Incorporating Electromagnetic Transient Studies

into the Generator Interconnection Process at ATC

Damien Sommer, Chengyue Guo, Josh Kerr

Nov 4th , 2020

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Agenda

• Introduction
• Pre-Kick Off – SCR Screening
• Phase 1 – PSCAD Model Verification & PSCAD
Transmission Network Model Development
• Phase 2/3 – PSCAD Analysis
• Post Phase 3 – Material Modification Study
• Summary

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Introduction – ATC Footprint

• A multi-state, transmission-only electric

utility
• Own and operate more than 560
substations and more than 9,800 miles
of transmission lines
• Have a peak load of about 13,000 MW
• Have about 600 employees
• MISO TO member

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Introduction – Recent ATC GI Queues

• ATC had over 7 GW of IBR requests in three recent queues

Energy Storage
Queue Cycle Wind (MW) Solar (MW)
(MW)
2017 August
341 1,299 0
WI Cycle

2018 April Cycle 300 3,240 170

2019 April Cycle 232 1,239 269

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Introduction – MISO & ATC PSCAD Study Requirements

MISO BPM-15

• PSCAD models required for all IBRs

• Study to be determined by local Planning Criteria in combination
with MISO’s evaluation

ATC Planning Criteria

• PSCAD models required for all IBRs
• PSCAD studies required for IBR connecting to an area with low
short circuit strength

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Introduction - ATC PSCAD Study in MISO GI Process

• The Overarching Challenge

– Hard to complete in MISO System Impact Study (SIS)
timelines and require significant stakeholder collaborations
• MISO (RTO)
• ATC (TO)
• Consultant hired by ATC
• Interconnection Customer (IC)
• Consultant hired by IC
• Inverter manufacturer

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Introduction - ATC PSCAD Study in MISO GI Process

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Pre-Kick Off - SCR Screening

• Problems to solve
– What G-T requests require a PSCAD study?
– If a PSCAD study is required what faults need to be studied?

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Pre-Kick Off - SCR Screening

• ATC Criteria to Determine if a PSCAD Study is Needed

– Proximity to known weak grid area
– Proximity to Mackinac HVDC, Benson Lake SVC
– SCR below 3 (N-0, N-1, N-2)
– WSCR below 1.5 (N-0, N-1, N-2)

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Pre-Kick Off - SCR Screening

• ATC developed python tool for rapid SCR evaluation of numerous IBR plants

Inputs
1. List of POI
buses Python Output
2. List of Plant SCR Excel File with
MW capabilities
3. Starting bus Screening SCRs under N-0,
4. # of branches Tool N-1 and N-2
away from
starting bus

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Pre-Kick Off - SCR Screening

• Use the output of the python SCR screening tool to select the contingencies to
study in PSCAD Study Contingencies
with low SCRs

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Pre-Kick Off - SCR Screening

• SCR Screening Results for Three MISO Queue Cycles

# IBR # Requiring
Queue Cycle # Contingencies
Requests PSCAD Study
2017 August
12 9 8
WI Cycle*

2018 April Cycle 24 14 36

2019 April Cycle 18 13 33

* Prior to ATC Python Screening Tool and Contingency Selection Guidelines

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Phase 1 – PSCAD Model Verification

• Model Challenge
– Although the PSCAD model requirements were
provided to ICs prior to model submittals, the
requirements were usually not fulfilled.

http://www.electranix.com/publication/
pscad-requirements-rev-9-may-2020/

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Phase 1 – PSCAD Model Verification

• Common Modelling Issues

– Generic Models (not “real code”)
– No Power Plant Controller (PPC)
– Use Default Parameters
– Not Project Specific
– Not Matching Application Data

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Phase 1 – PSCAD Model Verification

• Model Verification Statistics

Longest Time to
# IBR PSCAD
# IBR PSCAD Get Model
Queue Cycle Models Needing
Models Studied Resolution
Tuning
(Weeks)
2017 August
9 2 12
WI Cycle
2018 April
14 12 24
Cycle

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Phase 1 – PSCAD Model Verification
Visual Inspection
The manufacturer’s name and the specific version of the inverter model should be clearly observable in the .psc
1
file.
The PSCAD model documentation should be provided. It should match the model version in the .psc file and
2
should include instructions for setup and running of the model.
The .psc file should contain the modeling of all the facilities from the inverters to POI including, but not limited to,
3 the following facilities listed in 3a - 3h. The facilities should be site specific. The data in the .psc file should match
PSSE steady state modeling data.
3a Generator dispatched at the requested MW level

3b Equivalent pad mount transformer

3c Equivalent collector system

3d Main step-up transformer

3e Gen-tie line

3f Cap banks, STATCOM or any other types of voltage control device

3g AC equivalent source at the POI with manufacture designed minimum stable SCR for the inverter
3h 60 Hz grid frequency base

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Phase 1 – PSCAD Model Verification
Visual Inspection (cont.)
4 Protection settings are implemented.

4a Generator voltage and frequency protection settings should match PSSE .dyr file.

4b Option to disable protection models is present.

