We asked the experts: what are the next developments in power system protection engineering?
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We spoke to some of the speakers lined up to present at DPSP 2024 – the 17th International Conference on Developments in Power System Protection – to find out what they think the biggest developments in the sector are. This is what they said:
What do you think will be the biggest game-changer in power system protection?
“The massive integration of renewable generation, especially those interfaced by inverters, is a challenge which has led protection engineers to think differently from the traditional way. It has opened room for new developments and has allowed the application of unconventional modern solutions. In this sense, going beyond the traditional phasor-based solutions by analysing and studying high frequency components have demonstrated to be a promising way to overcome the problems that have taken place in the new era of power systems.”
Felipe Lopes, Professor, Federal University of Paraíba
“The challenges of system operating with high levels of inverter-based technologies.”
Anna Blackwell, Product Manager (Phasor Data), National Grid ESO
“Loss of inertia in the network, plus DER and decarbonising the demand of energy.”
Jorge Solar, Lead Protection Engineer - EngS - Design + Standards - Substations, SP Energy Networks
“The augmentation of digitisation and the utilisation of Artificial Intelligence have the potential to facilitate a significant technological leap in the advancement of protection systems. Achieving this necessitates a profound understanding of emerging technologies, coupled with the expertise garnered through the management of electrical power systems, fostering a gradual and effective development process.”
Emiliano Casale, Station Systems Manager, TERNA S.A.
“The integration of inverter based resources, and the increase of data related to monitoring.”
Maud Merley, PAC System expert, Réseau de Transport d'Électricité
“Converter-dominated grids.”
Alexander Tsylin, Lead Protection Specialist, Ørsted
“Periods and locations of very low fault current indeed.”
Tim Green, Academic Leader for Sustainability, Professor, Imperial College London
“Power system protection is one such key component of the system which requires highest levels of reliability, resilience and stability – any game-changer or disruptive theme would need to meet these expectations. I don't see any radical changes happening quickly but steady evolution as has been in the past from electro-mechanical to static and then numerical/digital systems.”
Gurpal Singh, Principal Engineer & Professions Lead, Engineering Hub, Ofgem
What impact is the increased use of renewable sources having on protection systems?
“The influence of renewables on protection systems is substantial, as it actively reshapes their design and poses challenges to the underlying assumptions of current protection systems.”
Emiliano Casale, Station Systems Manager, Terna SpA
“Reduction of and greater uncertainty over fault current magnitudes and angles.”
Tim Green, Academic Leader for Sustainability, Professor, Imperial College London
Which new technologies have caught your eye recently?
“Digital Twins potential to testing, cybersecurity and predictive maintenance.”
Jorge Solar, Lead Protection Engineer - EngS - Design + Standards - Substations, SP Energy Networks
“Use of Artificial Intelligence in data management.”
Maud Merley, PAC System expert, Réseau de Transport d'Électricité
“Grid-forming inverters and E-STATCOMs.”
Alexander Tsylin, Lead Protection Specialist, Ørsted
“Currently we are focusing our attention to the process bus technology.”
Emiliano Casale, Station Systems Manager, Terna SpA
“Grid forming capabilities for DC/inverter fed generators.”
Gurpal Singh, Principal Engineer & Professions Lead, Engineering Hub, Ofgem
“Travelling wave-based solutions.”
Felipe Lopes, Professor, Federal University of Paraíba
What are you most looking forward to at DPSP 2024?
“Exchange with other utilities regarding experiences in digital substations.”
Maud Merley, PAC System expert, Réseau de Transport d'Électricité
“Networking and knowledge sharing.”
Alexander Tsylin, Lead Protection Specialist, Ørsted
“Wide area monitoring, protection and control systems, using 61850 and distributed time synch source.”
Jorge Solar, Lead Protection Engineer - EngS - Design + Standards - Substations, SP Energy Networks
“Meet experts from academia and industry which work in the protection area, exchange knowledge and share our recent findings.”
Felipe Lopes, Professor, Federal University of Paraíba
“Understanding the developments in monitoring and protection control.”
Anna Blackwell, Product Manager (Phasor Data), National Grid ESO
“Explore innovative strategies for designing protection systems in response to the growing integration of renewable energy into the power grid.”
Emiliano Casale, Station Systems Manager, Terna SpA
You can find out more about DPSP 2024, see the full programme, and book your ticket to join the engineers featured in this article, at https://spkl.io/60044vXre
Engineering Manager at Electromagnetic Corporation
1yThere will likely be something new in relaying business but in el. engineering not, as long as we keep the TEM wave key player.