Refase Circuit Protection

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Scottish and Southern Energy plc

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 June 2019

31 March 2022

ENA months

£388,361

Power

Scotland

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Scottish and Southern Energy plc

This is a technical method which will evaluate the viability of Synaptecs Refase solution. This solution is based on the current differential protection principle but avoids duplication of substation equipment as is the case with the conventional.Refase allows measured values from up to 50 current transformers to be acquired passively using a single optical fibre core over a distance of up to 50 km. These measured values can then be utilised as part of centralised protection and control (PAC) schemes or communicated to traditional PAC devices for analysis via IEC 61850-9-2 / 61869-9, a standard defining communication protocols for intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in electrical power systems. By centralising current measurements, this method negates the need for multiple protection relays, complex time synchronisation systems at measurement points, and telecommunications equipment among the distributed PAC devices. The measurement system will output sampled value streams locally to protection relays supplied by major vendors which will deploy suitable conventional protection algorithms. Implementation of the method will involve a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of the Refase system in laboratory environment witnessed by SHE Transmission. Upon successful completion, the Refase system will be integrated into a Process Bus Architecture at SHE Transmissions Braco R&D Center and will be subject to Site Acceptance Testing (SAT). Following successful testing at Braco, the Refase system will be installed on a live 132kV circuit for operational testing and will shadow the existing protection scheme. The system will be monitored during the operational testing and the data gathered will be assessed by the relevant teams. An evaluation will be completed at the end of the trials; with recommendations of the systems suitability for transfer to business as usual. The scope of this project is to conduct a series of tests, including field trials, to benchmark the performance of the Refase system against existing protection methods. An evaluation will establish if the Refase system is a viable solution to the problem statement. The objectives of the project are:To have fully tested and undertaken a FAT at Synaptecs laboratory.To have completed a SAT at Braco R&D substation and approved Refase for use in live trials.To install Refase on a live 132kV circuit and benchmark the performance against existing protection methods.To have gained an understanding of the systems suitability for business as usual adoption including a comprehensive business case and benefits realisation plan

The scope of this project is to conduct a series of tests, including field trials, to benchmark the performance of the Refase system against existing protection methods. An evaluation will establish if the Refase system is a viable solution to the problem statement detailed within the PEA document.

14/12/22