Increasing penetration of electric vehicles creates new challenges for distribution system operators. The power to charge the batteries should be delivered without violating any technical limits. Answers must be found to the following problems.

• Can the required charging power be delivered in the normal operation case?
• Is the extreme case (maximum load / minimum generation) still permissible?
• Are there regional bottlenecks caused by concentrated high charging power of electric vehicles?
• Is the grid reliability changing as a result of the new load situation?
• From which e-mobility penetration do problems arise?
• How can peak loads be avoided?

Why NEPLAN?

NEPLAN offers a solution to distribution system operators, network planning and strategic network development service providers and universities with the modules

• Load Flow Calculation
• Load Flow Time Simulation (time series) and
• Hosting Capacity.

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Renault Zoe ©  Manufacturer

Analysis of module hosting capacity – Different penetration levels of charging stations in a distribution network

Hosting Capacity for each feeder

NEPLAN greift die Marktbedürfnisse international etablierter Kunden auf und behält den Überblick über Änderungen von Standards und Markttrends, indem es Produktentwicklungen und projektspezifische Lösungen vorschlägt. Unsere kontinuierliche Zusammenarbeit mit Universitäten durch Forschungsprojekte und mit Gremien und Verbänden (FNN, VDE, ENTSO-E, CIGRE, CIRED) ermöglicht es uns, die Marktlücken zu schließen, sobald sie entstehen. Auf die neuen Herausforderungen antworten wir mit spezialisierten und kundenspezifischen NEPLAN Add-ons und Services.

NEPLAN bietet modulare Erweiterungen mit Funktionen, die projektspezifisch angepasst und freigeschaltet werden können. Prozesse können parametrisiert und automatisiert implementiert werden. Ein Bedienfeld mit Benutzeroberfläche für Administratoren erleichtert zudem das Einstellen von Parametern, die Zuordnung von Funktionen und Jobs zu Prozessen.

NEPLAN-Add-on CGMES

CGMES spezifiziert den Datenaustausch zwischen DSOs und vorgelagerten TSOs. NEPLAN hat dieses Add-On entwickelt, um dem Kunden eine automatische Lastflusszeitsimulation über den parametrierten Zeitraum (z.B. 3 Tage) zu ermöglichen. Es bietet eine automatische Konvertierung der Prognosedaten in das NEPLAN-Importformat für zeitabhängige Daten (Zeitreihen) und ermöglicht den zyklischen Import der Daten in NEPLAN. Nach Abschluss der Berechnung kann der Anwender das Datenmodell mit den Ergebnissen der Lastflusszeitsimulation nach CGMES-Format automatisch exportieren.

Das berechenbare Datenmodell steht in NEPLAN zur Verfügung und kann für diese Aufgaben genutzt werden, während die notwendigen Import- und Exportschnittstellen als Produktlösung zur Verfügung stehen. NEPLAN besitzt ein Gold-Zertifikat für CIM-basierte Exporte und das Fehlerpotenzial ist aufgrund der produktbasierten Lösung gering.

NEPLAN-Add-on Real Time Data

Realistische Analysen auf Basis von Echtzeit-Messwerten und Schaltzuständen sind ein Muss für moderne Energiesysteme. Wichtige Parameter sind die Analyse von Was-wäre-wenn-Szenarien, die Berücksichtigung von Referenztagen, die prädiktive Lastflussberechnung und die Lastflusszeitsimulation mit Messungen.

Dieses Add-On bietet Datenintegration mit Netzleitsystemen, Schnittstellen für den Import von Messwerten und Schaltzuständen und einfache Integration in die Netzleitstelle über Thin Client (Webbrowser). IT-Sicherheitsanforderungen werden durch den verschlüsselten Datenaustausch zwischen Netzleitsystem und NEPLAN berücksichtigt.

NEPLAN nutzt Synergien im Netzmanagement und in der Netzplanung durch ein gemeinsames Netzdatenmodell, während die Lastfluss-Zeitsimulation realistischer ist, indem statt standardisierter Lastprofile echte Messwertzeitreihen verwendet werden. Zusätzliche Analysemethoden und Entscheidungshilfen für das Netzwerkmanagement stehen ebenfalls zur Verfügung.

NEPLAN-Add-on Lastmodellierung

Grund für die Entwicklung dieses Add-ons war die Notwendigkeit der Anbindung an GIS, ergänzt durch Schnittstellen zu anderen Systemen wie SAP zur Lastmodellierung sowie die Modellierung von Lastszenarien und Betriebszuständen aus Betriebsdaten.

