Operator
Training for grids with distributed generation / high wind power generation
Within the Dispower Project DUtrain developes in cooperation with the University Duisburg Essen, Germany, an interactive Operator Training facility for power systems with
dispersed generation by
complementing
an existing training simulator by various models
of distributed generation sources as well as the
appertaining control structures and
procurement
of appropriate training programs
for both smaller dispersed generation based systems as well as large
transmission systems under the influence of strong wind generation.
Download this text as the official Dispower Flyer: Operator training for grids with distributed generation [PDF]
Dispersed
generation, from the viewpoint of electric
power system operation,
is connected with occurrences such as
Unpredictable
infeed power (especially in the case of regenerative sources)
Unusual
power flows
Problematic
voltage profiles
Unfamiliar
or even incorrect protection behaviour in the case of failures.
While
these effects are inevitably dominating the operation of small and
detached power systems, with respect to the installation of very
large wind farms they also get increasing significance for large
interconnected transmission systems.
Training
of the operator personnel in the control centres to master these
phenomena is an appropriate measure. A high fidelity power system
operator training simulator can
procure a realistic platform to perform such training in systematic
manner, provided that it truly models the complete power system under
regard, including protection and control systems as well as the
interfaces with external entities such as power plants (conventional
and/or dispersed ones) and neighbouring systems.
Technical
Details
Functionality
of operator training simulator
An
operator training simulator (OTS) briefly described consists of three
principal components.
The
SCADA system comprises the
operational user interfaces and the process data handling. The
telemetric line interface is used for the connection of, and the data
exchange with, the models for the technical
equipment such as switching and protection devices,
automatic tap changers, generation units, load performance, etc. The
power system calculation engine
simulates the physical performance of the entire power system
represented by the actual topology retrieved from the SCADA system
and the physical parameters of its equipment. The calculation results
are sent back to the SCADA system as measurement values.
Additional
features of the OTS (DUtrain PSH) used here are:
Representation
of power system control hierarchical organisation comprising several
control centres in parallel.
Splitting
of grid control and generation control, each represented in
specifically customized control centres.
Capability
of technical equipment models and power system calculation engine
for normal and abnormal operational conditions up to
system restoration after full blackouts.
Powerful
scenario management.
In
order to cope with today’s challenges of
system operation caused by dispersed generation, new
technical DG models for the OTS as well as new
control and user interfaces for the SCADA system are being
developed and implemented.
Dispersed
generation modelsThe
realised concept of modelling distributed generation sources such as
wind turbines and parks, micro gas turbines, fuel cells, Diesel
generators, photovoltaic and storage systems provides individual
dispersed generation block modules,
consisting of primary sources, electrical machines and converters
where applicable (see table). From these block modules the individual
configurations can be composed; in the case of aggregation of
identical installations (e.g., wind parks) the models can be set up
in concentrated form, then also considering influencing effects such
as mutual shadowing in the case of wind generation. For wind speed
and solar irradiation the random weather conditions are simulated,
too. Storage systems are modelled
regarding their storage capacity, efficiency, time dependent loss
factor and the maximum charging / discharging power.
All
DG models are developed using the Matlab/Simulink
environment (offering a very detailed time resolution and versatile
use) converted into C code and implemented into the OTS using
clear interfaces for data exchange.
Development
and performance of training programs
Despite
any changes due to dispersed generation, operators in the grid
control centres and power production centres have to run the power
system in appropriate manner to guarantee reliable supply of the
customers with electrical energy. Therefore specific theoretical
knowledge as well as practical experience of controlling the whole
process and the coordination and communication of the involved
entities are required.
Specifically
designed training programs regarding dispersed generation
contain:
Background
of dispersed generation modules, their physical performance and
control possibilities.
Influence
of dispersed generation on today’s power system control procedures
(e.g. power reserve management).
Mutual
influence of dispersed generation and overall system’s operational
performance.
The
practical experience can be
gathered in the frame of training simulator sessions.
For
the training sessions the simulator is updated with a replica of the
selected power system under regard. Scenarios
derived from day-to-day operation are prepared as dedicated examples
to demonstrate the system control requirements (e.g., voltage
profile, power exchange, unpredicted power flows).
These
training programs give operators hands on experience and insight in
controlling power systems with dispersed generation. At the same time
the cooperation of, and the communication between, all involved
entities is trained. Furthermore the simulator set-up can be used for
analysis and feasibility studies of control strategies in the power
system environment.
Contact for further information:
carsten.roggatz@dutrain.de matics@uni-duisburg.de
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