Postgraduate Electrical and Information Engineering Symposium 2015 - B

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, September 11, 2015

Investigation into Micro-grids with Renewable Energy Sources for use as High
Reliability Electrical Power Supply in Nuclear Facilities
Gerard R. Lekhema, Prof Willie Cronje (Wits)
School of Electrical & Information Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa
glekhema@nnr.co.za

Abstract: This M.Sc. research proposal proposes an investigation into the use of micro-grids with
renewable energy (RE) sources to provide high reliability electrical power to nuclear facilities.
Reliable electrical power is required to safely operate a nuclear reactor and also to remove residual
decay heat from the nuclear reactor in shutdown state. The reliability of electrical supply at the
nuclear facilities is currently guaranteed through the application of diesel generators, uninterruptible
power supplies (UPS) and battery banks which are used as backup to the grid power supply.
Various projects have demonstrated that the micro-grid system provides reliable integration and
control of RE sources. However, there is currently no research work that addresses the application
of a micro-grid system with RE sources into nuclear facilities.

Keywords: Micro-grid, Nuclear reactor, Backup Power, UPS, Distributed Energy Sources (DES),
Energy Storage Devices (ESD)

1. Introduction power supplies in the nuclear facilities [4],

In this M.Sc., an investigation will be carried
out to determine the feasibility of using
micro-grids with renewable energy sources to
supply reliable electrical power in nuclear
facilities. Most of the commercial nuclear
facilities around the world were built in the
early 1960s and diesel generators were used
as the main backup power source to ensure
reliable power supply to the facilities.
However progressive developments have
demonstrated that the micro-grid systems with
renewable energy sources and energy storage
devices can provide reliable power to safety
critical facilities such as hospitals, chemical
plants, etc. [1]. The energy sources such as
photovoltaic solar energy and wind energy are
attractive environmentally friendly options as
compared to the diesel generators.
The renewed research interest into the
reliability of electrical power supplies in the
nuclear facilities was brought about by the
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant
accident which occurred in March 2011[7].
Organizations, utilities and academics
worldwide are currently investigating
strategies to improve the reliability of the
[5], [17]. Although this research work is
extensive, but none of them are currently
investigating the application of the micro-grid
system with renewable energy sources in
nuclear facilities.
2. Background Information
2.1. Micro-grid System
The micro-grid is considered as a medium-to-
low voltage power distribution network
comprising distributed energy sources (DES),
energy storage devices (ESD) and
controllable loads operated as a single,
autonomous grid to reliably supply power
either in a host grid connected mode or
standalone (islanded) mode [6], [21].The DES
in the micro-grid depend on a variety of
factors which include location and availability
of different technologies. The typical DES
include photovoltaic power, wind power,
ocean power (wave and tidal), geothermal
power, micro-turbine and reciprocating
engine (i.e. diesel generator).