Das NEPLAN Add-On Load Modelling bietet die Generierung von Lastszenarien, die zu realistischeren Ergebnissen führen, die Verarbeitung verschiedener Quellen und die Anpassung der Berechnung durch Feinabstimmung der Parameter. Sie erhalten den Vorteil flexibler Dateiformate und individuell anpassbarer Lösungen an bestehende Datenquellen.

NEPLAN-Add-on Datenverwaltung

Die Forderung nach Schnittstellen zum GIS und nach inkrementeller Datenmodellaufbereitung sowie die Notwendigkeit der Optimierung des Datenmodells, der Erstellung von Strukturmerkmalen und der Reduzierung von Knoten führten zum Vorschlag des NEPLAN Add-On Data Management.

Mit diesem Add-On kann der Anwender ein berechenbares Netzwerkdatenmodell mit Strukturmerkmalen generieren und Netzwerkdatenmodelle optimieren. Initialer Datenimport und inkrementelle Datensynchronisation sind ebenso möglich wie die Optimierung größerer Netzwerke auf Performance. Schließlich gibt es die Möglichkeit von inkrementellen Datenmodelländerungen.

Taking up of market requirements of international established customers and staying on top of changes in standards and market trends, NEPLAN suggest product development and project specific solutions. Our continuous cooperation with universities through research projects and with committees and associations (FNN, VDE, ENTSO-E, CIGRE, CIRED) allows us to fill in the market gaps as soon as they are created. To the new challenges we reply with specialized and customer specific NEPLAN add-ons and services.

NEPLAN provides modular add-ons with functions that can be adapted and enabled in a project specific way. Processes can be parameterised and can be implemented in an automated way. Also, an operator panel with user interface for administrators facilitates setting of parameters, assignment of functions and jobs to processes.

NEPLAN add-on for CGMES 2.4.15 (based on IEC TS 61970)

CGMES specifies the data exchange between DSOs and upstream TSOs. NEPLAN created this add-on to let the customer carry out automatic load flow time simulation over the parameterised time period (e.g. 3 days). It offers automatic conversion of forecast data to NEPLAN import format for time-dependent data (time series) and lets the data be cyclically imported into NEPLAN. After completing the calculation, the user can automatically export the data model with the results of the load flow time simulation according to CGMES format.

Calculatable data model is available in NEPLAN and can be used for these tasks, while the necessary import and export interfaces are available as a product solution. NEPLAN holds a gold certificate for CIM-based exports and the error potential is low due to product-based solution.

NEPLAN add-on Real Time Data

Realistic analyses based on real-time measured values and switching states is a must for modern power systems. Important parameters include analysis of what-if scenarios, consideration of reference days, predictive load flow calculation and load flow time simulation with measurements.

This add-on offers data integration with network control systems, interfaces for the import of measured values and switching states and easy integration into the network control center via Thin Client (web browser). IT security requirements are considered through encrypted data exchange between network control system and NEPLAN.

NEPLAN makes use  of synergies in network management and network planning through a common network data model while the load flow time simulation is more realistic, using real measured value time series instead of standardized load profiles. Additional analysis methods and decision-making aids for network management are also available.

NEPLAN add-on Load Modelling

The motive for the development of this add-on was the need for interfacing to GIS supplemented by interfaces to other systems such as SAP for load modeling as well as the modelling of load scenarios and operating states from operational data.

NEPLAN add-on Load Modelling offers generation of load scenarios leading to more realistic outcomes, processing of different sources and adjustment of the calculation through fine tuning of parameters. You get the advantage of flexible file formats and individually adaptable solution to existing data sources.

NEPLAN add-on Data Management

The demand for interfacing to GIS and for incremental data model preparation, together with the need for optimization of the data model, the creation of structural characteristics and the reduction of nodes led to the proposal of the NEPLAN add-on Data Management.

With this add-on, the user can generate a computable network data model with structural features and optimize network data models. Initial data import and incremental data synchronization is possible, as well as the optimization of larger networks for performance. Finally, it gives the possibility of incremental data model changes.

The operation of a lean, supply-safe network is becoming increasingly important for grid operators. The importance of quantitative assessment of supply security is increasing. With ERIS (Evaluation of Reliability Index for Electric Systems), you receive an ideal tool for network planning and development as well as for the systematic determination and measurement of supply security during operation. ERIS helps to quantify the security of supply. ERIS can also be used to measure the impact of expansion and renewal investments.

