Development and Test of a Cooling System for a 154 kV Superconducting Fault Current Limiter

Kim, Heesun,Han, Young Hee,Yang, Seong-Eun,Yu, Seung-Duck,Park, Byung Jun,Park, Kijun,Yoo, Jaeun,Kim, Hye-Rim,In, Sehwan,Hong, Yong Joo,Yeom, Hankil Korea Electric Power Corporation 2015 KEPCO Journal on electric power and energy Vol.1 No.1

The superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) is an electric power device that limits the fault current immediately in a power grid. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has been developing a 154 kV, 2 kA SFCL since 2011 to protect power grids from increasing fault current and improve the stability and quality of electric power. This SFCL adopts 2G YBCO wires and operates at 71 K and 5 bars. In this paper, a cooling system for the 154 kV SFCL and its cooling test results are reported. This cooling system uses a Stirling-type cooler to make sub-cooled liquid nitrogen ($LN_2$), which cools the superconductor modules of the SFCL. The $LN_2$ is circulated between the cooler and the cryostat that contains superconductor modules. The $LN_2$ also plays the role of a high voltage insulator between the modules and the cryostat, so the pressure was maintained at 5 bars for high insulation performance. After installation in a test site, the cooling characteristics of the system were tested. In this operation test, some important data were measured such as temperature distribution in $LN_2$, pressure change, performance of the heat exchanger, and cooling capacity of the total system. Consequently, the results indicate that the cooling system operates well as designed.

Allocation of Energy Storage Capacity for Large Wind Farms in Korea using Discrete Fourier Transform

Moon, Seung-pil,Labios, Remund,Chang, Byung-hoon,Kim, Soo-yeol,Yoon, Yong-beum Korea Electric Power Corporation 2016 KEPCO Journal on electric power and energy Vol.2 No.3

In 2013, a total capacity of 591.3 MW of installed wind power generation was achieved in Korea, with a total of 1,139 MWh of wind energy generated that year. More wind power plants will be installed in the coming years, and it is important to develop methods to reduce the output variability of these resources so as to provide stable power to the power grid of Korea. In this regard, this paper proposes the use of energy storage system (ESS) as a means to stabilize the output variability of wind power plants. Presented in this paper is a method that uses Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) to determine the ESS capacity needed to provide a stable power output for ancillary services such as frequency regulation, economic dispatch, and emergency reserves. In the first step of the proposed method, four regions (namely, Samdal, Yeongdeok, Yeongyang, and Gangwon) in Korea that had the most wind power generation capacity were selected for analysis. In the second step, the individual and aggregated wind power outputs of the selected regions in 2013 were obtained This information was then used in the third step, where DFT analysis of the power outputs was used to drive the magnitudes of the output variation. And finally, the ESS capacity requirements needed to provide different ancillary services were determined based on the magnitudes of the output variation.

Performance Analysis of Upgrading Process with Amine-Based CO₂ Capture Pilot Plant

Kwak, No-Sang,Lee, Junghyun,Lee, Dong Woog,Lee, Ji Hyun,Shim, Jae-Goo Korea Electric Power Corporation 2018 KEPCO Journal on electric power and energy Vol.4 No.1

This study applied upgrades to the processes of a 10 MW wet amine $CO_2$ capture pilot plant and conducted performance evaluation. The 10 MW $CO_2$ Capture Pilot Plant is a facility that applies 1/50 of the combustion flue gas produced from a 500 MW coal-fired power plant, and is capable of capturing up to 200 tons of $CO_2$. This study aimed to quantitatively measure efficiency improvements of post-combustion $CO_2$ capture facilities resulting from process upgrades to propose reliable data for the first time in Korea. The key components of the process upgrades involve absorber intercooling, lean/rich amine exchanger efficiency improvements, reboiler steam TVR (Thermal Vapor Recompression), and lean amine MVR (Mechanical Vapor Recompression). The components were sequentially applied to test the energy reduction effect of each component. In addition, the performance evaluation was conducted with the absorber $CO_2$ removal efficiency maintained at the performance evaluation standard value proposed by the IEA-GHG ($CO_2$ removal rate: 90%). The absorbent used in the study was the highly efficient KoSol-5 that was developed by KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation). From the performance evaluation results, it was found that the steam consumption (regeneration energy) for the regeneration of the absorbent decreased by $0.38GJ/tonCO_2$ after applying the process upgrades: from $2.93GJ/ton\;CO_2$ to $2.55GJ/tonCO_2$. This study confirmed the excellent performance of the post-combustion wet $CO_2$ capture process developed by KEPCO Research Institute (KEPRI) within KEPCO, and the process upgrades validated in this study are expected to substantially reduce $CO_2$ capture costs when applied in demonstration $CO_2$ capture plants.

