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Michael joined Cork Institute of Technology in January 2000 as a Lecturer. Michael currently lectures to full-time students on engineering degree programmes. Michael has supervised numerous degree and postgraduate students in power system operation and stability, power system protection, fault-finding and mitigation and published widely at various conferences and forums. Before this, Michael trained and worked with the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) for 11 years in Transmission & Distribution.
When a distance relay protects a transmission line located on a dual circuit tower, a coupling effect will occur between the two circuits. Transposition of the circuits can reduce the mutual impedances, but this does not cater to the zero-sequence mutual coupling impedance during earth faults. As a result, the impedance measured by a distance relay under phase-to-earth fault conditions in these circumstances will not represent the correct impedance to the fault point unless these effects are taken into account. On multi-circuit lines, primarily if they operate in parallel, a zero-sequence mutual coupling should be considered when calculating settings for distance protection function. A 220 kV parallel line sharing the same tower was analysed using DigSilent Power Factory in the simulations. Phase-to-earth faults in different configurations were analysed on this system, and the reach of the protection relay was then estimated for operation. The results confirm how a protection relay can overreach and underreach in a distance protection scheme due to the influence of mutual coupling.
Michael O Donovan; Noel Barry; Joe Connell; Eoin Cowhey. Mutual Coupling Compensation Techniques Used for Distance Protection of Parallel Lines. Energies 2021, 14, 1982 .
AMA StyleMichael O Donovan, Noel Barry, Joe Connell, Eoin Cowhey. Mutual Coupling Compensation Techniques Used for Distance Protection of Parallel Lines. Energies. 2021; 14 (7):1982.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael O Donovan; Noel Barry; Joe Connell; Eoin Cowhey. 2021. "Mutual Coupling Compensation Techniques Used for Distance Protection of Parallel Lines." Energies 14, no. 7: 1982.
Power swings and loss of synchronism are complex events which occur during power system faults, line switching, generator disconnection, and the loss or application of large loads. As generators have different frequencies for a duration following the event, this results in power swings which cause voltages and currents in different parts of the network to swing in amplitude and phase angle. Power swing blocking (PSB) is a vital security feature in distance protection relays for preventing unnecessary tripping during temporary power system oscillatory events. A case study is taken as an example, which following a system disturbance on the Irish transmission system, there was a subsequent power swing event on a part of a 110 kV network. DigSilent PowerFactory was used to perform dynamic time-domain simulations of the event. A COMTRADE file is generated from simulations and can be "played back" to a relay to verify how the relay responds to various stable and unstable power swing. The paper also outlines a utility’s experience in analysing PSB algorithms on distance protective relays in use on a transmission system. Finally, an overview of the methods used in developing a systematic and practical approach to testing and mitigating the effects of the disturbance on the network is investigated.
Michael O'Donovan; Eoin Cowhey; Noel Barry; Joe Connell. Assessment of Power Swing Blocking Functions. 2020 55th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) 2020, 1 -6.
AMA StyleMichael O'Donovan, Eoin Cowhey, Noel Barry, Joe Connell. Assessment of Power Swing Blocking Functions. 2020 55th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC). 2020; ():1-6.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael O'Donovan; Eoin Cowhey; Noel Barry; Joe Connell. 2020. "Assessment of Power Swing Blocking Functions." 2020 55th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) , no. : 1-6.
Mutual coupling of multi-circuit lines affects distance relay measurements during earth faults which include zero sequence currents. The difficulty stems from the fact that the lines are mutually coupled in their zero-sequence circuits. This effect can cause distance protection on healthy circuits to mal-operate under fault conditions when mutual coupling was not considered and when calculating impedance protection settings. The multi-circuit lines need not be of the same voltage levels to experience mutual coupling, and some coupling exists even for lines that are not on the same tower. This paper studies the effects of mutual coupling on parallel transmission lines and how different system configurations affect the protection relay settings. Finally, the paper describes using simulations the effects off mutual coupling compensation to evaluate the performance of the protection system.
Michael O'Donovan; Eoin Cowhey; Noel Barry; Joe Connell. The Effects of Mutual Coupling Compensation on Distance Protection of Parallel Lines. 2020 55th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) 2020, 1 -6.
AMA StyleMichael O'Donovan, Eoin Cowhey, Noel Barry, Joe Connell. The Effects of Mutual Coupling Compensation on Distance Protection of Parallel Lines. 2020 55th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC). 2020; ():1-6.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael O'Donovan; Eoin Cowhey; Noel Barry; Joe Connell. 2020. "The Effects of Mutual Coupling Compensation on Distance Protection of Parallel Lines." 2020 55th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) , no. : 1-6.
The Irish distribution network utilizes 10kV, 20kV and 38kV feeders. The 38kV System is arc-suppressed (resonance-earthed) method which allows continuity of supply to customers during single-phase earth faults. This means that the star points of the transformers arc connected with Petersen coils to the station ground for compensation of the capacitive residual current. As the 38kV network is constantly evolving, there is a commercial demand for a more robust and reliable system. A pilot project has commenced to investigate the feasibility and suitability of introducing auto tuning Petersen coils to the Irish 38kV network. The intended outcome of the pilot project is to have the connected Petersen coil adjusted automatically in line with changing system parameters. Alternative Transients Program (ATP) was used to model and simulate the 38kV pilot network. Experimental simulated test results for various configurations are included and these are compared with similar field results.
Michael O’Donovan; Eoin Cowhey; Noel Barry. Implementation of Intelligent Tuning System for Petersen Coils on the Irish Distribution Network. 2018 53rd International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) 2018, 1 -6.
AMA StyleMichael O’Donovan, Eoin Cowhey, Noel Barry. Implementation of Intelligent Tuning System for Petersen Coils on the Irish Distribution Network. 2018 53rd International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC). 2018; ():1-6.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael O’Donovan; Eoin Cowhey; Noel Barry. 2018. "Implementation of Intelligent Tuning System for Petersen Coils on the Irish Distribution Network." 2018 53rd International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) , no. : 1-6.
Due to the continuous increases of the tonnage and consequently of the power required on board, low voltage systems are being replaced by High Voltage (HV) distribution systems. The advantages are a partial reduction in fault currents values and cable weights, with consequential benefit for overall weight and dimensions. The 2010 Manila Amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code bring in the requirement for engineers to undergo education and training in HV systems, at both the operational and management levels. This paper aims to investigate the type of HV equipment and systems encountered aboard a ship and also the operational training required to undertake the safe operation, management and maintenance of such equipment. The need for power simulation software is pointed out with special reference to shipboard operations and training.
Michael O'Donovan; Noel Barry. Shipboard high voltage operations and management. 2013 48th International Universities' Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) 2013, 1 -5.
AMA StyleMichael O'Donovan, Noel Barry. Shipboard high voltage operations and management. 2013 48th International Universities' Power Engineering Conference (UPEC). 2013; ():1-5.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael O'Donovan; Noel Barry. 2013. "Shipboard high voltage operations and management." 2013 48th International Universities' Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) , no. : 1-5.