4.4.

EVALUATING AND ASSESSING A NECESSARY GENERATION CHANGE IN NETWORK CONTROL SYSTEMS

T. Aundrup, J. Lantermann, M. Griining, Dr. N. Aschower VEW Energie AG, VEW Energie AG, Dortmunder Energie und Wasserversorgung GmbH, ABB AG Federal Republic of Germany to be stored and processed, have led to a need for higher computing capacities. There are two options Centralized power system management involves the for meeting this new requirement: replacing the systems currently in use or control and supervision of both the transmission and upgrading the existing systems. distribution systems. These tasks are performed using specialized control systems for each of the two subsystems. The energy supplied by the power Both approaches would result in systems which plants is fed into the system at the transmission would be more powerful and provide more level, which is also used for regional and open-system capabilities, while at the same time long-distance power transmission. From the requiring less maintenance. As an additional viewpoint of overall power system management, the requirement, an upgrading project would have to be system used to control the transmission network canied out without interrupting the company's operations. should be capable of - monitoring the short-circuit power in the individual An energy management system essentially consists network nodes, - optimizing the load flow at the various network of three types of subsystems, i.e. the substation control systems, the telecontrol system, and the levels, - measuring and recording the flow of power central computer system. The introduction of digital technology to the fields of substation and remote supplied to other utilities, etc. Controlling the distribution level, which typically uses control was an important innovation which has open networks with a ring structure, requires a resulted in system capabilities similar to those of the computer systems used in network control. Network control system designed to - handle a large number of switching operations and control computers, on the other hand, have not seen provide the safety functions required for the advances on this scale as compared to the systems available in the 1980s. various operations. In addition, both control systems also have to When evaluating an upgrading option for an existing effectively support the operating staff in dealing with energy management system or the replacement of a any disturbances or abnormal conditions occurring in subsystem, the effects on the entire system have to be analyzed, with all relevant aspects taken into the networks concemed. account. A comprehensive analysis of the overall The various considerations underlying the decision management system is the only way to reliably as to whether and how an existing energy evaluate the long-term economics of a planned management system should be adapted to investment in a specific part of the system. modemday requirements will be discussed in the following, using as examples the systems operated Both German utility companies mentioned above by two German utilities, Dortmunder Energie und have opted to upgrade their existing network control Wasserversorgung GmbH and VEW Energie AG's computer systems. This decision was based on the Bezirksdirektion Munster. The network control following aspects: systems used by these two companies to support - No interruption of operations required Reduced maintenance costs their operations management have been in place Continued use of existing data files since 1985. Their main duties include the No need to reorganize operations supervision of the medium-voltage systems, the 110/30/1O-kV substations and a number of 10-kV Further restructuring measures in the telecontrol and substation control systems are currently in planning key substations. or already being implemented. In both companies, the network control systems are based on a conventional computer system which 2. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION receives switch position, alarm and fault messages from the substations via a telecontrol networks. The power system operated by VEW Energie AG is Other features subsequently added to the systems, divided into a transmission system (380 kV, 220 kV, such as the remote control functions introduced in 110 kV) and a distribution system (30 kV, 10 kV, 0.4 1992, as well as the ever-increasing volume of data kV). The 1IO/iO-kV and 110/30-kV transformers
1. SUMMARY

CIRED 97,2-5 June 1997, Conference Publication No. 438,O IEE, 1997

4.4.2
r

Year 1995

Dortmunder VEW Energie Energie und BD Munster Wasser 280 440 6.542 1.448

Area (km2) Maximum Load (MW) Total length of cabels & overhead lines (km)
R e m s signaling and remde m m 1

0 Remde sipnallinp

Subsyrtm montasd

Fla. 1 Subsystems monltoredlcontrolled by an energy managemem system

Transformer substations
10 kV-Main distribution substations

751

form part of the distribution system. Both Dortmunder Energie und Wasserversorgung GmbH and VEW Energie's Bezirksdirektion Munster draw part of the power they need from the transmission system (Fig. 1). While Dortmunder Energie und Wasserversorgung GmbH serves a large urban area, the power supply system operated by VEW Energie's Bezirksdirektion Munster covers a number of medium-sized cities (with populations below 60.000) as well as extensive rural areas which are supplied via distribution centres located in the cities. In order to ensure reliable operation of their supply networks and a high-quality power supply to the areas served, both utilities are using an information system to support the management of their medium-voltage systems. These management tasks are performed in the control centres which are manned around the clock with at least one dispatcher. Table 1 lists the characteristic figures concerning the networks operated by the two companies and the number of messages received. 95 percent of all circuit-breakers can send messages to the control systems. In the longer term, it is planned to implement telecontrol functions for the circuit-breakers. Position indications are not available for the majority of disconnectors in the 1O-kV systems. Their switching statuses, therefore, have to be manually corrected. While the number of operational switching operations has been almost constant over the past few years, there has been a slight decline in switching operations needed for the purpose of clearing faults in the system, which has resulted from the increasing number of interconnections established between network elements. Proper maintenance of the control system and its displays is another important factor in ensuring reliable operation of a power supply system, but also represents a cost factor which should not be neglected.