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An important feature of the micro-grid system
is the ability to operate in both grid-connected
mode and islanded mode including the
seamless transition between the two modes. In
grid-connected mode, the voltage and
frequency of the micro-grid are controlled by
the utility grid while the DES supply constant
active and reactive power [6]. In islanded
mode, primary and secondary control
techniques are utilized. The primary control
technique involves control of the inverter
output using power sharing control technique.
Frequency active power and voltage
reactive power droop characteristics are used
in the power sharing control scheme. The
secondary control technique involves a
centralised approach with a central controller
managing parameters such as capacities of
DES, state of charge of ESD and forecasting
of non-dispatchable DES. The output of
secondary controller provides reference for
the parameters of primary controller [6].
An existing project that demonstrates the
reliability of the micro-grid system is the
Consortium for Electric Reliability
Technology Solutions (CERTS) micro-grid in
operation at Santa Rita Jail. The system is
crucial for the safety of officers, staff and
inmates and is used to provide reliable power
to the jail. It is comprised of photovoltaic
power, wind power, hydrogen fuel cell,
batteries and diesel generators [8].
2.2 Nuclear Reactor
The primary purpose of non-proliferation
nuclear reactor is to contain and control
sustained nuclear fission chain reaction in
order to safely release nuclear energy. Two
types of the nuclear reactors are power and
non-power reactors. The power reactors are
used in electricity generation, marine
propulsion and heating. The non-power
reactors are used for conducting research,
producing medical isotopes and agricultural
products, food preservation and water
treatment [9]. Three fundamental safety
functions must be ensured at all times when
dealing with the nuclear reactor. These
functions are control of nuclear reactivity,
removal of heat energy from the nuclear
reactor core and confinement of radioactive
materials [10]. During normal operations, the
heat energy is extracted from the reactor core
to perform work such as electricity
generation, production of radioactive
isotopes, etc.
After shutdown, the nuclear reactor continues
to generate heat energy in the form of beta
and gamma rays from decaying nuclear
fission products. This residual heat amounts
to about 7% of the total thermal output power
of the reactor [11]. The nuclear reactor of a
typical 900 MW nuclear power plant
generates about 2700 MW of thermal power.
It implies that the reactor will continue
generating about 189 MW of thermal power
immediately after shutdown. The residual
heat follows a logarithmic decay graph over
time. This means that the residual heat will be
7% after shutdown, 2% at 1 hour, 1% at 5
hours, 0.5% at 1 day and 0.1% at 10 days
[12].
The generated residual heat requires
continued operation of active and/or passive
reactor core cooling systems in order to
prevent the overheating of the reactor core
and nuclear fuel meltdown. The active
cooling system requires electrical power to
drive the cooling pumps whereas passive
cooling system relies on natural circulation,
gravity or compressed air to transfer heat
from the core [13].
2.3 Electrical Power in Nuclear Facilities
The reliability of power supplies to the
nuclear facility is one of the main factors
which contribute to the risk of the nuclear
reactor meltdown. The systems providing
safety functions such as cooling, protection
and monitoring are classified as safety
systems and should be supplied with robust,
reliable and diverse electrical power sources
[3].
2
The electrical power systems utilized at the
nuclear facility are classified as normal power
supply (offsite grid power or power plant
generator) and emergency power supply
(onsite back-up power) systems.
The normal power supply is the preferred
source of power and supplies both safety and
non-safety systems during start-up and
shutdown states (in both normal and accident
conditions). In most countries, offsite grid
power is considered to have higher
availability and reliability than onsite backup
power because of diverse and multiple
generators connected to the offsite
transmission system [2]. The general
illustration of power supplies for nuclear
power plant is given in figure 1.
Figure 1: General illustration of electrical
power systems at nuclear power plant
2.4 Design Requirements of Power Systems
Both the normal and backup electrical
systems that supply power to the safety
systems should be designed for high
functional reliability and have the capability
to supply power in any operational state as
well as during design basis or severe accident
situations. At least two independent grid
transmission lines are required for supplying
or evacuating power to or from the nuclear
facility as shown in figure 1. For improved
robustness, the onsite backup power systems
should be designed with redundant,
independent and diverse components and
sources [10]. These design features minimizes
the effects of single failures and common
cause failures on the systems. The voltage and
frequency of the power supplies should be
controlled within predefined limits for stable
and reliable operation of the safety systems
[3], [14]. In nuclear power plants, the
standards stipulate 1% frequency deviation
and 5% voltage deviation [2].
The additional design requirements for the
safety systems power supplies include
testability, maintainability, capability,
availability, reliability, equipment
qualification (seismic and environmental),
