A Utility Transmission System RAS That Uses Systemwide Measurements to Detect Generation Loss

The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation utility (KAHRAMAA) imports power from multiple independent power producers (IPPs). The KAHRAMAA system connects via two 400 kV tie lines to the transmission network operated by the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) that interconnects the power systems of six GCC countries. Power system studies performed by GCCIA in
2020 and 2021 showed that the loss of generation in the KAHRAMAA power system caused tripping of both tie lines and separation of the KAHRAMAA power system from the GCCIA network. The authors describe the remedial action scheme (RAS) designed to detect generation loss and perform countrywide adaptive load shedding when required. In this project, we had no access to local generator measurements and breaker status information. We implemented a loss-of-generation detection logic based on wide-area measurements. We also describe the cybersecure communications network developed applying software-defined networking (SDN) technology. Finally, we report the results of the RAS factory acceptance testing using a hardware-in-the-loop environment based on real-time digital simulators.