381

331

Secondary substations Remote-signalled Switches Transient messages Measured values Remoteantrolled

obiects

4.500 3.500 1.ooo 691

4.000 3.400 2.060

582

manually corrected Switches Status messages Displays Aktive Total

10.500 9.000
482 1.165 700

20.426 7.325 572 1.942

2.800

No. of switching operations for fault clearing per year No. of operational switching operations per year Display modifications per year

30.600

90.000

800

900

Table 1: Selected figures for the year 1995

3. INFORMATION SYSTEM
Over the past ten years, the information functions needed for efficient energy management have been consistently implemented by means of a comprehensive information system (including substation, telecontrol and central network control equipment) supplied from a single source. The computer system used for network control includes the following features: - Dual-computer configuration with integrated front-end processors - Event processing, including various options for grouping and collective treatment of certain types

4.4.3
of events, allowing faults to be dealt with fast and efficiently Processing and storage of measured values Updating of switching states Generation of daily logs and alarm lists The interface between the network control computers and the dispatcher makes use of a function keyboard specifically tailored for network control applications. An additional mimic board with LEDs indicating the various switching states, which are continually updated, provides an overview of the entire network. An emergency signalling function allows central supervision of the substations to be continued even in the event that the network control computer should fail. Any disturbance occumng in the substations will be indicated by significant LEDs assigned to each station for this purpose.

Backup conbol Centre

__

--

Mimic board .

Front-end iouter A Mainframe computer C Display processor C

D D

The introduction of additional functionalities such as the telecontrol functions, for example, has resulted in longer response times in the system, which in some cases have increased to more than a minute. Therefore, operating the system currently in use is time-consuming and requires a relatively large staff. As a first step towards enhancing the system's performance, the overall network control system was analyzed and evaluated. The following deficiencies and required improvements were identified: Network control computer Increasing maintenance costs due to ageing hardware - lnsatisfactory performance - Optimization of the man-machine interface (MMI) - Enhancing network representation by using full-graphics displays and zoom functions Facilitatingdisplay maintenance - Load management analyses currently not possible - No intemetworkingcapability - No open-system capabilities provided in computer network - Enhancing system reliabdity

. .._ .. ..- ... .-

maintenance 2 1 1

%.......... .....
Fig. 2: Structure of a network control system

When evaluating different solutions to these problems, the cost-benefit ratio and the payback period for the investment required must be taken into consideration. For the purpose of evaluating the different options, it is expedient to look at each one of the above-mentionedsubsystems separately.
4. RESULTS

4.1 Basic considerations

Transmission network - Increasing number of disturbances in telecontrol system due to ageing equipment (with concomittant staff requirements) - Transmission capacity of the telecontrol network not sufficient for serving digital substation control . systems

Substation equipment Hardware needed for remote control functions is very expensive and produced only on special order - Introduction of digital technology in substation control (larger data volume)

Today's market for information systems and developments in the field of network control show a clear trend towards modularity. As part of this process, the main components making up an energy management system, i.e. the substation control equipment, the information transmission systems, the systems used for display maintenance and the central computers, are becoming more and more independent from one another. An ever-higher degree of modularity is also found within the individual subsystems. To date, the interfaces between the individual components have not been standardized. However, a growing number of component vendors are offering products that can also be operated with transmission protocols used by their competitors. As a result, an increasing number o f information system components which in the past were strongly dependent on one another can be treated as independent units. In the long term, it will be possible to freely combine units from

4.4.4

different sources. Ideally, this process will eventually result in the widespread use of uniform standards and vendor-independent components. 4.2 Network control computer After identifying the desired impovements to be made in the system, a decision has to be taken as to whether these improvements are best achieved by replacing the complete system or by taking appropriate upgrading measures. One point in favour of complete replacement is the fact that with this approach, basically all of the problems listed above, with the exception of those related to the MMI, could be resolved at once. The main drawback of this solution is the high investment cost for an expected service life of about 10 years. Also, there is no guarantee that the existing display and system data could simply be transferred to and used in the new system. It is estimated that entering all required data from scratch would take several years. After consulting with the supplier of the existing network control system, it was determined that similar improvements can be achieved in the information system by replacing only the mainframe computer and the display processor. This approach also allows the existing system data and displays to be reused in the upgraded system. Considering these two factors, the cost of the upgrading solution would amount to only 50 percent of the outlay for replacing the complete system. The upgraded system has an estimated service life of about 10 years. On the basis of these considerations, both Dortmunder Energie und Wasserversorgung and VEW Energie's Bezirksdirektion Munster opted for a partial replacement of their network computers in two steps (Fig. 2). In the first step, the mainframe computer is to be replaced by a more powerful unit, which will result in lower maintenance costs and afford the advantages associated with the use of a standard system. After the new computer has been installed, the display processing system will be replaced as well. The decision to upgrade the existing system rather than order a complete new computer system for network control was mainly based on the following reasons:

