EGL Grid AG

 The Swiss grid operator EGL Grid AG owns a 380/220 kV high-voltage grid which covers large areas of Switzerland and also includes transnational connections with the neighbouring countries’ power grids. In addition, EGL Grid AG – by order of EGL (Elektrizitätsgesellschaft Laufenburg, a Swiss energy trader) - operates distribution networks connected to the high-voltage grid, mainly at locations where EGL holds shares in power plants. One of the most important nodes in the European power grid is thus located in Laufenburg. EGL Grid AG is in charge of controlling the power plant’s output, grid monitoring, the balancing of operation schedules for the energy business and for energy billing, as well as the operation of proprietary distribution networks in some areas.

In autumn 2007, IDS received the order for the installation of the new power plant and SCADA system IDS HIGH-LEIT XW (Fig. 1: Overview of the Swiss power grid); this system has been fully operational since the end of 2008. 2009 will see the second installation stage, the commissioning and engineering of the grid security calculation function and the modernisation and conversion of further switchbays for data transfer via the IEC 61850 protocol.

The redundant IDS HIGH-LEIT XW SCADA system is based on the current release 5.3 which uses state-of-the-art PC technology, including two dual-core processors, under SUN-Solaris 10. The SCADA system is rounded off by a terminal server for staff on call duty  and for energy trading, an off-line data processing computer, an – also redundant – TASE.2 server for access to the PIA grid, as well as several desktop MMIs.
 

In cooperation with Fischer-Meile Engineering AG from Wil/CH, IDS undertook the standardisation and typification of ca. 18,000 information elements from various sources.  This method facilitated the object-oriented creation of information elements in HIGH-LEIT and was considerably less time-consuming than the creation of information elements by conventional means, i.e. a complete system update could be performed within only 12 months. About 150 substations and 20 power stations (cf. Fig. 2: Switchgear station at Stalden)  from all over Switzerland and the neighbouring countries will be connected to the new power plant control and SCADA system via telemetry. 

Ca. 75% of the system data are acquired by TASE.2 via PIA server. Additionally, the system includes 18 new IDS RTUs of different types, as well as seven already existing RTUs and four interfaces with regional SCADA systems. Communication takes place via protocols IEC 60870-5-101 and -104, IEC 61850 and the third-party protocol TG809.

Another notable feature is the connection of converted switchgear bays in the outdoor switching substation at Laufenburg via IEC 61850. The protection philosophy for 380 kV switchgear demands the integration of a back-up protection to be provided by two suppliers, independently of each other. This means that IDS had to set up interfaces both with ABB and Siemens-IEC 61850 users. During the integration of these bays, the team from IDS was exceedingly pressed for time; due to the importance of the Laufenburg node, the works had to be carried out with the utmost possible speed.

 

The control priority management feature of the IDS telecontrol node at Laufenburg (cf. Fig. 4.: 220 kV busbar / outdoor substation at Laufenburg) controls the interfaces to the SCADA systems at NOK, to the local substation automation system of the outdoor substation at Laufenburg and to the power station control and SCADA system IDS HIGH-LEIT XS owned by EGL Grid. At the same time, it ensures the provision of all the necessary process data to the users connected to the system.