Professional Documents
Culture Documents
and Challenges
Stephanie Hay, Anna Ferguson
TNEI Services
Stephanie.hay@tnei.co.uk
Paper 15 of 15, Part 3: IET Special Interest Publication for the Council for Science and Technology on
Modelling Requirements of the GB Power System Resilience during the transition to Low Carbon Energy
www.theiet.org/pnjv
About this report
The Institution of Engineering and Technology was commissioned by the Council of Science and Technology
(CST) to research the emerging challenges for modelling electricity systems and how Britains capabilities
would need to be adapted to assess electricity system resilience as GB makes the transition to a low carbon
electricity system.
This project commissioned, and received, fifteen individual papers from GB-based specialists of international
standing in power system modelling. The authors of the papers worked with a wide stakeholder base of
network companies, academics and others, who provided review and challenge. Professor Graham Ault
CEng FIET was contracted to provide technical co-ordination and drafting. The emerging conclusions
were further validated by means of an industry and academic workshop sponsored by Government Office
for Science. The entire project was conducted under the direction of an independent steering committee
composed of senior IET Fellows, two of whom were also CST nominees.
All three parts of this report are available from the IET website at:
www.theiet.org/pnjv
The Institution of Engineering and Technology March 2015
As engineering and technology become increasingly interdisciplinary, global and inclusive, the Institution of
Engineering and Technology reflects that progression and welcomes involvement from, and communication
between, all sectors of science, engineering and technology.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England and Wales (no 211014)
and Scotland (no SCO38698)
Power System Modelling Data: Requirements, Sources and
Challenges
Stephanie Hay, Anna Ferguson
TNEI Services
Stephanie.hay@tnei.co.uk
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The key message for distribution networks is the sharing
and dissemination of knowledge and results from the
vast amount of Low Carbon Network Fund (LCNF)
Power system modelling forms a crucial part of the projects, and others, for the benefit of all. This coupled
operation, management and planning of electricity with the harmonisation of processes across DNOs for
networks. The value gained from power system modelling better alignment will facilitate the widespread adoption of
is in direct correlation with the quality and accuracy of the modelling tools and techniques and accelerate progress to
data and inputs used. As the industry shifts towards a low a low carbon future.
carbon future, there are a number of new data sources1 to
account for, such as smart meters, Phasor Measurement LV network modelling is also an area of concern with
Units (PMU) and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) regards to data capture and single phase modelling. These
technologies, as well as renewable generation and are both recognised areas of improvement going forward.
dynamic demand.
This paper presents ongoing work and development 1. BACKGROUND
projects focused on, or with an element of, modelling
these and other data sources such that accuracy can The accurate modelling of existing and new data
be improved as the uncertainty of a more variable and sources is crucial to the value gained from power system
less deterministic power system grows as a result of modelling. Traditionally, the most prominent data inputs
increasing penetrations of intermittent generation and other to any modelling activities, whether it be for planning or
challenges. The current capability in the area of modelling operational purposes, were generation and demand profile
data sources is described for both transmission and models. Although this remains the case, there is now a
distribution, with each having a different portfolio of issues much wider range of data sources in play on electricity
and objectives; the transmission network needs to model networks owing to the deployment of new and smart
new HVDC and other transmission-specific technologies technologies, including, but not limited to, STATCOMs,
to manage the network within its statutory limits; while the SVCs, FACTS (flexible AC transmission system) devices,
distribution network must model a whole range of new low power electronic devices, VSC-HVDC (voltage source
carbon technologies (LCT) with the objective of maximising converter) and solar PV inverters. The generation and
capacity to connect generation. demand profiles are also evolving as customer participation
An evaluation of the current capabilities and developments is being encouraged and generation is seen at all voltages
in data source modelling, with a view to identifying gaps on the networks right down to domestic level.
and potential shortfalls out to 2030, highlights that there are The shift in network operating philosophy, especially of
improvements required for transmission network modelling distribution networks, to a more active (rather than reactive)
data sources in order keep abreast of advancing changes, approach is seeing them operating closer to their margins
with issues of stability, visibility and sub-synchronous while also increasing in complexity.
interactions at the forefront.
1The term data sources in this paper refers to information sources for power system models which encompasses all manner of inputs which provide data to be used in a model/simulation.
Regarding the modelling of data sources for distribution networks, there are two areas that are particularly applicable:
The widespread modelling of various new technologies such as voltage regulators, smart meters, PV installations which
may be developed as plug-ins for power systems analysis software.
