First and Final Draft:
Experiment 1
Puerto Rico Electrical Power Grid
ENGL 21007
Writing for Engineering
Professor Weyn
By: Juliene Rios
Experiment Contracted on: April 16, 2023
Report Submitted on: May 1, 2023
Objectives
This report aims to:
- Provide a systematic plan for creating a fully developed electrical power grid in Puerto Rico.
- Make engineers familiar with the components needed to develop the grid.
- Encourage other engineers with a similar plan to follow the procedure.
Background Theory
Creating a new electrical power grid requires a range of equipment, including power generation facilities, transmission lines, substations, distribution transformers, and other electrical components. The equipment needed for the new electrical power grid in Puerto Rico will depend on various factors, including the types of power generation sources being used, the terrain of the island, and the population density of different regions.
This experiment will be tested within two cities in Puerto Rico to test the grid’s durability. The cities that will be included in this testing will be Arecibo and San Sebastian in the western region of the island.
Equipment and Components Used
- Transformer (Brand: JWBC, Model: LP 444-7, Serial Number: 33/51 CCV9G2)
- FACTS Device (Brand: TTQ, Model: XBN 22, Serial Number: 11/64 UYDIQ)
- HVDC CONVERTER (Brand: AA, Model: EUJX 3, Serial Number: 00/78 ISNSD)
- Cable and Conductor (Brand: QQW, Model: DJR 99-8, Serial Number: 193 WIKMGF)
- Protection Device (Brand: VVJ, Model: IRE 02-43, Serial Number: 19/4 JTIAOY)
- Substation Equipment (Brand: SSR, Model: RR 85-94, Serial Number: 77/21 WNJIKO)
Experimental Method And Procedure
Power Generation Facilities:
The power generation facilities are the backbone of the electrical power grid. In Puerto Rico, there have been efforts to transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric dams are examples of the equipment needed to generate electricity from these renewable energy sources.
Transmission Lines:
Transmission lines are high-voltage lines that transport electricity from the power generation facilities to the substations. In Puerto Rico, new transmission lines will need to be installed to connect renewable energy sources to the existing power grid. The type of transmission lines used will depend on the terrain of the island and the distance between the power generation facilities and the substations.
Substations:
Substations are where the high-voltage electricity is stepped down to a lower voltage for distribution to homes and businesses. There will be a need for new substations to connect the new transmission lines to the existing distribution network. Substations require various equipment, including transformers, circuit breakers, and protective relays.
Distribution Transformers:
Distribution transformers are used to further step down the voltage of the electricity to a level that is safe for use in homes and businesses. There will be a need for new distribution transformers to connect the new substations to the existing distribution network.
Other Electrical Components:
Other electrical components, such as switches, fuses, and meters, will also be needed to create a new electrical power grid in Puerto Rico. These components are essential for the safe and efficient distribution of electricity.
Data of Voltage and Resistivity in the Pilot Testing of Arecibo and San Sebastian:
Part 1:
Voltage V: V = E/Q or V = w/QE = Energy, W = Work Done Unit: Volts (V)
| E (Energy) | Q (Charge) | V (Volts) |
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 3.00 | 0.66 | 4.55 |
| 6.00 | 1.83 | 3.28 |
| 9.00 | 2.21 | 4.07 |
| 12.00 | 3.94 | 3.05 |
| 15.00 | 4.33 | 3.46 |
Part 2:
Resistance R: R = pl/Ap = Resistivity, l = length, A= Area or, P = v/l
Unit: Ohm (Ωm)
| P (Power) (X) | l (length) (Y1) | A (Area) (Y2) | R (Resistivity) |
| 2.00 | 8.62 | 21.77 | 0.4 |
| 4.00 | 9.31 | 24.90 | 0.37 |
| 6.00 | 10.88 | 29.04 | 0.37 |
| 8.00 | 13.74 | 37.15 | 0.37 |
| 10.00 | 15.46 | 44.77 | 0.35 |
| 12.00 | 19.12 | 52.01 | 0.37 |
| 14.00 | 23.95 | 59.64 | 0.4 |
| 16.00 | 31.68 | 70.38 | 0.45 |
Graphs
Data Discussion:
The electric potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit is measured in volts, commonly known as voltage. It is a crucial factor in calculating how much energy is needed to power an electrical system or device and is measured in volts (V).
The ability of a material to resist the flow of electricity is measured by its resistance It is a crucial component in measuring the effectiveness of an electrical system and is normally measured in ohm-meters (Ωm).
The US Energy Information Administration estimates that each family in Puerto Rico uses about 10,700 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power annually. Based on this number and the assumption that Puerto Rico has 3.2 million residents, the island’s total yearly power usage would be close to 34.24 billion kWh.
Assuming an average capacity factor of about 80% for renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, Puerto Rico’s power grid would need to have a capacity of at least 4 gigawatts (GW) of generation to meet this level of electricity demand. To supply backup power and ensure grid stability during times of low generation, energy storage solutions, such as batteries, would need to be added to this capacity.
The size of the power grid in Puerto Rico would require a network of transmission and distribution lines connecting power plants to substations and end-users, as well as coverage of the entire island, encompassing both urban and rural areas. This would necessitate a substantial infrastructure investment, including the building of new power plants and transmission lines as well as the upgrading of already existing ones.
Error Analysis
% error between calculated and measured V when Energy is at 15.00 W:
% error = calculated-measured/calculated x 100%
4.33-3.46/4.33 x 100%
0.2 x 100% = 0.2 = 20%
Recommendations and Conclusions
Recommendations:
- Upgrade existing infrastructure: It’s critical to upgrade existing infrastructure, including transmission lines, substations, and distribution transformers, in order to increase the effectiveness and dependability of the power grid. In addition to enhancing the quality of the power supply, this would help to lower the likelihood of power outages.
- Improved coordination between stakeholders, including governmental organizations, utility companies, and other pertinent organizations, is necessary to ensure efficient management and maintenance of the power grid.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, the construction of a hypothetical electrical power grid in Puerto Rico would offer a number of advantages, including higher safety, improved reliability, and better energy efficiency as recognized in pilot testing in Arecibo and San Sebastian. However, it is crucial to make sure that the power grid is built with the correct levels of voltage and resistivity and that a sizable amount of money is invested in renewable energy sources. Additionally, there should be upgrades to the current infrastructure and better coordination between stakeholders to guarantee the long-term viability of the power grid. The creation of a dependable and sustainable electrical power infrastructure in Puerto Rico would be made possible by putting these proposals into practice.
