Enhancing resilience in the distribution networks to wind storms causing power outages affecting essential loads.
| dc.contributor.author | Ndhlovu, Likonge | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-12-04T13:04:20Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-12-04T13:04:20Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023 | |
| dc.description | Thesis of Master’s Degree in Electrical Power Engineering | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study, which was conducted and analyzed, examined the causes of power outages affecting essential loads such as hospitals, fire stations and many others due to storms, which caused the power distribution network's wooden poles to fall to the ground. The storm had wind speeds ranging from 30 to 60 meters per second. Due to this, there was a need to enhance the resilience of the distribution network against wind storms. Therefore, two best options were implemented to solve this problem that was hardening the 33kV lines connecting essential loads and integrating PV plants with battery storage on their buses. In the first method, class 1–4 wooden poles were tested to see if they could withstand the storm. From 30 m/s to 40 m/s, all classes of pole passed the test, however, at 50 m/s, only class 1 wooden poles were successful. At 60 m/s, all classes of wooden poles failed the test, so PV plants with battery storage were integrated into the distribution network and during the storm, the network continued supplying the essential loads in island mode of operation. The Python programming language was used to create a program that determined the failed pole class during the storm based on the fragility curve's probability of failure. Therefore, after integrating PV plants with battery storage, a grid impact study was conducted to determine if they would operate in accordance with the Zambia grid code, which they did. To measure the resilience of the distribution network, resilience indices were calculated and analyzed. Therefore, the active power supplied to the distribution network was calculated before, during, and after the storm, keeping in mind that maybe the 33kV lines connecting essential loads fell on the ground, causing an outage. Hence, PowerFactory DIgSILENT 2018 was the computer software that was used to calculate the active power supplied. The test distribution network was the Kasama distribution network. In conclusion, after implementing the two best options, the distribution network's resilience against storms causing power outages affecting essential loads was enhanced | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dspace.unza.zm/handle/123456789/8983 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | The University of Zambia | |
| dc.title | Enhancing resilience in the distribution networks to wind storms causing power outages affecting essential loads. | |
| dc.type | Thesis |