Power System Control and Operation
Master plan/System study
Sweco has been active in Sweden since the beginning of the 20th Century and has played a leading role in providing Sweden with one of the most modern and efficient power systems in the world. The large investments related to power installations require careful and farsighted planning. The planning procedure often involves load forecasting used as the basis for continued work. A plan for the expansion of a power system is established after careful comparison and selection amongst various alternatives. We aim to develop cost effective and sustainable supply of energy that supports a positive development of the society in an environmental friendly way, in cooperation with our Clients.
Sweco has substantial experience from planning of power systems of various sizes and at different voltage levels. Services have been provided both for complete systems and as a part of studies relating to specific projects. Advanced computer programmes for power balance calculations and economic optimisation have been developed for this work.
Advanced programs simulating electric systems such as short-circuit calculations, online load flow, dynamic simulations, stability and fault analysis are extensively used, especially in early project stages and training of the Client’s staff.
A number of different analysis tools are familiar, such as SIMPOW, PSS/E, NetBas and Digsilent Knowledge both from static and dynamic analysis of networks and production plants. ARISTO, a real-time power system model/simulator is used for real-time training of power system personnel and dynamic analysis of national power systems.
Remote Control - Load Dispatch Centres
Sweco has worked in the power sector in various countries worldwide for many years. Sweco has led and participated in a number of projects related to Control Centre design and operational processes, as well as defining SCADA systems and Power Production (Hydro and Thermal) software including its purchase, implementation, turnover and training.
Sweco provides experienced engineers specialised in the whole range of activities to be undertaken, from feasibility studies, functional requirement specifications through to the implementation of new or the upgrade of existing Substations, Automation Systems, District, Regional and National Control Centres.
In addition to a legal framework, and principles for organisational structure, a non hierarchical electricity interconnection market requires technical supporting systems. This include different Energy Management System (EMS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and associated communication systems. Our experience in the latter area covers communications by power line carrier, VHF/UHF, microwave, optical fibre and satellite communication links.
A prerequisite for such a concept is the availability of information and its processing. This is managed by the development of IT. In addition to SCADA and EMS, Energy Measurement, Balance Service, Trading and Accounting facilities are introduced.
These functions are not related to the relatively static power system, but instead to business activities using the power system. Per definition this is a dynamic field of activity and requires supervisory functions that are easy to change and reorganise.
The development of IT today supports such flexibility in combination with the high performance required for power supply.
On the other hand, a number of examples show that such supporting systems easily become very costly and not always profitable. A careful and stepwise project development is the best recipe to obtain a suitable functionality, combined with an optimal financing solution.