Volt Var Optimization

This application calculates the optimal settings of voltage controller of LTCs, voltage regulators, DERs, power electronic devices, and capacitor statuses optimizing the operations by either following different objectives at different times, or considering conflicting objectives together in a weighted manner.

1. Closed-loop mode, in which the application runs either periodically (e.g., every 15 min) or is triggered by an event (i.e., topology or objective change), based on real-time information. The application’s recommendations are executed automatically via SCADA control commands.

2. Study mode, in which the application performs “what-if” studies, and provides recommended actions to the operator.

3. Look-ahead mode, in which conditions expected in the near future can be studied (from 1 hour through 1 week) by the operator.

The following objectives, which could be preset for different times of the day and overwritten by operator if need to, are supported by the application:

a. Minimize kWh consumption at voltages beyond given voltage quality limits (i.e., ensure standard voltages at customer terminals)

If, during optimization or execution of the solution, the circuit status changes, the application is interrupted and solution is re-optimized. If, during execution, some operations are unsuccessful, solution is re-optimized without involving the malfunctioning devices. If some of the controllable devices are unavailable for remote control, solution does not involve these devices but takes into account their reaction to changes in operating conditions.

Steps

VVC Function During Scheduled Run

#	Event	Name of Process/Activity	Description of Process/Activity	Information Producer	Information Receiver	Name of Info Exchanged	IntelliGrid Architecture Environments
3.1.1	Time for ADAVVCController scheduled run	Checking real-time data	DOMA function receives the scan of DMS SCADA data to be checked for changes in topology. It also receives the latest relevant analog data.	DMS SCADA database	DOMA function	DMS real-time analog, status & TLQ data, status of voltage controllers, DER modes of operation, and settings	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.1.2		Checking real-time data	DOMA function receives the scan of EnergyManagementSystem SCADA data to be checked for relevant changes or events.	EnergyManagementSystem SCADA database	DOMA function	EnergyManagementSystem real-time analog, status, TLQ data	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.1.3		VVC performs optimization according to current objective	The fact that no events and changes in connectivity are detected is communicated to ADAVVCController. ADAVVCController is triggered by the time schedule.	DOMA function	ADAVVCController	No events or changes in connectivity detected, command to start scheduled run	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.1.4		VVC performs optimization according to current objective	VVC receives the excerpts from ADA database.	ADADatabase	ADAVVCController	Excerpts from ADA database	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.1.5		VVC performs optimization according to current objective	Relevant results of VVC optimization are displayed for the SystemOperator.	ADAVVCController	SystemOperator	VVC status, present and recommended bus kV, benefits, expected lowest and highest load voltage	User Interface
3.1.6		VVC performs optimization according to current objective	Relevant results of VVC optimization are sent to controllers in the field.	ADAVVCController	DMS SCADA database	Recommended settings to relevant voltage and power electronic controllers, DER modes of operation and settings, capacitor status	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.1.7		VVC performs optimization according to current objective	Relevant results of VVC optimization are stored in ADA historic database.	ADAVVCController	ADAHistoricDatabase	VVC and LTC states and settings; VVC limits and benefits; losses, voltage, objective function and total demand before and after optimization, logs	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.1.8		Checking real-time data	DOMA function receives the scan of DMS SCADA data to be checked for changes in topology and confirmation of execution of VVC commands. It also provides the latest relevant analog data.	DMS SCADA database	DOMA function	DMS real-time analog, status & TLQ data, status of voltage controllers, confirmation of execution of VVC commands	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.1.9		Information for SystemOperator	SystemOperator’s display is regularly updated with data associated with LTC and VVC performance.	DMS SCADA database	ADAVVCController	VVC: status, integrity, settings, limits, bandcenter, objective; LTC: status, position; bus voltage limits	Intra-Control Center Environment

VVC Function During Event Run

#	Event	Name of Process/Activity	Description of Process/Activity	Information Producer	Information Receiver	Name of Info Exchanged	IntelliGrid Architecture Environments
3.2.1-1	ADAVVCController during event run	DOMA detects load voltage or overload violation	DOMA function detects load voltage or overload violation and initiates ADAVVCController.	DOMA function	ADAVVCController	Command to initiate VVC	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.2.1-11, 3.2.1-111, 3.2.1-1111		Checking real-time data	DOMA function checks the real-time data for changes, alarms.	DMS SCADA database	DOMA function	DMS real-time analog, status, TLQ data, confirmation of execution of VVC commands, status of voltage controllers	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.2.1-12, 3.2.1-112, 3.2.1-1112		Checking real-time data	DOMA function checks the real-time data for changes, alarms.	SCADA EnergyManagementSystem database	DOMA function	EnergyManagementSystem real-time analog, status, TLQ data	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.2.1.13		Changing current objective to load reduction within normal limits due to high energy price	DOMA function detects high-energy price and issues command to change VVC objective.	DOMA function	ADAVVCController	Command to change optimization objective	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.2.1.14		VVC performs optimization according to current objective	DOMA function issues command to initiate VVC.	DOMA function	ADAVVCController	Command to initiate VVC	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.2.2		VVC performs optimization according to current objective	ADAVVCController receives excerpt from ADA database updated with latest SCADA scan.	ADADatabase	ADAVVCController	ADA database excerpt	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.2.3		VVC performs optimization according to current objective	VVC issues information relevant for SystemOperator.	ADAVVCController	SystemOperator	VVC status, present and recommended bus kV, benefits, expected lowest and highest load voltages	User Interface
3.2.4		VVC performs optimization according to current objective	DMS SCADA database receives results of optimization.	ADAVVCController	DMS SCADA database	Recommended settings to relevant voltage and power electronic controllers, DER modes of operation and settings, capacitor status	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.2.5		VVC performs optimization according to current objective	Selected results are archived in ADAHistoricDatabase.	ADAVVCController	ADAHistoricDatabase	VVC and LTC states and settings; VVC limits and benefits; losses, voltage, objective function and total demand before and after optimization, logs	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.2.6		VVC performs optimization according to current objective	ADAVVCController initiates DOMA function after confirmation of execution is received.	ADAVVCController	DOMA function	Command to initiate DOMA	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.2.7		DOMA function performs analysis	DOMA function, after detecting a violation present during the after-optimization conditions, sends alarm to SystemOperator.	DOMA function	SystemOperator	Alarm for SystemOperator	User Interface
3.2.8		Prearming RAS function adjusts settings of relevant groups of load shedding	DOMA function, after detecting that optimization has not eliminated transmission violation, sends an alarm to the SystemOperator and triggers pre-arming of RAS.	DOMA function	Remedial Action Scheme, SystemOperator	Information for prearming Remedial Action Scheme	User Interface
3.2.9		Data for SystemOperator	Relevant for SystemOperator VVC and LTC settings, limits and statuses are displayed.	DMS SCADA database	SystemOperator	VVC: status, integrity, settings, limits, bandcenter, objective LTC: status, position	User Interface
3.3.1		VVC determines violation can not be eliminated through optimization	DOMA function detects load voltage or voltage violation.	DOMA function	ADAVVCController	Command to initiate VVC	Intra-Control Center Environment
3.3.2		VVC determines violation can not be eliminated through optimization	VVC receives excerpts from ADA database updated with latest SCADA scan.	ADADatabase	ADAVVCController	Excerpts from ADA database

Distribution Operations - Voltage and Var Control (VVC) Function

Contents

Narrative

Steps

VVC Function During Scheduled Run

VVC Function During Event Run