eBook | Grid Modernization 2022: Resilience & Reliability

Transmission entities take models at face value with no analysis of model quality. Unintentionally incorrect models (parametrization) were used and never questioned. Intentionally incorrect models are used to get through the interconnection process easily. There is a lack of technical expertise in companies to detail EMT models and analyze a vast number of models for interconnection requests. Interconnection studies not picking-up reliability issues with positive sequence studies mostly, will not identify transients problems.  Furthermore, detailed EMT studies without accurate models of protection and inappropriate use of EMT models, or overestimation of model quality, will bring wrong results.

Interesting eBook. I wonder how much legacy systems are going to be a challenge in grid modernisation.  That is, legacy software that does the job and is kept going because the users are familiar with it, despite it might have security vulnerabilities. 

There is also the issue of "legacy equipment": old kit that is still functioning but the plans have been lost and things like buried cables that no-one knows where they are actually in the ground. 

Upgrading these systems to the new era could be costly and difficult, perhaps?

No doubt that the grid needs to be updated. The challenge is finding creative ways to finance the trillions that analysts think is need to bring it up to where it needs to be. Technology offers other businesses many ways to market their services, so perhaps, energy companies could look to it to help make the business cases.