Power Flow Calculation Method of DC Distribution Network for Actual Power System

Kim, Juyong,Cho, Jintae,Kim, Hongjoo,Cho, Youngpyo,Lee, Hansang Korea Electric Power Corporation 2020 KEPCO Journal on electric power and energy Vol.6 No.4

DC distribution system has been evaluated as an excellent one in comparison with existing AC distribution network because it needs fewer power conversion stages and the full capacity of the equipment can be used without consideration for power factor. Recently, research and development on the implementation of DC distribution networks have been progressed globally based on the rapid advancement in power-electronics technology, and the technological developments from the viewpoint of infrastructure are also in progress. However, to configure a distribution network which is a distribution line for DC, more accurate and rapid introduction of analysis technology is needed for the monitoring, control and operation of the system, which ensure the system run flexible and efficiently. However, in case of a bipolar DC distribution network, there are two buses acting as slack buses, so the Jacobian matrix cannot be configured. Without solving this problem, DC distribution network cannot be operated when the network is unbalanced. Therefore, this paper presented a comprehensive method of analysis with consideration of operating elements which are directly connected between neutral electric potential caused by the unbalanced of load in DC distribution network with bipolar structure.

Performances of Li-Ion Batteries Using LiNi_1-x-yCo_xMn_yO₂ as Cathode Active Materials in Frequency Regulation Application for Power Systems

Choi, Jin Hyeok,Kwon, Soon-Jong,Lim, Jungho,Lim, Ji-Hun,Lee, Sung-Eun,Park, Kwangyong Korea Electric Power Corporation 2020 KEPCO Journal on electric power and energy Vol.6 No.4

There are many application fields of electrical energy storage such as load shifting, integration with renewables, frequency or voltage supports, and so on. Especially, the frequency regulation is needed to stabilize the electric power system, and there have to be more than 1 GW as power reserve in Korea. Ni-rich layered oxide cathode materials have been investigated as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries because of their higher discharge capacity and lower cost than lithium cobalt oxide. Nonetheless, most of them have been investigated using small coin cells, and therefore, there is a limit to understand the deterioration mode of Ni-rich layered oxides in commercial high energy Li-ion batteries. In this paper, the pouch-type 20 Ah-scale Li-ion full cells are fabricated using Ni-rich layered oxides as a cathode and graphite as an anode. Above all, two test conditions for the application of frequency regulation were established in order to examine the performances of cells. Then, the electrochemical performances of two types of Ni-rich layered oxides are compared, and the long-term performance and degradation mode of the cell using cathode material with high nickel contents among them were investigated in the frequency regulation conditions.

Gas-Solid Heat Transfer Analysis of Bubbling Fluidized Bed at Bottom Ash Cooler

이규화,김동원,이종민,박경일,박병철,Gyu-Hwa, Lee,Dongwon, Kim,Jong-min, Lee,Kyoungil, Park,Byeongchul, Park Korea Electric Power Corporation 2022 KEPCO Journal on electric power and energy Vol.8 No.2

In this study we investigated the gas to solid heat transfer of bubbling fluidized bed bottom ash cooler installed at the Donghae power plant in South Korea. Several different analyses are done through 1-D calculations and 3-D CFD simulation to predict the bottom ash exit temperatures when it exits the ash cooler. Three different cases are set up to have consideration of unburnt carbon in the bottom ash. Sensible heat comparison and heat transfer calculation between the fluidization air and the bottom ash are conducted and 3-D CFD analysis is done on three cases. We have obtained the results that the bottom ash with unburnt carbon is exiting the ash cooler, exceeding the targeted temperature from both 1-D calculation and 3-D CFD simulation.

