Newswise — Two University of Missouri-Rolla researchers are developing "FACTS" -- flexible AC transmission systems -- as a means to get more out of the existing electrical power grid so that it will operate more efficiently during high-demand periods, especially during the hot summer months.
"We're forcing more and more out of a structure that was built decades ago," says Dr. Mariesa Crow, UMR professor of electrical engineering. "And we're looking at new technologies that we can put in to get more out of that structure. ... Electricity is unlike many commodities in that it must be generated at the time that it is used. There is no storage, and because electricity takes the path of least impedance or resistance, this results in the overloading of power lines."
Power suppliers have little control over these power failures because they have no localized way to control the transmission network. The dated system struggles to forge on under the crippling weight of consumer demand.
"What we're looking for is a power grid that can heal itself," Crow says.
Crow and Dr. Bruce McMillin, professor of computer science, are working on locally "embedded controllers" that are placed in the electric transmission system to regulate power flow. These FACTS (flexible AC transmission system) devices will regulate the flow on certain lines during peak times, similar to gated on-ramps that limit traffic flow and encourage alternate routes.
Building new transmission lines and adding more power plants in high-demand areas are neither realistic or cost effective options, according to Crow, so engineers have to look at better, feasible ways to correct the power flow problems by looking at the electrical power infrastructure already in place.
McMillin is focusing on the computers that will control the FACTS devices. He says these computers are also subject to failure by various means, including terrorist attacks.
"Hardware can fail, software can be incorrect ... and, in the worst case, computers can be taken over by terrorists and set to confuse the FACTS network to do exactly the wrong thing," McMillin says. "Before deploying a FACTS network, these failure and security problems must be addressed. If we can do all of this, we can build and deploy a FACTS network that will be resilient to failure. The results will be to ensure continued power distribution to consumers in the event of failures or attacks."
FACTS devices will make the power systems more reliable, according to Crow. She adds that correcting the nation's power flow problems now will prevent more serious problems as time goes on.
The strain on the nation's power systems will cause an increase in blackouts during high-demand periods and hot weather. The United States will also see an increase in "rotating blackouts," which are system-controlled blackouts to conserve power in major cities, she says.
While some of the FACTS-type devices are being used in commercial application, the focus of this research is to provide essential analysis for manufacturers, and UMR researchers are leaders in developing this technology.
"Within the United States there are not many of these large devices in service at the high-voltage level," Crow says. "So in that way, it's a very new technology. ... What we do is the analysis to provide those companies with a better way of making their product."
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