As the number of IBR sources in the GB system continues to rise, it becomes essential to conduct numerous Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) simulations across various scenarios and contingency cases to assess system stability. Consequently, there is an escalating demand for the development of the ability to perform multiple EMT analyses to facilitate broader network studies while keeping simulation times manageable and practical.
This project aims to develop innovative approaches for expediting simulation times required to execute the comprehensive GB EMT model. It will also offer technical insights to ascertain the imperative need for EMT simulations during critical system conditions.
Benefits
The project will enhance the GB network's EMT model by improving the models' computational efficiency, which will help investigate more scenarios with stability risks while transitioning into zero carbon operation. Additionally, it will offer technical recommendations to identify critical system conditions requiring EMT simulations.
The learnings from this project will also be beneficial to Transmission Owners (TOs) concerning the run time of their respective EMT networks. The TOs use the same EMT software package, and the developed tool should be able to integrate with their models seamlessly. Furthermore, the second phase of the innovation project will produce technical guideline outlining the scenarios for which EMT simulations are necessary under system-critical conditions for better-informed decisions.
Learnings
Outcomes
The following outcomes have been achieved through this project:
- An enhanced England & Wales EMT network model for 2025 has been developed, featuring integration with 40 inverter-based resource (IBR) generic models. This supports practical and scalable EMT simulations for wide-area studies across Great Britain's power system, significantly reducing the simulation time required for NESO to conduct numerous EMT simulations.
- Efficient generic EMT models have been developed for HVDC, offshore wind farms, and STATCOM. These models are versatile and can be utilised for various operational and planning studies in the future.
- A methodology for enhancing EMT network models has been established. This methodology can be applied to any type of wider network in the future to facilitate faster simulations.
- A technical guide to determine when EMT simulations are necessary under critical system conditions has been developed. This guide is applicable to any wide network and aids in identifying which scenarios need to be run in EMT and which boundaries should be considered based on screening studies.
- Python script-based tools were developed applied to the full ETYS grid model to further assist NESO and determine the extent of the study area in a systematic manner.
Lessons Learnt
The following lessons have been learned through this project:
- The process to enhance the EMT network models to improve simulation speed by employing various techniques utilised in this project.
- The potential screen studies to identify potential risks and determine the system conditions under which these risks are most likely to occur.
- Methods to determine the extent of the study boundary necessary for conducting EMT simulations.