Development of Eco-friendly Electric Transmission Towers in KEPCO

Lee, Won-kyo,Mun, Sung-Duk,Shin, Kooyong Korea Electric Power Corporation 2019 KEPCO Journal on electric power and energy Vol.5 No.3

Lattice towers and tubular steel poles have been commonly used for electrical power transmission in Korea. They are durable, structurally stable, simple and can easily be constructed in limited spaces. However, residents are opposed to construct transmission lattice towers in their areas because they are not visually attractive, and electrical field occur at the transmission lines. Underground transmissions have been used instead of the traditional towers to resolve these problems, however they are not cost effective to construct and run. Therefore, we have developed eco-friendly towers that are more attractive, well blending into the surrounding environment, and much more economical than underground transmissions. There are four categories of the eco-friendly electric transmission towers about design aspects. Firstly, there is decoration type such as tree tower and ensemble tower. Tree tower looks like actual trees with leaves and branches so it blends into surroundings. Ensemble towers were designed after pair of crane birds. Those towers have decoration features and art works. Structural examination and manufacturing this type would be very similar to the conventional transmission towers. Secondly, there is arm design type such as traditional tower. Design features are added to the existing towers. As partial design can be adoptable on these types, it can easily meet height regulations and attach to conventional lattice towers and tubular steel poles. Also, these towers are more economical than others. Third category is multipurpose type such as Sail Tower. These towers have simple pole or tubular structure with features which can be used as information message board, public relations and much more. This type will face greater wind pressure because of the area of the board, also visibility must take into consideration. Lastly, there is moulding type such as arc pylon. It is different shape to the conventional towers - lattice towers and tubular steel poles. Dramatic design changes have been adapted - from a hard and static tower to a soft and curved tower. These towers will well stand out in the field. However, structural examination and manufacturing this type would be difficult and costly. Also certain towers of this type would require scaffolding or false work to construct, which will result in limitations of the construction area. This paper shows KEPCO 154 kV Sail tower in detail. KEPCO 154 kV Sail tower that is included in fabrication of sample tower and tower testing has developed and the results are presented in this paper. We hope that sail tower is also considered as a solution to have public acceptance or to create a familiar atmosphere among towers and people in coastal area.

Experimental Evaluation of Cohesion Properties for Various Coals

Kim, Minsu,Lee, Yongwoon,Ryu, Changkook,Park, Ho Young,Lee, Hyun Soo Korea Electric Power Corporation 2016 KEPCO Journal on electric power and energy Vol.2 No.2

Assessing the handling properties of coal becomes a major issue for the operation of a fuel supply system in power plants, due to the increased types of coal imported into Korea. In this study, the cohesion strengths of 13 bituminous and sub-bituminous coals from different countries were tested by measuring the amount of force that leads to a failure of consolidated particles. The particle size was in the range of 0.1-2.8 mm, which represents the coarse particles before pulverization. While the cohesion strength was proportional to the compression force in the tested range, the effects of the surface moisture content and the weight fraction of fines were crucial for cohesive coals. At fixed conditions of surface moisture and particle size, large variations were found in the cohesion propensity between coals. For coals of 0.1-0.5 mm with the moisture added close to the critical value, cohesive coals had the density over $900kg/m^3$ after consolidation. The cohesion propensity was not correlated with the basic properties of coals with sufficient statistical significance.

Development of the Control System for Fast-Responding Frequency Regulation in Power Systems using Large-Scale Energy Storage Systems

Lim, Geon-Pyo,Park, Chan-Wook,Labios, Remund,Yoon, Yong-Beom Korea Electric Power Corporation 2015 KEPCO Journal on electric power and energy Vol.1 No.1

Energy storage systems (ESS) can be used to provide frequency regulation services in a power system to replace traditional frequency regulation power plants. Battery ESS, in particular, can provide "fast-responding frequency regulation," wherein the facility can respond immediately and accurately to the frequency regulation signal sent by the system operator. This paper presents the development and the trial run results of a frequency regulation control system that uses large-scale ESS for use in a large power system. The control system was developed initially for the 4 MW ESS demonstration facility in Jocheon Jeju Island, and was further developed for use in the 28 MW ESS facility at the Seo-Anseong substation and the 24 MW ESS facility at the Shin-Yongin substation to provide frequency regulation services within mainland Korea. The ESS facility in Seo-Anseong substation responds to a sudden drop in frequency via governor-free control, while the ESS facility in Shin-Yongin responds via automatic generator control (AGC).

Numerical Simulation of Environmental Change in South West Offshore Wind Farm Using MIKE

Kim, Minsuek,Kim, Jiyoung,Jeon, In-sung Korea Electric Power Corporation 2021 KEPCO Journal on electric power and energy Vol.7 No.1

Environmental change due to construction of large offshore wind farm has been a debate for a long time in Korea. There are various data acquired on hydrodynamics around this area before and during construction of offshore wind farm but no data during operation could be made due to delayed schedule. In this study, environmental change such as bathymetry change and scouring was forecasted using MIKE, numerical hydrodynamics model, and its results were validated using the observation data before and during construction.