Power system automation and the pursuit of efficient grid operation

Modern electrical installations rely on numerous solutions designed to ensure the uninterrupted operation of electrical grids. Among these, power system automation is widely utilised. But what exactly is it, what are its types, and how does it influence grid efficiency?

A crucial component of a properly functioning power system is power system protection. Its primary objective is to guarantee reliability, safety, and the uninterrupted supply of electricity. It emerged alongside the implementation of the first systems for generating, transmitting, and utilising electrical energy.

Power system protection

The operation of power grids requires the use of solutions that provide adequate protection against the consequences of various disturbances, which could lead to network failures. For this purpose, power system protection, or PSP, is used. The primary task of power system protection is the continuous monitoring of the operational status of the grid, analysis of the readings and possible response to detected anomalies or disturbances in the operation of the grid. Thus, it serves as a control mechanism for the grid, both during normal operation and when disturbances occur.

The fundamental component of PSP consists of automated protection systems, comprising devices such as fuses, relays, and recorders. The development of this field, alongside the ongoing energy transition and the emergence of new energy sources like RES, has led to increasingly advanced power system automation.

Modern power system protection employs microprocessor-based devices capable of monitoring a greater number of parameters, conducting more sophisticated data analysis, and managing the real-time operation of various circuit breakers, switches, and earthing devices. Furthermore, the data analysed can be stored, providing crucial information for identifying the source of failures and facilitating their subsequent resolution (e.g., event recorders and disturbance recorders).

Classification of PSP

The devices employed as part of power system protection can be divided into several categories:

• elimination devices
• preventive devices
• restoration devices

Elimination devices focus on quickly locating the source of a failure and isolating (eliminating) a specific segment or element of the power system, thereby preventing the spread of failure effects.

Preventive devices primarily detect deviations from normal system parameters and, by signalling identified threats, help prevent failures.

Restoration devices are primarily tasked with restoring the system to normal operation as quickly as possible after a failure has been resolved, eliminating the threat, or automatically activating backup power for consumers.

Functions of PSP

How does the operation of power system protection proceed? The devices perform the following functions:

• monitoring: by reading signals from sensors or transformers present in the system
• detection: identifying any deviations from normal readings
• recognition: determining the type of disturbance
• localisation: identifying the location where the disturbance occurred
• decision-making: consisting of a warning function, which involves informing about the identified anomaly, and an elimination function, which entails removing the threat by shutting down the system or its component

Power grid construction – PSP

Power system automation plays a critical role in the overall power system. Efficient grid operation would not be possible without the application of appropriate protections, which should already be considered during the design phase of the power grid. The implementation of PSP significantly enhances grid efficiency by reducing energy losses, minimising downtime, and protecting individual grid components from more severe failures.

Protection systems should primarily ensure rapid response, exhibit an appropriate level of sensitivity, and maintain inherent reliability. Furthermore, considerations such as ease of use, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness are equally important.

Achieving efficient power grid operation requires continuous monitoring and optimisation of processes. In this regard, power system protection provides significant support. The integration of PSP with smart grid technologies enables better alignment between energy production and consumption, which is especially crucial given the growing share of RES.

Efficient grid operation

Power system protection is indispensable for maintaining user safety and minimising system operation costs. It provides real-time network status monitoring and enables prompt responses to detected threats. Thanks to its ability to integrate with management systems, it facilitates efficient threat elimination, prevents the spread of failure effects, and restores normal system operation promptly after the threat is removed.