status indication, etc.[15].
2.5 Current Research on Power Supply for
Nuclear Facilities
One of the key drivers for research into the
improvement of backup power supplies in the
nuclear facilities is the accident that occurred
at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant [7].
The Fukushima Daiichi plant is comprised of
four reactors and one reactor was at cold
shutdown state when the accident occurred.
The earthquake let to the ultimate loss of
offsite power and the diesel generators failed
to start as a result of flooding due to tsunami.
This led to a situation called station blackout
where all AC power (excluding AC from
UPS) is lost. The reactors were shutdown
with control rods but the residual decay heat
continued heating up the reactor cores. Due to
unavailability of AC power to the cooling
systems, the meltdown of the nuclear fuel
occurred at the three reactor units. The
radioactive materials were eventually released
to the environment due to the hydrogen
explosions which compromised the integrity
of the containment structures.
3
Some of the lessons that were learnt and
solutions proposed from the accident are
summarized in [16] and [17]. It was observed
from the accident that the use of diesel
generators alone for high power AC loads is
inadequate. Furthermore, the UPS and battery
bank supply power for a limited period of
time (about 4 6 hours), after which an
external source is required to replenish the
depleted power. The accident revealed that
robust backup AC power is required to power
the residual heat removal systems and AC
instrumentation and control systems.
Furthermore, it revealed that robust backup
DC power is required to power the DC
instrumentation and control systems.
There has been extensive investigation and
research undertaken by various organizations
to determine alternative methods of
improving the robustness of the backup power
supplies. Some of the proposed improvement
strategies are stated in [4], [5] and [17].
3. Research Objectives
The main aim of this research work is to study
and determine the micro-grid system of high
reliability which can be used to provide
backup power in the nuclear facilities.
The research work focuses on answering the
following key questions:
What types of energy sources, energy
storage and control systems are
suitable for the micro-grid of high
reliability?
Is the reliability and availability of the
micro-grid system with renewable
energy sources better than the backup
power systems which are currently
used at the nuclear facilities?
4. Research Methodology
The following methodology will be followed
to address the objective of the research:
A suitable area for the nuclear facility
will be earmarked and the climate data
will be gathered and analyzed for that
particular area.
Literature review will be carried out to
determine the layout of the high
reliability micro-grid system. The
layout of the micro-grid system will
include energy sources, energy storage
schemes and the micro-grid control
systems.
Analysis will be carried out to the
determine load requirements of safety
systems and capacity requirements of
the micro-grid system
The micro-grid system layout will be
designed and the system performance
will be evaluated. The micro-grid
performance verification will be
carried out through software
simulation package. Matlab/Simulink
or HOMER [18] applications can be
used to simulate the performance of
the micro-grid system.
The reliability and availability
analysis of the designed micro-grid
system will be carried out. The result
will be verified using Risk Spectrum
reliability engineering analysis tool.
4.1 Area Selection
It is indicated in the integrated resource plan
(IRP) plan that additional 9.6 GW of
electricity generation from nuclear power
plants will be introduced into the South
African electricity generation mix by 2030.
Environmental impact assessment at areas
suitable for the nuclear power plants was
conducted in 2006 and the three possible sites
were identified as Thyspunt, Bantamsklip,
and Duynefontein [19].
Duynefontein will be used in this study
mainly because, the existing Koeberg nuclear
power plant is located in this area and
meteorological data is consistently recorded
in the area.
4
The meteorological data in this area will be into electrical energy. The commonly used
acquired and analyzed in order to establish the materials for PV cells are crystalline silicon,
sizing and constraints of the renewable energy cadmium telluride, copper indium dieseline,
sources. The required basic data includes etc. The output efficiency of the PV panel is
average temperatures, solar irradiance levels, directly propositional to the light intensity and
average sunshine hours and average wind inversely proportional to the ambient
speeds. temptation. To determine the correct sizing of
the PV panels, the ambient temperature,
4.2 Micro-grid System Layout irradiance levels and sun hours will be
acquired and analyzed.
The main idea is to develop the high
reliability micro-grid system with renewable
energy sources for use as backup power in the
nuclear facilities. The system should supply
power to the AC and DC safety buses in
islanded mode during the loss of offsite power
event. Under normal conditions, the system
should export power to the grid. The system is
therefore required to operate reliably in grid-
connected and islanded modes. The renewable
energy sources under consideration in this
study are photovoltaic energy and wind
energy. The possibility of integrating wave
energy into the system will also be explored.
Another option which includes a combination
of renewable energy sources and diesel
generators will be analyzed.

