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ENERGIX-Stort program energi

Power system protection and control in digital substations

Alternative title: Vern- og kontrollanlegg i digitale kraftstasjoner

Awarded: NOK 14.6 mill.

Project Number:

295034

Project Period:

2019 - 2024

Funding received from:

Subject Fields:

Partner countries:

Substations are critical nodes in the power system and consist of lines, transformers, generators, compensation equipment, switchgear, instrument transformers. In a substation, the power system is controlled and protected. The term digital substation describes a technology where classical copper wiring between instrument transformers, switchgear, protective relays and control equipment is replaced by a process bus Ethernet cable. The main advantages are smaller footprint (reduced wiring, and buildings), easier expansions (plug&play), simpler documentation and engineering, possible faster future upgrade, integration of new sensor technologies, wide-area communication among others. During the first two years the project has: * Developed models of inverter interfaced power production (wind parks) for simulations of all kinds of fault in the connected power grid. Analyzed the challenges related protection of power lines (distance protection) next to such production sites (weak infeed), both in terms of exploring the problems and approach a solution. * Analyzed 5G communication solutions for inter-substation communication. Performed simulations (NS-3) of network traffic to study reliability. * Explored issues related to introduction of digital substation where analog and digital signals from instrument transformers and merging units meet in differential transformer protection. Analyzed and used non-conventional transducers (Rogowski-coils and optical current transformers) to obtain increased accuracy. * Investigated challenges and methods in isolated and resonance grounded systems where fault detection and location is difficult. Transient based detection principles are studied and steady-state methods for high ohmic faults are developed. The aim is to bring down the fault time, in particular in regional systems where the fault handling is manual with fault times up to two hours. * Started a work on testing of digital substations for faster and safer upgrade. * Established a fully digital, multi-vendor relay protection laboratory development with remote access. Developed tools to record simulation results in appropriate format (comtrade) and explored data streams on process bus. Developed online continuing education course related to protection and supervision of distribution systems.

Substations are critical nodes in the power system and consist of lines, transformers, generators, compensation equipment, switchgear, instrument transformers. In a substation, the power system is controlled and protected. The term digital substation describes a technology where classical copper wiring between instrument transformers, switchgear, protective relays and control equipment is replaced by a process bus Ethernet cable. The main advantages are smaller footprint (reduced wiring, and buildings), easier expansions (plug&play), simpler documentation and engineering, possible faster future upgrade among others. The challenges are related to the fact that this is new, unproven technology with new competence needs. Test pilots of digital substations are now being installed world-wide. Modern intelligent electrical devices (IED) like protective relays can now communicate on process and station buses in a digital substation environment. Information from all instrument transformers and protective relays is available to all connected devices. This opens up new possibilities in central settings and fault record utilization for optimal performance, selectivity, fault location and adaptations. However, it also poses a threat to security and reliability, with new devices exposed to substation stress. What is sure is that this digital shift will require new knowledge and competence in both communication and power system behavior. This application meets the ENERGIX program plan on integration of renewables, security of supply in light of digitalization, new knowledge and solution, and strengthening of national competence and R&D institutions. Furthermore the ENERGIX call on topic 2; integration of solar and wind as well as topic 3; energy systems and technologies. More specifically, it addresses the Energi21 2050 challenges on digitalization, smartgrid technologies, integration of (distributed) wind and solar, cyber security, automation, monitoring and control.

Publications from Cristin

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Funding scheme:

ENERGIX-Stort program energi