Ongoing research and activities in Protection and Control task force

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:
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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.
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Conducted extensive lab tests to evaluate new Protection and Control designs using various process bus technologies.
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Lab testing has revealed certain circumstances that could potentially impact protection availability.
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The test results and research findings have been presented to EPRI P&C task force members through webcasts and in-person meetings.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
Engagement Opportunities
Meeting | Date | Location | Information |
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EPRI Kick Off Webcast: P37.103 Protection & Control | February 8 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Materials |
Protection & Control/ TO&P Annual Task Force Workshops | May 21 - 24 | Charlotte, NC | |
Substations 2025 ARP Rollout #1 | June 25 10:00 am - 11:30 am ET |
Webcast | Meeting Materials |
EPRI R&D Project Update: P37.103 Protection & Control R&D Update | July 18 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Materials |
Substations 2025 ARP Rollout #2 | August 6 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Materials |
EPRI Substations (Program 37) New Supplemental Launch Webcast | October 10, 1:00pm - 2:00pm ET | Webcast | Meeting Materials |
EPRI Joint Fall Task Force Meeting and Technology Transfer Workshop (P37.103, P39, P183) | October 29 - 30 | Workshop | Meeting Materials |
EPRI End of Year Webcast: P37.103 Protection & Control | December 12 1:30 - 3:00 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Materials |
EPRI Kick Off Webcast: Protection and Control (37.103) | February 6, 1:30pm - 2:30pm ET | Webcast | Webcast Information |
Protection & Control Task Force - March 2025 | March 10-13 (In-person)/ March 17-20 (Virtual) | Charlotte, NC | Register Here |
Anticipated 2025 Deliverables
Deliverable | Description | Date |
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Life Cycle Management of Relay Settings: Configuration Management Guidelines and Effective Practices (2025 update) | Provides research on effective relay-setting management processes by applying the configuration management guiding principles. | December 2025 |
Application Guide for Relay Firmware Change Management (2025 update) | Documents effective methods for evaluation, impact analysis, testing, and implementation of relay firmware revisions. | December 2025 |
Life-Cycle Management of Relay Settings: Tools Assessment (2025 update) | Documents the research findings in evaluation of commercially available relay-setting management tools. | December 2025 |
Application Guidelines for Protection System Maintenance (2025 update) | Explores new self-monitoring technologies for advancing condition-based protection system maintenance programs. | December 2025 |
Evaluation of Protective Relay Performance Under Power Swings: Lab Testing and Research Findings (2025 update) | Describes lab testing to evaluate the performance of protective relays to reduce the risk of protection system misoperation in response to power swings. | December 2025 |
Technology Transfer Workshop: IEC 61850 Standard and New P&C Designs (workshop) | Provides knowledge preparation, project experience sharing, and hands-on lessons from emerging P&C technologies. | December 2025 |
2024 Deliverables
Number | Name |
Type |
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3002029891 | Technology Assessment of Process Bus Solutions: Lab Testing and Research Update |
Technical Update |
3002029893 | Evaluation of Protective Relay Performance under Power Swings: Lab Testing and Research Findings |
Technical Update |
N/A | Technology Transfer Workshop – IEC 61850 Standard and New P&C Designs |
Workshop |