0,  and  𝑉0  are  rated  values  (ini:al  condi:ons),  ¯ˉ𝑉   =  𝑉  /  𝑉0  
o  P  =  P0    (p1¯ˉ𝑉 2  +  p2¯ˉ𝑉   +  p3)  
o  Q  =  Q0(q1¯ˉ𝑉 2  +  q2¯ˉ𝑉   +  q3)  

•  When  P0,  Q0,  and  𝑉0  are  rated  values  

o  p1+  p2+  p3  =  1  
o  q1  +  q2  +  q3  =  1  
 
•  Rela:ng  back  to  previous  slides  
o  p1  =  constant  Z  
o  p2  =  constant  I  
o  p3  =  constant  P  
 
Load  Models  in  WindMil  
•  As  seen  before,  WindMil  gives  users  the  
ability  to  set  up  different  load  mixes  for  
different  load  types  on  your  system.  

•  Remember,  these  percentages  must  add  

to  1.0.  
Load  Alloca:on  in  WindMil  
Load  Alloca:on  choices  not  only  
affect  kW,  but  how  the  kVARs  are  
allocated  throughout  the  loads.  
 
Generally,  kVARs  are  appor:oned  
to  fixed  sources  (including  line  
caps),  and  remainder  generally  
allocated  amongst  a  “swing”  
group.  
 
As  with  kW  alloca:ons,  one  need  
to  make  sure  there  are  enough  
kVARs  to  accurately  allocate  the  
fixed  sources,  with  enough  lev  to  
allocate  elsewhere.  
Load  Model  Challenges  
•  Deriving  percentages  (p1,  p2,  p3)  is  an  art  
•  Not  only  do  your  load  magnitudes  change  over  the  
course  of  a  day,  but  so  you  your  ZIP  model  percentages  
•  If  performing  a  CVR  study,  do  you  have  enough  constant  
Z  and  constant  I  loads  on  peak  to  make  to  make  a  
significant  difference?  
•  Where  do  you  get  power  factor  data  for  your  loads,  
par:cularly  your  residen:al  loads,  typically  metered  with  
a  simple  2S  meter?  
Sources  

Sources  are  generally  straight-­‐

forward.  One  needs  to  set  Bus  
Voltage  based  upon  the  chosen  
Base  Out  Voltage.  
 
Is  Source  Regulated?  
 
Source  can  be  a  Load  Alloca:on  
Control  Point  based  on  how  
model  is  set-­‐up.  
Outline
•  What is a Volt-VAR Study?
•  How are volts and VARs related?
•  Math? How Can WindMil Help Me?
•  Case Study
•  Questions?
Case  Study  
 virtually  flat,  shows  no  
Feeder  is  mostly  year-­‐

VERY  rural  in  nature.  

some  seasonal  small  

kW  loading  is  typical  

round  residen:al,    

correla:on  to  kW  

KVAR  loading  is  
businesses.  

for  coop.  

loads.  
 

5/1/16  0:00  
4/30/16  0:00  
4/29/16  0:00  
4/28/16  0:00  
4/27/16  0:00  
4/26/16  0:00  
4/25/16  0:00  
4/24/16  0:00  
4/23/16  0:00  
4/22/16  0:00  
Feeder  Load  Analysis  

4/21/16  0:00  
4/20/16  0:00  
APT  422  -­‐  April  2016  
APT  422  kVAR  

4/19/16  0:00  
4/18/16  0:00  
4/17/16  0:00  
4/16/16  0:00  
4/15/16  0:00  
APT  422  kW  

4/14/16  0:00  
4/13/16  0:00  
4/12/16  0:00  
4/11/16  0:00  
4/10/16  0:00  
4/9/16  0:00  
4/8/16  0:00  
4/7/16  0:00  
4/6/16  0:00  
4/5/16  0:00  
4/4/16  0:00  
4/3/16  0:00  
4/2/16  0:00  
4/1/16  0:00  

-­‐500  
500  

0  

-­‐1,000  

-­‐1,500  
2,000  

1,500  

1,000  
Outline
•  What is a Volt-VAR Study?
•  How are volts and VARs related?
•  Math? How Can WindMil Help Me?
•  Case Study
•  Questions?
Ques:ons???