Energy Speaker Series - Module 1: Transmission System Operations - Improving System Performance and Reliability

Overview

Session 1.2: Simulink based Load Frequency Controller Model for continental Europe,
Barbara Weinzierl, System Operations, Forecast and System Balancing, TenneT TSO GmbH, Germany

Each control area in Continental Europe operates a load frequency controller (LFC) which automatically activates the secondary balancing reserves (aFRR) of the area. The presented MATLAB/Simulink model simulates the effect of imbalances in the system on frequency by simulating the reaction of the grid, the LFC of each control area and the units providing balancing energy. It can be used for various kinds of analysis e.g.to analyze mitigation measures against deterministic frequency deviations or support discussions on requirements of FCR delivery.

Session 1.3: Test-Driven development of a TSO-TSO optimization platform,
Dr. Dominik Schlipf and Simon Remppis, TransnetBW, Germany

Within the PICASSO-project, the European TSOs are developing a common platform aiming to optimize the activation of aFRR (automatic frequency restoration reserve) in real time. 

The project had the typical challenges:

• Tight time plan for the implementation of the solution
• Several different stakeholders
  
• Need for a flexible development due to uncertainties of the final requirements 
  
• Complex algorithm, feasibility and side effects of changes were not always obvious.

Within the project, a test-driven development method with a MATLAB prototype was used. Within this agile development method, “problems” are formulated, the expected behavior is discussed, and a test case is developed.  In parallel, the test case is used to develop and implement a solution in the algorithm. All test cases together serve as test suite that is continuously used to validate any changes of the prototype. This approach allows developing the software solution in a very flexible way.  In addition, it is very easy for stakeholders to formulate requirements towards the solution, as the formal mathematical specification is replaced by the formulation of test cases.   

The presentation is starting with a general introduction in the PICASSO project itself and the main principles of the optimization platform. After this, we explain the main challenges and the advantages of an agile software development method. We will show the way in which we used the method in practice, focusing on the chosen approach, the challenges we faced and how we developed the prototype. At the end of the presentation, we show how we used the MATLAB prototype as a validation tool during the implementation of the optimizer at the target IT-environment. 

Session 1.4: Remote control of a fully featured transmission system operator’s SCADA system,
Prof. Dr. Martin Wolter and Eric Glende, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany

Keeping transmission systems safe and secure is a more and more challenging task for grid operators due to increased complexity and faster system dynamics. Expert and assistant systems are therefore a promising approach to support operational staff in decision making and relieves their daily routine by automating subtasks. Before these assistant systems can be set into force and implemented into the SCADA system, they need to be developed, tested and probably modified offline and in a lab environment.

Therefore, OVGU together with PSI AG have developed a MATLAB interface for the PSIcontrol SCADA system. This interface allows MATLAB to fully remote control PSIcontrol and execute every task, a human operator can also do. Using this flexibility, it is possible to rapidly develop and test strategies for grid automation, decision making and grid optimization directly in MATLAB and in a small scale. It is then scaled to industry level and tested using the interface to the fully featured PSIcontrol SCADA system. In this lab environment, even large bulk power transmission systems can be simulated and controlled in real-time. By doing so, development of new operational strategies is much more flexible, needs less development time and can be more easily integrated into existing SCADA systems. Thus, grid operators can benefit earlier from new operational innovations.

About the Presenters

Session 1.2

Barbara Weinzierl received her Diploma of Renewable Energy Systems Engineering at TU Dresden and joined TenneT TSO GmbH in 2018. As referent for operational balancing management she is involved in national and international balancing projects and is responsible for data analysis, modelling and simulations. One of her MATLAB projects is the model of the European Load Frequency Controllers, which she is hosting for an ENTSO-E working group.

Session 1.3

Dr.-Ing. Dominik Schlipf, Team Lead at TransnetBW System balance, responsible for the operational processes related to system balance (e.g. LFC, PICASSO). Dr. Schlipf received his doctor degree in 2012 in Engineering Cybernectics from University of Stuttgart. Between 2012 and 2020, Dr. Schlipf held several positions including technical project lead for several conventional and renewable power plants and engineer system operation at TransnetBW leading the implementation of the PICASSO IT-solution together with the IT-supplier. 

Simon Remppis, a system operation engineer at TransnetBW leading the development of optimization algorithm for real time exchange of balancing energy. Mr. Remppis studied Engineering Cybernetics at University of Stuttgart and was a research associate at University of Stuttgart between 2012-2016, where he conducted various research projects in the field of power system operation and dynamics.

Session 1.4

Prof. Dr. Martin Wolter received his Dr. degree and venia legendi from Leibniz University Hannover in 2008 and 2012. He then was head of the team operational concepts and system security at 50Hertz Transmission GmbH. Since 2015 he is head of the chair of Electric Power Networks and renewable energy at Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg. His research interests are modelling and simulation of electric power system, power system operation and power system state identification. He is member of VDE ETG and senior member of IEEE PES.

Eric Glende received his Master degree in Electrical Energy Systems – Renewable Energy Sources at the Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg (OVGU) in Germany. He is now working as a scientific assistant at the OVGU at the chair of electric power networks and renewable energy and does his PhD on the topic operational concepts for VSC HVDC systems in the German transmission system. He is member at the IEEE Germany section and active member in the IEEE Student Branch Magdeburg as well as in the VDE. His interests are HVDC systems in the power network and grid calculation.