ERIS gives security of supply a value that can be used for the targeted network and the renewal planning. ERIS is a non-uniform number between 0 and 120, whereby 120 corresponds to an ideal network. If a network variant has a value greater than 100, the security of supply is above average (overcrowded). Conversely, ERIS values below 80 require action. A value less than 60 is not permitted.

The ranges result from the set planning principles. This allows you to define your specific supply security requirements. Adjustable planning principles include, among other things, the maximum permissible line load or the targeted proportion of the switchgear systems that are better than (n-1) connected.

With ERIS you can:

• Measure the security of supply
• Recognize the need for action
• Compare variants
• Place loads depending on the expected development
• Define the time of renewals
• Prioritizing network expansion and renewal measures from a single source

The assessment is based on the three main categories of loading, topology and condition. This means that all network-relevant criteria for the evaluation of a network or subnetwork are taken into account.

PDMS is a browser-based management software that allows the user to create, modify and delete protection devices, manage existing protection libraries or add new ones and keep history of all changes in the master database.

Apart from parameters used for creating characteristics, PDMS also handles additional parameters that ensure the correct behavior of the protection devices in the field. All parameters can be imported from Excel lists or XML files and are accessible through dialogs.

Using a sophisticated user administration scheme, PDMS offers different types of accessibility to the master data base that contains the complete network model and all protection devices. Intranet users have direct access to PDMS database. Desktop users store their project in a local database with bidirectional communication with the PDMS database.

There are three type of users with access to the Protection Data Management System (PDMS):

• Users able to change the network model
• Users able to manage the protection device (adding, modifying, setting)
• Desktop Users or Intranet users able to perform power system analysis and relay settings as well as to update the master database

The complete network that is stored on the intranet server contains primary and secondary components, that means transmission network with all sub and power stations:

• All protection devices (over current, distance, differential, transformer, generator, etc.) with current and voltage transformers
• Controllers (AVR, PSS, governors, turbines, HVDC controllers, etc.)

The protection devices are accessible directly from the single line diagram or from a tree view list and they can be assigned the following data:

• Location related to the network model (sub station, voltage level, bay)
• Setting parameter, which are used for creating the tripping characteristic
• Additional parameters of the protection device
• Hyperlinks to protection manuals in PDF-format
• Hyperlinks to comtrade files

 
NEPLAN offers the following advantages:

• Management of any protection devices on the network plan in a multi-user environment
• Integrated adjustment and coordination of protection devices in meshed networks
• Predefined and user-defined protection device models and extensive protection device library
• Storage of any information such as files, manuals and test reports
• Protection coordination with selectivity diagram and tripping schedule
• Macro language for protection device modeling for dynamic analysis

Purpose of the Day – Ahead Congestion Forecast module (DACF) is to build UCTE files for different topology and loading network scenarios (cases). It can be used for importing UCTE files,  running load flows for every hour of the next day and storing the load flow results in UCTE format or as a NEPLAN project.

General Characteristics

• Import UCTE-formatted network data (own network, partner network data)
• Use of reference network data in case of missing partner files
• Check for errors and consistency of imported UCTE files
• Import topology and loading data for each hour of the next day
• Use of map files in order to export only certain HV nodes and lines from the detailed network model
• Easy handling as all information is stored in the project, so that the overhead of restarting DACF computation each day is minimal

Results

• Export UCTE-formatted data for own network for each hour of the next day. Each file corresponds to the load flow solution for the actual loading and topology state of that hour
• Create a network model (NEPLAN nepprj file) for each hour of the next day. The user can edit and work on each NEPLAN file directly

NEPLAN allows to import network data coming from different sources.

PSS/E Import

This module accepts input files with extension .raw, .seq or .dyr generated by Siemens PSS/E. These files contain all network data to perform load flow, short circuit and dynamic analysis.

ENTSO-E CIM CGMES (IEC 61970) Format

This module is able to import network data in CIM CGMES format. This format allows the data exchange for load flow, short circuit and dynamic analysis as well as single line diagrams and is used by the European TSO to exchange network data for Day Ahead Congestion Forecast. It will substitute the UCTE-format.

UCTE Format

This module is able to import network data in UCTE format. This format is used by the European TSO to exchange network data for Day Ahead Congestion Forecast.

XML format

This module allows to import the whole NEPLAN network model with schematic and geo-referenced diagrams in XML format. All calculations available in NEPLAN could be performed on the imported network model.