Data requirements to carry out this modelling, in particular data required to accurately undertake unbalanced power
systems analysis for the LV networks.
demand. Demand profiles can vary considerably between [16] Low Carbon Networks Fund (LCNF) Second Tier projects, Ofgem,
feeders, often as a result of decisions made by customers https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/electricity/distribution-networks/network-
depending on their circumstances. In general, the overall innovation/low-carbon-networks-fund/second-tier-projects
load profile for an area of network is known, however [17] Capacity to Customers (C2C), Electricity North West, http://www.
greater awareness and visibility of specific feeders would enwl.co.uk/c2c
provide information on conditions such as reverse power [18] Customer Load Active System Services (CLASS), ENW, http://
flows at customer level, which in turn could be affecting www.enwl.co.uk/class/about-class
protection and equipment. [19] Smart Street, ENW, http://www.enwl.co.uk/smartstreet/about-
smart-street
[1] Development of Dynamic Demand Models in DIgSILENT [21] Flexible Networks for a Low Carbon Future, Scottish Power Energy
PowerFactory, NIA Project Registration and PEA Document, ENA Networks, http://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/userfiles/file/Dynamic_
Smarter Networks Portal. Thermal_Rating.pdf
[2] Electricity Demand Archetype Model 2, NIA Project Registration [22] New Thames Valley Vision, Scottish & Southern Energy, http://
and PEA Document, ENA Smarter Networks Portal. www.thamesvalleyvision.co.uk/
[3] Developments in Protection and Control, ENA Smarter Networks [23] My Electric Avenue, SSE, http://myelectricavenue.info/
Portal, http://www.smarternetworks.org/Project.aspx?ProjectID=1124 [24] Solent Achieving Value from Efficiency (SAVE), SSE, http://www.
[4] Investigation of sub-synchronous between wind turbine generators energy.soton.ac.uk/save-solent-achieving-value-from-efficiency/
and series capacitors, NIA Project Registration and PEA Document, [25] Flexible Plug & Play, UK Power Networks, http://innovation.
ENA Smarter Networks Portal. ukpowernetworks.co.uk/innovation/en/Projects/tier-2-projects/Flexible-
[5] EPRI Research Collaboration on Grid Operations and Control, Plug-and-Play-(FPP)/
NIA Project Registration and PEA Document, ENA Smarter Networks [26] Low Carbon London, UKPN, http://innovation.ukpowernetworks.
Portal. co.uk/innovation/en/Projects/tier-2-projects/Low-Carbon-London-(LCL)/
[6] Scalable Computational Tools and Infrastructure for Interoperable [27] FALCON, Western Power Distribution, http://www.
and Secure Control of Power System, NIA Project Registration and westernpowerinnovation.co.uk/Falcon.aspx
PEA Document, ENA Smarter Networks Portal.
[28] FlexDGrid, WPD, http://www.westernpowerinnovation.co.uk/
[7] Blah http://ec.europa.eu/energy/gas_electricity/smartgrids/doc/ FlexDGrid.aspx
xpert_group1_reference_architecture.pdf
[29] LV Templates, WPD, http://www.westernpowerinnovation.co.uk/
[8] Modelling of Embedded Generation within LV-Templates.aspx
Distribution Networks and Assessing the Impact, NIA Project
Registration and PEA Document, ENA Smarter Networks Portal. [30] Low Carbon Hub, WPD, http://www.westernpowerinnovation.
co.uk/Lincolnshire-Low-Carbon-Hub.aspx
[9] Visualization of Renewable Energy Models, NIA Project
Registration and PEA Document, ENA Smarter Networks Portal. [31] Smart Grid Forum, Ofgem and DECC, https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/
electricity/distribution-networks/forums-seminars-and-working-groups/
[10] Multi-Terminal Test Environment (MTTE) for HVDC Systems, decc-and-ofgem-smart-grid-forum
NIC, ENA Smart Networks Portal, http://www.smarternetworks.org/
Project.aspx?ProjectID=1315 [32] CIGRE/CIRED JWG C4/C6.35 Modelling and dynamic
performance of inverter based generation in power system
[11] Mitra, P., ABB HVDC Grid Simulation Center: A Powerful transmission and distribution studies, http://c4.cigre.org/WG-Area/
Tool for Real-Time Research of DC Grids, Poster Presentation, JWG-C4-C6.35-CIRED-Modelling-and-dynamic-performance-
EWEA Conference 2014, http://proceedings.ewea.org/annual2014/ of-inverter-based-generation-in-power-system-transmission-and-
conference/posters/PO_056_EWEApresentation2014.pdf distribution-studies
[12] Dennetire, S., Real-time simulation at Rt, Issues and
Perspectives, Presentation, IEEE PES General Meeting, July 2013.
[13] Low Voltage Integrated Automation (LoVIA), ENW LCNF Tier 1
Project, http://www.enwl.co.uk/about-us/the-future/lcnf-tier-1-projects
1 Birdcage Walk
Westminster
London
SW1H 9JJ
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is working to engineer a better world. We inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community, supporting
technology innovation to meet the needs of society. The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England and Wales (No. 211014) and Scotland
(No. SCO38698).