Displays and texts generated with the existing system can be reused The step-by-step approach allows the staff servicing the network computer system to get acquainted with the new system in a gradual manner

Clearly, the most important advantage of the upgrading option is the fact that it allows advanced technology to be integrated into the computer system while retaining its existing functions. The various processors are interlinked through a local area network (Ethernet). The equipment used consists of standard hardware components which can easily be replaced by similar units. Apart from improved system performance, with response times below 1 second, full-graphics display of texts and symbols are made possible by the new hardware. Economically speaking, the biggest savings can be achieved in display maintenance, which thanks to the new software functions provided in the upgraded system is made significantly more efficient, allowing the number of workstations used for this purpose in VEWs Bezirksdirektion Munster, for example, to be reduced from three to two. Furthermore, the high availability level guaranteed by the dual-computer system eliminates the need for a stand-by servicing crew. The new hardware also allows other computer systems to be connected. This connection will be made after it has been ascertained that operations from outside the power system control centre can in no way affect the network control system.
4.3 Informationtransmission system

- Better overall economy is achieved with the

upgrading approach The functionality offered by the upgraded system is almost the same as with a new system The operating staff does not have to be retrained to use a new system The established and well-proven ergonomic organization of the working environment does not Both companies are planning to use the digital have to be changed telecommunications network in order to reduce the

The information transmission system used today is adequate for handling the data volume presently transferred from the individual substations to the control centre, If this data volume increases, however, through the introduction of digital substation control systems, for example, it will no longer be possible to transmit all of the data available. One way of coping with this problem is to form common signals in the various substations. However, more detailed information will not be available to the dispatcher. An inquiry into telecommunications activities throughout Europe has shown that data links offering the required performance and redundancy already exist. The operation of the telecommunications networks is supervised by special network control centres which will inform the power system centres operated by Dortmunder Energie und Wasserversorgung and VEW Energie's Bezirksdirektion Munster of any failures occurring in a section of the telecommunications network.

4.4.5

receiving stations. The power system could then be operated in two rather than three shifts. A stand-by crew on night duty could receive relevant information via a data line, allowing costs to be 4.4 Substation control equipment reduced even further. More importantly, the physical Since the telecontrol equipment has been in service and psychological strain currently placed on the for about 1 0 years, there is an increasing need for operating staff by their three-shift work will be repairs in the system. While the repairs are covered eased, thus humanizing their working conditions by a service agreement, the production of additional without compromising system security. modules such as remote control modules, for example, involves an ever greater outlay. When 6. REFERENCES trying to determine the expediture associated with the implementation of additional remote control 1. VDEW-Arbeitskreis Controlling, "Entwicklung functions, future cost increases must be taken into eines Strategiekonzeptes am Beispiel eines account. This can only be done on the basis of an Energieversorgungsuntemehmens" (A Strategy estimated bill of materials. Concept for Power Utilities Developed on the Basis of an Example) Elektrizitatswirtschaft, 19, In substation control systems, too, the trend towards 1996. substituting digital systems for the existing conventional equipment is gaining impetus. The 2. Seufert H., 1996, "Von der Ruckmeldetafel zur control systems installed in the individual modemen leittechnischen Informationsanlage" substations make use of a computer (station control (From Indicator Boards to Advanced Information unit) which controls the circuit-breakers and handles Systems Used in Modem-Day Control System the interlocking functions between the switchbays. Applications), Symposium Betriebsfuhrung und The same computer also provides the interface Netzleitsysteme, Consulectra Hamburg. linking the station to the information transmission network. The introduction of digital technology is 3. Brinkmann H., Lantermann J., Schwermer W., envisaged in the context of large-scale rehabilitation Wennemer A. "Erfahrungen mit projects and in new stations built in the future. Betriebsfuhrungssystemen fur die Verteilungsnetze unter besonderer 5. CONCLUSIONS Beriicksichtigung der Femsteuerung und des Einsatzes kunstlicher Intelligenzen" (Experience Gained with Control Systems for Distribution As a result of the rapidly advancing computer and Networks, With Special Consideration Given to communicationstechnologies, a major technological Remote Control and the Use of Artificial shift is expected to take place within the next 5 to 10 Intelligence), 12th lntemational Conference on years. Among other benefits, it will then be possible Electricity Distribution CIRED 1993. for one and the same digital network to be used for voice communication, data exchange and office communications. As a result, the cost of operating a power systems will be reduced considerably. Standardized interfaces and protocols will allow the computer system to be connected to the data network. Companies will increasingly aim at centralizing all data acquisition and maintenance work so as to eventually be able to eliminate redundant data maintenance activities previously performed on different computers.
I

failure frequency experienced in the past due to hardware malfunctions in the telecontrol system.

The introduction of open-system capabilities in the mainframe computer system, as a first step in the upgrading process, would allow the power system to be monitored from remote locations. Malfunction and switching-state information would be transmitted in the form text messages. In a second step, graphical representation of the power system's operating status and even functions allowing network elements to be controlled in the graphics mode could be implemented. This would require a high-capacity data network and appropriate means of ensuring clear identification of transmitting and
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