MATPOWER format

This function allows to import network models in MATPOWER format from MatLab.

Excel format

NEPLAN is able to import network data from an ASCII (Excel) file.

DINIS format

NEPLAN is able to import network models with the graphical representation from the power system analysis tool DINIS.

Other formats

NEPLAN is also able to import network models from CYME and Power Factory.

More information about import possibilities could be given on request.

NEPLAN has a strong support for geo-referenced data and visualization of maps.

Import of geo-referenced data from a geographical Information System (GIS)

NEPLAN has a customizable interface to import and update network data from GIS. The imported GIS data are checked on plausibility for network calculation and reported. The GIS network model could be simplified according to several criteria when imported to NEPLAN. In this way the network will be easier in NEPLAN. This interface is applicable not only for electrical networks, but for gas, water and heating networks too. The NEPLAN web services could be used to implement automatic data exchange with GIS.

We are able to offer you a customized solution, which fulfills best your requirements.

Google Maps

Every point in the geo-referenced diagrams of NEPLAN can be directly shown in Google maps by right-clicking it. The network model can be exported in KML format allowing to open it in Google Earth.

Visualization of maps

A wide range of maps, like road maps, cadaster plans or infrastructure maps could be displayed behind the geo-referenced network model. Basically any WMS compatible map server can be registered, both public ones and servers running inside the company. For further information please contact us.

Multi-Window system with map and sub-station

Visualisation of maps with violations in the network

Purpose of the Day – Ahead Congestion Forecast module (DACF) is to build UCTE files for different topology and loading network scenarios (cases). It can be used for importing UCTE files,  running load flows for every hour of the next day and storing the load flow results in UCTE format or as a NEPLAN project.

General Characteristics

• Import UCTE-formatted network data (own network, partner network data)
• Use of reference network data in case of missing partner files
• Check for errors and consistency of imported UCTE files
• Import topology and loading data for each hour of the next day
• Use of map files in order to export only certain HV nodes and lines from the detailed network model
• Easy handling as all information is stored in the project, so that the overhead of restarting DACF computation each day is minimal

Results

• Export UCTE-formatted data for own network for each hour of the next day. Each file corresponds to the load flow solution for the actual loading and topology state of that hour
• Create a network model (NEPLAN nepprj file) for each hour of the next day. The user can edit and work on each NEPLAN file directly

NEPLAN offers an efficient Library Manager that provides extensive libraries for elements of any type while it allows the user to create complementary customized libraries. The comprehensive Library Manager is fully integrated. When inserting network data, the data in the library can be accessed. Furthermore, the data inserted in the network can be exported to the library.

Library Manager provides more than 16’000 embedded library items for practically any element:

• Libraries covering various Standards like IEC, IEEE, ANSI, etc.
• Libraries for all elements
  • Primary elements, such as cables and lines
  • Electrical machines, such as synchronous and asynchronous machines, transformers, motor characteristics
  • Protection elements, such as elements for distance protection and overcurrent relays from various manufacturers (e.g. ABB, SEL, Siemens, Westinghouse, etc.)
  • Fuses from various manufacturers
• Standard Controllers for Dynamic Simulation EMT and RMS
  • All controllers defined in the ENTSO-E CIM standard IEC 61970 for exciters, turbines, PSS, etc.
  • All wind turbine models according to IEC 61400-27-1 (type 1, Type 3, type 3 and type 4)
  • Models for renewables (e.g. batteries)
  • Controller models for Exciter, Discountinous Excitation, Turbine, Governor, Power System Stabilizer, Under Excitation Limiter, Over Excitation Limiter, Power Factor and VAR, Voltage and Load Compensation, Stator Current Limiter, DFIG, Direct Drive Synchronous Generator , Photovoltaic, SVC and STATCOM, Thyristor-Controlled Series Compensator (TCSC), HVDC, Transformer Tap (see a selection here)
• Load Profile Characteristics, Day Profiles, VDEW Profiles
• Frequency Dependencies for Harmonic Analysis
• Harmonic Sources (e.g. 6-, 12-, 24-pulse converters)
• Harmonic voltage and current levels according to IEC, VDE, IEEE (e.g. IEC 61000-2-4)
• Investment Data Items for economic calculations

General Characteristics

• All network data can be updated with changed library data
• The data can be entered through excel like table sheets
• Import/export to MS-Excel with drag and drop
• Part of diagrams with all technical data can be stored in the library (e.g. used for IEEE control circuits)