Group approach to dynamic security assessment

The gradual phase-out of coal and nuclear power, the increase in electricity transmission distances and new power electronics equipment are leading to a change in the dynamic behaviour of the grid. Established methods for analysing the security in system operations need to evolve towards new Dynamic Security Assessment (DSA) approaches. Within this context, an interesting synergy has been identified at Group level for the implementation of the “DSA WOPLA” project.

Dynamic Security Assessment, or DSA, involves the implementation of new tools and processes to assess the stability of the grid so that it can be operated safely – now and in the future. DSA initiatives already existed at both Elia and 50Hertz, albeit at different stages. 50Hertz needed to implement a new DSA process on a weekly basis, the WOPLA (Weekly Outage Planning) DSA process. As this process was already well established at Elia around the PowerFactory calculation engine 50Hertz was considering to use, it was proposed to 50Hertz that they re-use an existing part of this solution.

A project supported by IT Group is currently underway to prepare the adaptation and deployment of this solution at 50Hertz.

“The approach consists of re-using an existing configurable Elia tool, PowerFactoryRunner, and adapting it to the specific needs of 50Hertz System Operation. To facilitate the introduction of this process at 50Hertz, a target architecture was defined by Group ADM Architecture & Support, in close collaboration with the business and IT experts. The departments involved at 50Hertz are System Operations (MD, MK, and MO) as well as PSOS, EGI and ADM (IT – Elia Group).

In 2022, a Python-based prototype was developed by the project’s business experts. Using this work and the experience gained by the team as a starting point, the phase of creating the industrial tool for the WOPLA DSA process began in February 2023. The Agile Scrum methodology is being followed for this project, with the particularity that the product owner is based at 50Hertz, while the majority of the development team is based in Belgium. This joint approach will reduce Elia Group’s overall effort in deploying DSA tools and processes. By leveraging and adapting existing IT components, overall costs will be lower than setting up parallel structures on either side.”

“The Agile Scrum methodology is being followed for this project, with the particularity that the product owner is based at 50Hertz, while the majority of the development team is based in Belgium.”

“I’m in charge of the IT team (Netcalc) that manages all the industrial developments and applications that use PowerFactory as a calculation engine. Elia also uses this tool for many of its grid calculation processes. My team and I were very keen to share our expertise with mission-critical applications using PowerFactory as a calculation engine, and our experience with Agile methodologies.

Although a few challenges were identified at the outset of the project (collaboration between the two entities, different working methods, technical differences between the IT landscape and the data centres of Elia and 50Hertz, etc.), we managed to find pragmatic solutions for most of them. Several teams were involved in the project and provided us with very constructive support (Infrastructure, Datacom & Security; Lean & Agile Office; Centre of Excellence for UX Design; MCCS, etc.).”

“This project was also an opportunity to work more closely with our counterparts at 50Hertz (DAH-R) and to harmonise our understanding of each other’s processes and technical landscapes.”

Christoph: “At the start of a Group collaboration, alignments can take longer. In this case, we first had to synchronise our work philosophy and business language. Nevertheless, we were able to keep an open and impartial mind and manage the language barrier. The result has been effective collaboration within the Group, which has been enriching for both parties.”

Robert : “Generally speaking, it’s always a very rewarding experience to work with a completely different business team. Our colleagues at 50Hertz were very open and willing when we suggested applying the methodologies used at ADM. From an IT point of view, this project was also an opportunity to work more closely with our counterparts at 50Hertz (DAH-R) and to harmonise our understanding of each other’s processes and technical landscapes. It was the first time we had the opportunity to really work as an Elia Group team.”

Christoph: “The implementation of the weekly DSA process at 50Hertz is scheduled for the end of this year. The approach for the weekly DSA process could become a reference for other DSA processes: we could exploit the synergy between Elia and 50Hertz to a greater extent and perhaps even create links with the MCCS programme.”

Robert: “On the basis of an honest assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of this type of collaboration, other paths can already be mapped out. One step we’ll be taking in the near future will be to compare the needs and desirability of gearing the DSA more towards operational planning and real-time operations. This project will also give us the opportunity to continue developing our PowerFactoryRunner product.”