The electricity generation from renewable

energy sources is intermittent in nature and
Figure 2: General illustration of the proposed
requires integration of the energy storage
system
system for improved reliability. The static
batteries (nickel cadmium, lithium ion, etc.)
Wind Energy
and flow batteries (vanadium redox, zinc
bromide, etc.) are considered as storage
For optimum generation of electricity, wind
schemes. Another option which will be
turbines must be installed at a higher altitude
considered is the combination of batteries and
and away from objects which can cause wind
hydrogen fuel cell storage medium. The
flow obstructions. A typical wind turbine
general illustration of the proposed system is
starts generating useful electricity at wind
shown in figure 2.
speeds above 5 m/s [21]. The Duynefontein
average wind speed recorded from Koeberg
Solar Energy
Meteorological station at 10m altitude is 4.9
m/s. However wind speeds as high as 38.8
South African solar irradiance levels range
m/s have been recorded from the area. To
between 4.5 kWh/m2 and 6.5kWh/m2 [20].
determine the correct sizing of the wind
These figures are considered to range among
turbines, the wind speed records will be
the highest levels of solar energy density in
acquired and analysed.
the world [21]. The photovoltaic (PV) panels
are used to directly convert the solar energy

5
Other Energy Sources Options
Studies conducted by [22] show that South
Africa has vast amounts of Wave Energy. The
differential air pressures formed between
Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean results in
strong winds and gusts moving along the
coast. The ocean waves with energies as high
as 45 kW/m have been recorded along the
coastal area in Cape Town. Several wave
energy systems with power ratings from 40
kW up to 7 MW have been installed and
connected to the grid in countries like
Whales, Hawaii, USA, etc. In South Africa a
Stellenbosch wave converter with maximum
generation capacity of 770 MW was
developed by the University of Stellenbosch
[23]. However, the system was never
implemented. At this state, the wave energy
technology is still considered to be immature.
The viability of using the wave energy will be
analyzed using the criteria provided in section
4.4.
Currently nuclear facilities utilize diesel
generators for back-up power. The main
advantage of diesel generator is that it
generates dispatchable electricity. However,
the diesel generator involves moving parts
which reduces its reliability. Furthermore, it
cannot supply electricity to the grid in standby
mode. The comprehensive economics,
availability and reliability analyses will be
carried to determine whether the integration
of diesel generators into the micro-gird
system will provide improved performance.
Options of whether the residual heat can be
used to generate the electrical energy through
the use of thermionic converters or steam
turbines will also be analyzed using the
criteria provided in section 4.4.
Energy Storage Schemes
There are several types of energy storage
batteries which have been successfully
integrated in various micro-grid projects. The
lithium ion phosphate battery has been used in
CERTS micro-grid to provide 2 MV, 4 MWh
of energy storage [8]. The Lithium ion
batteries developed by Saft Company have
been incorporated in Nice grid to provide
storage capacity of 1.5 MWh [24]. The
vanadium redox flow batteries developed by
CellCube Company have been installated in
New York Citys Metropolitan Transit
Authority system to provide 400 kWh of
energy storage [25]. The type of storage
battery suitable for the high reliability micro-
grid will be analyzed and determined. The use
of hydrogen fuel cell for storing electricity
has been discussed in [26].
The challenges associated with hydrogen
storage are also discussed. The option of
using hydrogen fuel cell will be analyzed
using the criteria provided in section 4.4.
4.3 Load Requirements
Typical loads connected to the safety bus in a
nuclear facility include reactor coolant pumps,
safety injection pumps, containment spay
pumps, etc. The capacity of the emergency
diesel generators will be used as reference
when establishing the power capacity
requirements of the micro-grid system. The
diesel generators of plants such as Koeberg
(South Africa) and Kalpakkam (India) are
rated at approximately 5 MW, therefore a
micro-grid system with maximum capacity of
5 MW is considered in the study.
4.4 Micro-gird System Performance
Analysis
The performance of the micro-grid system is
depended on the energy sources, the energy
storage mediums and the micro-grid control
systems. The various energy sources have
been mention in section 4.2 and a critical
decision on which energy sources to use will
be undertaken in order to establish the micro-
grid system with optimized performance. The
performance of the micro-grid system will be
analyzed in terms of reliability, availability
and cost. The renewable energy sources will
be given priority over fossil-fuel based
sources.
6
Table 1 will be used to establish the
optimized capacities of the energy sources for
the micro-grid system.
Table 1: Selection Criteria for Energy Sources
of the Micro-grid System
Energy Source Capacity Technology Environment
Rating Maturity al
Photovoltaic
Sustainability
Wind
Wave
Steam
Generator
Thermionic
Generator
Diesel
Generator
The capacity rating, technology maturity and
capital cost selection criteria will be used for
the selection of the suitable energy storage
medium for the micro-grid system.
Matlab/Simulink and Hybrid Optimization
Model for Multiple Energy Resources
(HOMER) software applications can be used
to perform optimization and sensitivity
analysis of the micro-grid system.
The Matlab/Simulink should be interfaced
with RegenSim and SimPowerSystems
libraries in order to model energy sources and
energy storage mediums. The HOMER
application contains optimization and
sensitivity analysis algorithms which can be
used to evaluate various system
configurations and establish system energy
balance for each time step of the year.
5. Project Budget
All of the required hardware equipment for
the project is available. Most of the technical
papers, books and journals are available
through the university library. Additional
technical papers, standards and journals that
are not available at the library will have to be
purchased. The climate data is also available
on order from the South African Weather
Service. Software such as HOMER may be
used for results verification. The approximate
6 months licensing cost of HOMER software
is R3, 000. Therefore an estimated budget of
R5, 000 is requested.
6. Conclusion
The preliminary investigation shows that the
micro-grid system with renewable energy
sources can be used to supply reliable power
to the nuclear facilities. Detailed study will be
carried out to address the research objectives
Energy Capita
Resource l Cost and to determine an optimized micro-grid
Availability
solution for nuclear facilities.
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