Operational Support

During the operation of an HVDC link, the HVDC Centre can support the management of alarms and faults, to help reduce system downtime:

  • On request from the operations team, when a fault does occur, replicas/models can be used to diagnose the fault and prove solutions to speed up a return to service;
  • Replicas/models can be used to demonstrate, train and diagnose alarms; and
  • The Centre can assist with the review of operational experience of the control and protection system.

 

During the ongoing operation of an HVDC link, the HVDC Centre can provide a range of ongoing training:

  • Replicas/models can been used to train those involved in the Operation of the HVDC link; and
  • Supporting planned maintenance outages through rehearsing maintenance procedures to streamline on-site activity.

 

During the ongoing operation of an HVDC link, the HVDC Centre can support and de-risk the future planning and development of the scheme and surrounding network:

  • Any proposed changes to the control hardware or software of the HVDC link can be tested in a safe environment using Replicas;
  • Where multi-terminal extensions are planned; the Centre can perform ‘Factory System Testing’ of the additional terminal’s controls, in conjunction with the replicas/models for the other terminals;
  • The surrounding electricity network will continue to be developed; by having accurate replicas/models the interactions between the HVDC scheme and the wider network can be checked as developments are planned;
  • Where new HVDC schemes are planned in electric proximity to an existing link; the Centre can perform detailed interaction studies, to anticipate any adverse control interactions;
  • Replicas provide the asset owner with a long term reliable and accurate representation of their HVDC link; which is independent of the supplier, and simulation software;
  • The Centre can provide a range of support to Transmission Planning teams; and
  • Optimisation, working across the different teams in trialling the use of control modifications to aid in the reliability of the network and/or added capabilities of the link (such as introduction of Emergency Fast Frequency Response).