Research Status & Deliverables

Technology Assessment of Process Bus Solutions:

Description: Conduct independent laboratory testing and functional assessment of state-of-the-art process bus technologies and commercially available solutions to support members in developing new P&C designs and accelerating field deployment.

Status Update:

• Purpose-built testbed systems at EPRI P&C lab have been developed for evaluating process bus technologies based on IEC 61850-9-2LE profile, IEC 61869-9 standard, as well as proprietary solutions.

• Conducted extensive lab tests to evaluate new Protection and Control designs using various process bus technologies.

• Lab testing has revealed certain circumstances that could potentially impact protection availability.

• The test results and research findings have been presented to EPRI P&C task force members through webcasts and in-person meetings.

• A hands-on technology transfer workshop has been planned on Oct 29 to 30, 2024 at EPRI P&C lab for members to review the test results and learn the research findings.

Test Relay Performance under Stable Power Swings:

Description: Simulate power swing dynamics and conduct independent laboratory testing of power swing blocking functions in commercially available relaying products to prevent protective relay misoperation during power swings and support members in meeting the regulatory requirements.

Status Update:

• A purpose-built testbed system has been developed using RTDS (real-time digital simulator); and power swing dynamics have been simulated to create the waveforms for protective relay testing.

• Conducted extensive lab testing on the state-of-the-art relaying technologies to evaluate the actual performance of power swing blocking functions during stable power swings in fault or non-fault conditions.

• Hosted a technology transfer webcast in July for EPRI P&C task force members, provided an in-depth review of the lab testing results, and shared the key research findings.