The KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence at the University of Cyprus (UCY) coordinates a new research project titled “GridGnosis: Real Time Monitoring of Power Systems for Enhanced Stability”, which aims to develop a holistic monitoring and protection solution to enhance the resilience, integrity, and security of the power systems.
The University of Cyprus says in a press release on Thursday that the project is funded by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) of Cyprus through the Recovery and Resilience Facility of the EU.
The GridGnosis project, it adds, “aims to develop a holistic monitoring and protection solution to enhance the resilience, integrity, and security of the power systems.”
It is noted that real-time and accurate monitoring of grid operating conditions as well as variable parameters such as system inertia and transmission line parameters, plays a crucial role in ensuring the security and reliability of power systems. ‘’This information not only enhances the situational awareness of the power system operators but also ensures the resilience and stability of the grid by enabling remote adjustments to protection schemes,’’ the press release adds.
Furthermore, timely information about the type and location of faults in the power system is of paramount importance for swift grid restoration. Such monitoring and protection functionalities are becoming more vital in modern power systems that are prone to large disturbances due to their operation close to their physical limits and the high penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), that decrease the inertia of the power system.
GridGnosis Platform
To overcome these challenges, the GridGnosis project will develop a platform that integrates innovative monitoring methodologies for accurately estimating (1) the system states, (2) the line parameters, and (3) the system inertia, the press release says.
“The platform will also incorporate adaptive protection and coordination schemes for enhancing the reliability of line distance, and underfrequency protection relays. In addition, fault diagnosis schemes will be developed, enabling automatic localization and classification of short circuit faults, for rapid grid restoration,” it is added.
According to the press release, all the methodologies within the GridGnosis platform will be based on measurements from Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) installed in the Cyprus transmission system. To ensure the platform’s effectiveness, its functionalities will be validated and demonstrated in an operational environment using real time PMU measurements from the Cyprus power system. The KIOS CoE will lead the development of PMU-based methodologies and play a crucial role in integrating these methodologies into the GridGnosis platform.
“GridGnosis results will address directly the current and future challenges faced by the power system operators. The application of the GridGnosis platform to the Cyprus power system will enhance system stability and will promote the unintermittent energy supply to the end users which directly impact the economic sustainability of the Cypriot citizens,” the press release notes.
Moreover, the project solution will enable higher RES penetration in a reliable manner resulting in less air pollution due to the decrease of carbon dioxide emissions, bringing positive socio-economic side effects to the quality of life in Cyprus.
For the project implementation, the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence at the University of Cyprus will collaborate with Electricity Authority of Cyprus and the Cypriot Small Medium Enterprise H. Wise Wire Energy Solutions Ltd.
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Source: CNA
