Siemens PTI First Annual Regional Open House Siemens Power Technologies International (Siemens PTI), a provider of network consulting, software technologies and T&D training, has expanded in order to serve our US customers better. We have moved our headquarters to a larger modern facility in downtown Schenectady, NY. In addition, we opened two new regional offices in Minnetonka, MN, and San Jose, CA. These new offices build upon our existing sites in Houston, TX, and Denver, CO. Having more regional locations allows us to strengthen our relationship with our customer on all sides of the business. Since opening our newest offices, Siemens PTI held its First Annual Regional Open House event in October at each location. Our customers visited their local regional office to meet the staff, discuss the latest report from NERC, and participate in an open forum to discuss the latest industry developments and more. As our customers looked to Siemens PTI for solutions, the discussions were lively and the questions many. Below are just a few of the questions brought to the floor during the event.
FAQs Q. How can PSS®E assist me in the upcoming NERC TPL compliance? A. The upcoming NERC TPL — Transmission System Planning Performance Requirements — will be submitted to regulatory authorities for approval in 2010. The scope of the proposed TPL is much more extensive than the existing guidelines and has already provoked much discussions and concerns in the industry regarding difficulties in complying with the complex requirements such as these. In the 24-page draft published in August 2008, the proposed TPL defines the power flow conditions to study, the parties involved, and requires contingency definition to be breaker-to-breaker. Also, in addition to the conventional N-1 contingency analysis, an N-1-1 contingency reliability criterion is also put in place among various transmission reliability criteria. Though the new TPL standards are not approved yet, our PSS®E team has been working diligently to assist our users in future transmission planning compliance. PSS®E will introduce breaker and switch specification in the next release, and provide a prototype of N-1-1 contingency calculation program. Combined with scenario manager (introduced in PSS®E Rev. 31 in December 2007), users will have access to better file/study management, detailed substation breaker configuration, and the capability to test out the new prototype before we finalize the calculation engine in PSS®E. Q. What are generic wind models? How do they affect my modeling efforts, compared with the traditional vendor specific models? A. Siemens PTI is closely involved in efforts of WECC WGMG to develop generic models for 4 types of wind turbines: 1. Directly connected induction machine 2. Wound rotor induction machine with external rotor resistance control 3. Doubly-fed induction generator 4. Machine decoupled from the grid by power converter. By modeling the wind farm based on the technology deployed, users can avoid the complexity in handling manufacturer-specific user-written models. Further, all 4 types of
generic models have been benchmarked against respective types of vendor specific models, e.g. the WT1 model vs. V82 and MWT-1000, WT2 vs. V80, WT3 vs. GE 1.5/3.6, WT4 vs. GE 2.5. The parameters of the models can be easily adjusted to reflect different levels of generation. PSS®E Rev. 31 is already equipped with the capability to simulate generic wind models in steady-state analysis, and transient stability analysis for Type 3, doubly-fed induction generator. The next release, Rev. 32, will be equipped with the full range of simulation capability for all four types in both steady-state and dynamics. Siemens PTI will continue to include vendor specific models in our simulation efforts. For users who wish to study the detailed behavior of the wind turbines, the option of incorporating user-written models will remain. Q. What can be done in PSS®E to dispatch multiple swing machines? A. Assuming you are referring to the power flow solution with a case where there are multiple type 3 buses in an AC island, not the case where there are multiple AC islands, each with one type 3 bus. There are two possibilities: 1. Have only one swing bus per AC island. 2. The only control you have comes from the definition of a swing bus: fixed voltage magnitude and phase angle, with active and reactive power set to achieve zero mismatches at the swing bus. The only control you have comes from the values specified for the voltage magnitude and, more importantly, phase angle. Adjusting the phase angles at the type 3 buses in an ac island would affect how power outputs are shared among the type 3 buses Q: Based on the demonstration of MOD®, does MOD® then, become a planning network data manager that chronologically manages planning cases across my entire planning department? A. Yes, we have found that MOD® has generated improved efficiencies and accuracies for any planning department where the planners must share data. We have also found that annual and seasonal submissions of network representations to governing bodies becomes much easier with the manner in which MOD® manages the planning model. Q. My planners are also serving as short term planners and we have a need to see what the control center sees, do you have a tool that can help us? A: PSS®ODMS provides operations network model management as well as real-time network applications. We have a number of planners who run PSS®ODMS in parallel with the control center and use it to examine close-in operations for the control center staff. Additionally, if the situation merits, the network model can be quickly exported to PSS®E for more detailed examination of the existing or forecast conditions on the system. Q. Our operational and planning departments are stretched thin. Other than the Siemens PTI software solutions, are there experts available to guide us through understanding and meeting NERC/FERC requirements?
A. Siemens PTI is currently working with several clients to prototype methodologies to meet NERC/FERC requirements as they develop. Knowledge and interpretation of the mandates will avoid costly monetary penalties. Would you be interested in participating? Q. What is the status of the 2009 course catalog? A. The Siemens Power Academy TD USA 2009 Education and Training Catalog will be released later this month. Our 2009 dates have already been updated on our web site at www.usa.siemens.com/energy/pti-education. Q. With the high retirement rates these days, talent is walking out the door. How do I train my engineers in today's technologies? A. With the release of the 2009 Education and Training Catalog, Siemens PTI is pleased to introduce a new design that will increase your ease of use and provide guidance in determining which courses are best for you and your professional development. The first component of the redesign is the organization of courses by discipline: distribution, power systems, software, transmission and equipment-based curriculums. Paired with these themes, we have also structured a course level system that will help you denote the sequence of courses from foundational concepts to advanced topics. Working within the curriculum and tiered structure, students will be guided in course selection, be able to self-direct their professional development opportunities, and ultimately strive for an Advance Certificate in one of the four disciplines. Q. Will courses be offered in the Siemens PTI regional offices? A. Starting with our more popular courses, we are increasing our course schedule by offering courses at our regional offices. Click here to view our offerings by location. With the rising cost of travel, being able to attend class closer to home will allow you to participate in training without ruining your budget. If there is a class that you would like to see in your area or even at your own facilities, please contact Samantha Cooper, Senior Business Development Manager for Siemens Power Academy TD at samantha.cooper@siemens.com. She can work with you to identify courses that will suit your needs and even help you customize the training for delivery at your location, exclusive to your engineers.