Fault rate analysis and contingency modelling for the electricity transmission system
| industrial collaborators: | National Grid |
| academic collaborators: | The University of Edinburgh |
| initiated : | 2009/07/22 |
| last updated: | 2009/08/27 |
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Project staff and support
Dan Eager (Intern, University of Edinburgh)
Noel McGoldrick (Company Supervisor, National Grid)
Janusz Bialek (Academic Mentor, University of Edinburgh)
Melvin Brown (Technology Translator, Industrial Mathematics KTN)
This Internship project was carried out at National Grid, in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh. It is part of the KTN's Industrial Mathematics Internships Programme, co-funded by EPSRC. Start date: April 2009; duration: 3 months.
In planning and operating the transmission system National Grid uses a set of Security Standards which define contingencies the transmission system must be robust against. The security standards are owned by the three British transmission companies: Scottish Power, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission and National Grid. The work of this project will inform the review of this shared standard. The review involves all parties, including the regulator.
“Dan has brought specialist knowledge on the use of statistics to a hugely important practical application here at National Grid. More than this Dan has focussed his enthusiasm and energy to drive this work forward.” , said industrial supervisor Noel McGoldrick, Programme Manager, National Grid.
Project Summary
Facilitating the increasing penetration of renewable generation in Great Britain is a formidable task. Efficient investment and operation of the transmission network must continue, and new policies for connecting generation and transmitting electricity must be developed. As a result, the current standards [1] for planning and operating the transmission system are under review. As the Operator of the High Voltage Transmission System in Great Britain, National Grid has a key role in the review process.
One aspect of the Security and Quality of Supply Standard (SQSS) being reconsidered is the applicability of the contingency criteria against which the transmission system must be compliant. National Grid is currently investing £500m per year to maintain system compliance against a background of demand growth and the connection of new renewable generation in parts of the system not historically designed to connect generation.
This project has provided the company with the means of assessing the robustness of the current system against the contingency criteria and furthermore the results will support the development of new policy proposals.
“The internship was a fantastic opportunity for the student to understand better how the system really works and to make contacts in a company which plays a crucial role in the power industry. The benefits are numerous, both direct and indirect ones. His PhD work will benefit directly from the knowledge acquired which could not be found in any textbook or a paper. The contacts made will benefit greatly the department in general, and me in particular.” , said academic mentor Janusz Bialek, Power Systems Operation and Control Group, University of Edinburgh.