Download TF2 Smart Grid

TF2 Smart Grid
Utility components that should be integrated into the SG
Bulk Generation
Bulk generation is typically a large generation facility with one or more individual
generation units on a single site. Types of generation typically include Coal, nuclear,
natural gas, hydro, pumped-hydro, and other types of fuel. Large wind sites, while
renewable energy, may be classified as bulk generation because there may be hundreds of
megawatts generated in one area tied into a transmission line. Bulk generation output is
important to monitor as utilities must know if they have lost a source of generation.
Losses are typically covered by spinning reserve plants. Some plants, sometimes called
swing generators, are run to maintain the overall system frequency and may supply
reactive power.
Bulk generation is typically monitored by large utilities in control facilities, or may be
monitored by ISOs or RTOs. The status of a plant and its associated power output is
important for monitoring.
Transmission
Transmission lines are often tens of miles to hundreds of miles in length, and the status
and power flow within a line are usually monitored at a substation or power plant on
either end of the line. While it is critical to know the current flow, frequency, voltage, and
overall power quality in a transmission line segment, it is typically done at the substation.
However, some of the “smart grid” sensors are starting to be used to monitor sag or
detect vandalism. Occasionally video cameras are used as physical security monitors, but
they require more bandwidth. Transmission voltages typically start at 69 kV and above.
There are 25 kV, 34 kV, 44 kV, and other lower voltages may be considered by some
utilities as transmission, or sub-transmission voltages. Bulk power plants typically have
large substations situated adjacent to their generation facilities and step up voltage levels
from medium voltage (12 kV – 25 kV) to high voltage (69 kV and above). Stepping up
the voltage at the bulk power plant allow for moving large amounts of power over long
distances.
Substation
There are many different configurations of substations that serve an electric utility. The
most common type of substation take transmission line voltage, and through a
transformer, step down voltage levels to distribution voltage levels.
Devices in a substation that need to be monitored (typically by SCADA systems) include;
Transformers
Load Tap Changers (may be integral to the transformer, but are still monitored)
Substation high-side breakers
Circuit switchers
Manual switches
Circuit breakers
Microprocessor based protective relays
Security devices at the substation control room
Perimeter fence security monitors (motion detectors, video cameras)
Typical values that will be measured are:
Voltage
Current
Power Factor
Harmonics
Status (Circuit Breaker, alarms)
Transformer Temperature
Distribution System
The distribution system is typically comprised of the medium-voltage distribution feeders
from the substation circuit breaker terminals to transformers that serve homes and
businesses at low voltage levels. Components that would be monitored in a smart grid
system would include;

Meters








Fuses
Switches
Sections of conductors, both underground and overhead
Capacitor banks
Reclosers
Sectionalizers
Transformers
Distributed generation facilities