Demonstration Study of Voltage Control of DC Grid Using Energy Management System Based DC Applications

This paper is about the development of the real-time direct current (DC) network analysis applications for the operation of DC power systems. The applications are located in the central energy management system (EMS) and provide the operator with the optimal solution for operation in real time. Developed DC applications are not limited by voltage level. Applications can be used at all DC voltage levels such as low voltage, medium voltage and high voltage. A program configuration and sequence for analyzing the DC distribution system are suggested. Algorithms of each program are presented and the differences when compared with the processes of the applications of the existing alternating current (AC) systems are analyzed. The DC grid demonstration site at the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) power testing center is introduced. The details of EMS and applications installation are described. The developed DC applications were installed in the EMS of the demonstration site and verification tests have been carried out. The configuration of the test scenario for testing the voltage control of the DC network is described. The voltage control result is analyzed and the measured data and the results of the applications are verified for compatibility by comparing them with the results of an off-line simulation tool. Finally, the future direction of the development of technology for the operation of the DC grid is introduced.