5 Model uses a simulation timestep of 10 µs or higher.

6 Model compiles using Intel FORTRAN version 12 or higher.

7 Model uses PSCAD version 4.6 or higher.

8 Model supports the PSCAD “snapshot” feature.

9 Model supports the PSCAD “multiple run” feature.

Model can be scaled to represent any number inverters/turbines, either using a scaling
10
transformer or internal scaling. Model should not be using current injection to scale the plant.
11 Model includes power plant controller (PPC)

12 PPC accepts an external active power setpoint.

13 PPC accepts a voltage setpoint of 1.02 pu at POI. PPC is in voltage control mode.

14 PPC has a mechanism to implement a settable voltage droop

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Phase 1 – PSCAD Model Verification
Performance Evaluation
Model initializes to the setpoints specified in the PPC in 5 sec or less
15 and meets ATC Stability Criteria for 20 sec of simulation after all values 20 sec flat run
have initialized.

If auxiliary plant voltage control devices are included in the plant, the
16 voltage control of these devices should be coordinated with the PPC to 20 sec flat run
prevent circulating VARs.

Model is able to ride-through, recover and meet ATC Stability Criteria

20 sec run with
17 from a 6-cycle, 3PG fault at the POI while dispatched at 100% of
a 3PG fault
PMAX.

Model is able to ride-through, recover and meet ATC Stability Criteria 20 sec run with
18
from a 6-cycle, 3PG fault at the POI while dispatched at 20% of PMAX. a 3PG fault

19 Determine the actual minimum stable SCR for the plant. Minimum stable SCR test

Model responds to a step increase in frequency (overfrequency

excursion event) by decreasing its active power meeting the
20 FERC Order 842 test
performance specified in Table 2.1 of NERC IRPTF 2019
Reliability Guideline.

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Phase 1 – PSCAD Model Verification

Performance Evaluation (cont.)

Model responds to a step change in PPC voltage setpoint
21 meeting the performance specified in Table 2.2 of NERC IRPTF POI voltage step change test
2019 Reliability Guideline.

Model trips or blocks when terminal voltage rises

22 High voltage protection test
above 1.3 pu for 1 sec.

Model trips or blocks when terminal voltage falls

23 Low voltage protection test
below 0.2 pu for 1 sec.

The closed-loop dynamic response of the overall inverter-based

resources, as measured at the POM, should have the capability
24 Large disturbance test
to meet or exceed the performance specified in Table 2.3 of
NERC IRPTF 2019 Reliability Guideline.

Model is compliant with NERC PRC-024 with momentary

25 PRC-024 test
cessation disabled.

26 Model is compliant with FERC order 827. FERC order 827 test

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Phase 1 - Transmission Network Model Development

• For each PSCAD study

– Define modeling area in the vicinity of the new IBRs using engineer
judgement
– Develop detailed frequency dependent transmission line models based
on conductor types, bundle configurations, and tower geometries
– Develop fault logics
– Generation dispatch sensitivities

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Phase 2/3 - PSCAD Analysis

• Problems to solve
– How to define IBR stability performance deficiency?
– What are the mitigation options to consider?

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Phase 2/3 - PSCAD Analysis - ATC IBR Control Stability
Criteria
• No tripping for any Planning Events
• Continue current injection inside PRC-24 “No Trip Zone”
• No re-entering fault ride-through mode more than once in the time
period beginning 6 cycles after the fault clears until the end of the 20
second simulation
IBR plant appears to re-enter fault
ride-through mode several times
Fault starts

Fault clears

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Phase 2/3 - PSCAD Analysis - ATC IBR Control Stability
Criteria
• Damping Criteria for P & Q at terminal buses, V at POIs
– 50% or greater reduction in oscillation magnitude over the last four oscillation
periods of the 20 second simulation
OR
– Peak-to-peak magnitudes during the last two sec of the 20 sec simulation not
exceeding 3% of their rated values

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Phase 2/3 - PSCAD Analysis - Mitigation Development

• Interconnection Customer Options:

– Control System Tuning
– Lower Impedance from Generator to POI
– Reduced Plant Capacity
– Temporary RAS (not preferred)

• TO Options:
– Transmission Reinforcement
– Operating Restrictions for N-1-1

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Phase 2/3 - PSCAD Analysis - Mitigation Development

• Identified Mitigations for Two MISO Queue Cycles

EMT Stability
IC Control
Transmission Operating
Queue Cycle System
Reinforcement Restriction
Tuning
for N-1-1
2017 August
2 1 5
WI Cycle
2018 April
12 0 10
Cycle

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Phase 2/3 - PSCAD Analysis - Mitigation Development

PSCAD: P, Q, POI Voltage Under the Worst N-1 PSSE: POI Voltage Under Worst N-1

Stable Result!
Unstable Results!

PSCAD: P, Q, POI Voltage Under the Worst N-1

Stable Result!
After the New Transmission Line
Project is Included

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Post Phase 3 - Material Modification Study

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Post Phase 3 - Material Modification Study

• Interconnection Customer to Submit a Detailed Analysis

– To demonstrate that the proposed change is not a Material
Modification
– Steady-state, reactive power, short circuit, and stability analyses

• PSCAD Restudy Required by ATC

– If a PSCAD study including the generator was performed during SIS
– Same study scope after model verification

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Summary

Key Issues Recommendations

What to study in PSCAD? Develop screening criteria and a screening tool

Is the PSCAD model Develop a model verification process and complete it prior to
appropriate? PSCAD analysis

How to identify performance

Develop IBR control stability criteria
deficiency?

How to efficiently implement the

Get the models and faults ready as early as possible
PSCAD study in GI process?

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 PSCAD
Studies

GI Study Timeline

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Questions?

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Contact Information

• Josh Kerr
– [email protected]
• Chengyue Guo
– [email protected]
• Damien Sommer
– [email protected]

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