How can you respond to power system disturbances?
Power system disturbances are events that affect the normal operation of the electricity grid, such as faults, outages, fluctuations, or cyberattacks. They can cause damage to equipment, loss of service, instability, or even blackouts. As an energy manager, you need to know how to respond to these situations and minimize their impacts on your facility and customers. In this article, we will cover some of the basic steps and strategies that you can use to deal with power system disturbances.
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Dr. Roger AchkarGeneral Manager at an Energy Service Company • Founder of the World's Largest Environmental and Energy Network •…
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Ralph Rodriguez, LEED AP OM𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 | 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 | 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆…
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Robin LucidarmeEntrepreneur | B2B Sales Enthusiast | Finance Enthusiast | Sustainability
The first step in responding to a power system disturbance is to identify the source and location of the problem. This can be done by using sensors, meters, monitors, or alarms that provide real-time data on the voltage, frequency, current, and power quality of the grid. You can also communicate with your utility or grid operator to get more information on the status and extent of the disturbance. By identifying the source, you can determine the type and severity of the disturbance and the appropriate actions to take.
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Dr. Roger Achkar
General Manager at an Energy Service Company • Founder of the World's Largest Environmental and Energy Network • Sustainability, Energy and Environmental Awards Judge
Understanding the severity of power system disturbances is vital. Let’s break it down: (1) Transient Disturbances: These are brief disruptions that often resolve on their own. Think of them as passing glitches—like a hiccup in the system. (2) Sustained Disturbances: These last longer and need attention. They might be caused by faults or equipment failures. (3) Critical Disturbances: These are serious threats. They jeopardize system stability and safety. Imagine a major storm knocking out power across a city. Severity assessment guides operators toward the right actions.
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Ralph Rodriguez, LEED AP OM
𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 | 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 | 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 | 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝗶𝘂 𝗝𝗶𝘁𝘀𝘂 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝘁
Real-time data on critical parameters like voltage, frequency, current, and power quality provides granular data that not only enables swift anomaly detection but also facilitates informed decision-making regarding the nature and severity of the disruption. Communication with utility providers or grid operators enhances situational awareness, but I would caution you against not having a balanced approach. Do not rely on the utility alone. While I am not saying that this is true in every instance, arm yourself with comprehensive data as it could potentially point to them as the culprit. The meticulous identification of the disturbance source can mitigate risk and also lay the groundwork for resilient and responsive power infrastructure.
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Shlomo Werner
Providing the tools and systems for growing your business online
I am far from being an expert, but tothe ebst of my knowledge, microgrids can be extremely useful for controlling the frequency of downtime and rebounding A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. It can connect and disconnect from the grid to operate in grid-connected or island mode. Microgrids can improve customer reliability and resilience to grid disturbances.
The next step is to isolate the affected area from the rest of the grid to prevent the disturbance from spreading or worsening. This can be done by opening or closing circuit breakers, switches, or relays that control the flow of electricity. You can also use protection devices, such as fuses, surge arresters, or relays, that automatically disconnect the affected area when a fault or abnormal condition is detected. By isolating the affected area, you can protect your equipment and customers from further damage or disruption.
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Robin Lucidarme
Entrepreneur | B2B Sales Enthusiast | Finance Enthusiast | Sustainability
In complex buildings and this can be very challenging. That's why it's essential to have a smart building. With sub metering, building automation you have a better overview of the complete situation. Once you have this in place you can use automated messages, reports to isolate but more importantly understand why this is happening. With the data and knowledge you can prevent this situation in the future.
The third step is to restore the service to the affected area as soon as possible. This can be done by repairing or replacing the damaged components, clearing the faults, or reconnecting the isolated area to the grid. You can also use backup generators, batteries, or renewable energy sources to provide temporary or alternative power supply to the affected area. You can also adjust your load or demand response programs to reduce your electricity consumption and support the grid recovery. By restoring the service, you can resume your normal operations and satisfy your customers' needs.
The fourth step is to analyze the impact of the power system disturbance on your facility and customers. This can be done by measuring and recording the duration, frequency, and magnitude of the disturbance and its effects on your voltage, frequency, current, and power quality. You can also collect and review feedback from your customers, staff, or stakeholders on their experiences and satisfaction during and after the disturbance. By analyzing the impact, you can evaluate your performance and identify areas for improvement.
The fifth step is to implement the mitigation measures that can prevent or reduce the likelihood and consequences of future power system disturbances. This can be done by upgrading or maintaining your equipment, installing or enhancing your protection devices, diversifying or increasing your power sources, or participating in demand response or energy efficiency programs. You can also develop or update your contingency plans, emergency procedures, or training programs to prepare for and respond to different types of disturbances. By implementing the mitigation, you can improve your resilience and reliability and reduce your risks and costs.
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Thomas Houdbert
Entrepreneur at CentraleSupelec school of Engineering 🚀💡
France is leveraging demand response (DR) to enhance grid stability as it shifts towards renewable energy. The growing importance of DR, evidenced by the rising value of its services, highlights its role in balancing the grid against renewable intermittency. France's integration of demand-side resources into its energy strategy marks a significant move towards energy efficiency and grid resilience, underscoring the essential role of demand flexibility in the energy transition.
The sixth and final step is to learn from the experience and share your knowledge and best practices with others. This can be done by documenting and reporting the causes, effects, and actions of the power system disturbance and the lessons learned and recommendations for improvement. You can also collaborate and communicate with your utility, grid operator, or other energy managers to exchange information, insights, and solutions on how to deal with power system disturbances. By learning from the experience, you can enhance your skills and competencies and contribute to the overall improvement of the power system.
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