MIPSYCON - November 8, 2022

Moderator: Bethlyn Cummings
Co-Moderators: Greg Schutte, Steve Mohs

1:00–1:45 p.m.

How Well Is Your Breaker Performing? Things Your Protective Relaying Cannot Tell You

Chris Rutledge, Dynamic Ratings

Circuit breakers perform a critical role in providing protection against through faults. Faults place a large amount of stress on transformers as well as the overall infrastructure of the electrical grid. Due to the negative impact that even minor misoperations can have on system reliability and the resulting premature aging of associated transformers, it is of the utmost importance that breaker performance be constantly maintained.

1:45–2:30 p.m.

Introduction to Ni-Cd Batteries

John Mobley, Alcad Battery

Explore the different types of Ni-Cd batteries and the best applications to apply them. A short discussion on sizing batteries as well.

2:30–3:00 p.m.

Break

3:00–3:45 p.m.

Findings of Substation Testing and Commissioning Activities

Dave Krause, Electric Power Systems Inc.

This presentation will highlight the findings of various testing and commissioning activities including equipment, design and installation issues. This validates the need for testing and commissioning prior to energization and routine maintenance.

3:45–4:30 p.m.

High-Impedance Ground Grids: Challenges & Solutions for Safe Grounding Network Design

Josh Hill, Black & Veatch; Derek Snyder, Minnesota Power

Grounding system safety may be achieved through a network view of the system and non-copper mitigation methods for sites with highly resistive soils where conventional grounding mitigation methods are not sufficient.

Moderator: Mike Crane
Co-Moderators: Tom Guttormson, Greg Owen

1:00–1:45 p.m.

From kWh to kW – Bringing Demand into Focus

Greg Owen, Capital Electric Cooperative; Steven Fenrick, Clearspring Energy Advisors

From revenue requirements to AMI enhancements, data analytics to member engagement, this presentation describes Capital Electric Cooperative's journey to implement a demand component to residential rate options.

1:45–2:30 p.m.

Distributed Intelligence – Many Applications for High Impedance

Tim Driscol, Mel Gehrs, ITRON

The Itron high impedance agent has been very successful in accurately identifying service drop issues including poor “crimp” connections, meter jaw socket issues and even dissimilar metal (CU & AL) coupling problems. However, recent research indicates that the impedance readings can be used to gain additional insight into the topology of the grid including wire size/gauge, transformer impedance and even excessive distances between the transformer and the premise. Armed with this information, planning engineers can be better prepared to meet the challenges of the future including EV and PV grid readiness.

2:30–3:00 p.m.

Break

3:00–3:45 p.m.

Cellular Technology Evolution Impacting Metering

Kenny O’Dell, Honeywell Smart Energy

Most utilities have experience with cellular technology solutions for commercial metering solutions. The evolution of cellular technology is providing opportunities for expanding metering solutions beyond commercial and industrial applications.

3:45–4:30 p.m.

It’s Time to Meet BOB

Dan Nordell, Xcel Energy

Several years ago Xcel Energy was asked to create a tool for the SWEMA meter school for training meter technicians to troubleshoot polyphase meter installations. The tool, nicknamed "BOB," has not only evolved into a powerful training tool but also has proven very useful in laboratory testing of new solid-state meters to subject them to unusual situations. It also has a scripting feature to allow simulation of any desired customer load profiles. BOB supports independent specification of each phase voltage and current magnitudes and phase angles as well as waveshape and harmonic content and load profiles over time.

Moderator: Mike Marz
Co-Moderators: Kerby Nestor, Dan Sargeant

1:00–1:45 p.m.

Unlocking the value of AI-Powered Virtual Inspections at Xcel Energy

Brian Long, Xcel Energy; Marc Whalen, eSmart Systems; Paul Peterson, EDM

Utilities are seeking to leverage emerging digital methods to optimize inspections and ensure maintenance is focused on improving asset reliability and resiliency. In this session participants will hear about Xcel Energy’s image-based virtual inventorying and inspection practices and the evolution of machine learning and Collaborative-AI.

1:45–2:30 p.m.

Lessons Learned on Underground Cable Installation

Ron Knapwurst Sr., HDR Inc.

This presentation will cover lessons learned in the underground cable industry that you may want to consider in future projects. It will focus on varied XLPE and EPR cable design, installation, and maintenance situations.

2:30–3:00 p.m.

Break

3:00–3:45 p.m.

Colorado's Power Pathway – Transmission to Enable Xcel Energy's 80x2030 Clean Energy Plan

Hari Singh, Xcel Energy

What were Xcel Energy’s transmission expansion planning considerations to enable the resource-mix transformation in Colorado’s Clean Energy Plan? What technologies are being evaluated to provide increased flexibility needed in future system operations?

3:45–4:30 p.m.

MISO’s Long Range Transmission Plan (LRTP)

Jarred Miland, Midcontinent Independent System Operator

MISO’s LRTP initiative assesses reliability risks looking into the future to identify the transmission investments needed to enable regional delivery of energy. MISO proposes an initial portfolio of eighteen transmission projects, equaling approximately $10 billion of investment, to enhance connectivity and maintain adequate reliability for the Midwest region by 2030 and beyond.

Moderator: Dave Bisel
Co-Moderators: Douglas Brown, Emily Riggs

1:00–1:45 p.m.

Microgrid Protection and Relaying: A Case Study

Mahmoud Kabalan, University of St. Thomas; Carissa Cavalieri, Xcel Energy

This presentation covers a microgrid protection case study using the University of St Thomas UST microgrid. The talk goes over fault current analysis and implementation of a relay protection scheme.

1:45–2:30 p.m.

Evaluating Phasor-Based and Time-Domain Elements for Short Line Applications

Donald Fentie, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

This presentation examines the performance of traditional and ultra-high-speed elements on short line applications. It compares the sensitivity and speed of step distance elements, pilot schemes, and line current differential schemes. The presentation also evaluates the performance of time-domain elements in weak systems and the effect of traveling-wave reflections on traveling-wave elements for faults on extremely short lines. Electromagnetic Transients Program simulations are performed on a test system, and the results are played back on traveling-wave relays to evaluate performance.

2:30–3:00 p.m.

Break

3:00–3:45 p.m.

Line Current Measurement at Dual-Breaker Terminals: Challenges and Solutions

Swagata Das, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

This presentation explains how the line current direction in dual-breaker applications may become compromised during a reverse fault. It describes how this incorrect direction can impact the security of instantaneous protection elements that are set sensitively in the forward direction. This presentation presents criteria to help protection engineers identify if a relay is at risk in a given line application. It also shares a real-world event where an incorrect current direction in a dual-breaker application caused a line relay to incorrectly operate for a reverse bus fault. Finally, the presentation discusses solutions to improve the security of single- and dual-current input relays when these relays are applied on dual-breaker applications.

3:45–4:30 p.m.

Transmission Line Setting Calculations – Beyond the Cookbook, Part II

Daniel Heidfeld, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

The original presentation “Transmission Line Setting Calculations – Beyond the Cookbook” provides a practical guide to setting transmission line relays and explains why certain forms of protection are applied and how to identify scenarios when an engineer must go beyond cookbook setting guidance to create good line relay settings. It is primarily intended to benefit engineers who are inexperienced or out-of-practice with line relay settings; however, the topic of transmission line setting calculations is broad, and many significant forms of line protection were not discussed in detail. This presentation provides a sequel and continues to discuss the challenges encountered when creating line relay setting calculations and how to apply practical solutions outside of cookbook guidelines. Part II expands on subjects briefly mentioned in the original presentation.