Introduction

In the intricate and ever-expanding world of electrical power systems, Advanced Power System Protection and Relaying stands as a critical discipline ensuring grid stability, reliability, and safety. As power networks become more complex, integrating diverse generation sources like renewables and facing increasing load demands, the role of sophisticated protection schemes becomes paramount to swiftly isolate faults, prevent cascading failures, and minimize service interruptions. Modern power systems are inherently susceptible to various types of disturbances, from short circuits and overloads to lightning strikes and equipment malfunctions. Without highly reliable and intelligent power system protection and relaying, these disturbances could lead to widespread outages, significant equipment damage, and even endanger personnel, underscoring the vital importance of this specialized field. This comprehensive training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master Advanced Power System Protection and Relaying.

This intensive 10-day training course is meticulously designed to empower electrical engineers, system operators, utility professionals, and aspiring protection specialists with the theoretical understanding and hands-on practical tools necessary to analyze, design, implement, and maintain advanced protection schemes for modern power grids. Participants will gain a deep understanding of fault analysis, explore various relaying principles, learn about the application of digital and numerical relays, and acquire skills in setting calculations, coordination studies, and troubleshooting complex protection issues. The course will delve into topics such as communicating relays, wide-area protection, smart grid protection challenges, cybersecurity in protection systems, and the integration of protection with control systems. By mastering the principles and practical application of Advanced Power System Protection and Relaying, participants will be prepared to enhance the resilience, efficiency, and safety of power systems, contributing significantly to the stability of energy infrastructure.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Electrical Power Engineers
• Protection Relay Technicians
• Substation Engineers
• System Operators
• Consulting Engineers
• Utility Professionals
• Industrial Plant Electrical Engineers
• Researchers in Power Systems
• Design Engineers for Protection Systems
• Technical Managers in Power Sector

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles of power system faults and their impact.
• Learn about various types of protection relays and their operating characteristics.
• Acquire skills in performing fault analysis relevant to protection design.
• Comprehend techniques for setting and coordinating protection relays.
• Explore strategies for applying digital and numerical relays in modern systems.
• Understand the importance of communication in advanced relaying schemes.
• Gain insights into wide-area protection systems and smart grid challenges.
• Develop a practical understanding of testing and commissioning protection systems.
• Learn about cybersecurity considerations in power system protection.
• Master troubleshooting and post-fault analysis for protection failures.
• Acquire skills in designing protection schemes for various power system components.
• Understand arc flash protection and safety considerations.
• Explore generator and transformer protection in detail.
• Develop proficiency in application of IEC 61850 in substation automation.
• Prepare to address contemporary challenges in power system protection.

Course Content

Module 1: Fundamentals of Power System Faults and Disturbances

• Types of faults: symmetrical and unsymmetrical (single line-to-ground, line-to-line, double line-to-ground).
• Fault current calculations: symmetrical components, per-unit system.
• Impact of faults on power system stability and equipment.
• Causes of faults: internal and external factors.
• Introduction to power system disturbances (overvoltages, undervoltages, frequency deviations).

Module 2: Basic Principles of Power System Protection

• Objectives of power system protection: reliability, selectivity, speed, sensitivity.
• Primary and backup protection.
• Zones of protection: overlap and reach.
• Current transformers (CTs) and potential transformers (PTs) for relaying.
• Evolution of protection systems: electromechanical, static, digital, numerical.

Module 3: Overcurrent Protection and Coordination

• Types of overcurrent relays: definite time, inverse definite minimum time (IDMT), directional.
• Time-current characteristics (TCC) curves.
• Principles of overcurrent relay coordination: grading.
• Application of overcurrent protection in radial and looped systems.
• Ground fault protection using overcurrent relays.

Module 4: Distance Protection

• Principles of distance protection: impedance, reactance, mho characteristics.
• Zones of distance protection: Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3.
• Setting calculations for distance relays.
• Application of distance protection on transmission lines.
• Challenges in distance protection: fault resistance, power swings.

Module 5: Differential Protection

• Principles of differential protection: current balance.
• Biased differential protection: percentage differential.
• Application of differential protection for transformers, generators, and busbars.
• High impedance and low impedance differential schemes.
• Through-fault stability and sensitivity.

Module 6: Advanced Relaying Principles

• Undervoltage and overvoltage protection.
• Underfrequency and overfrequency protection.
• Reverse power and loss-of-excitation protection.
• Synchronizing and check synchronizing relays.
• Reclosing relays and auto-reclose schemes.

Module 7: Digital and Numerical Relays

• Architecture and features of modern digital and numerical relays.
• Microprocessor-based functionality: multi-functionality, programmability.
• Communication capabilities of numerical relays: DNP3, IEC 61850.
• Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and software tools for relay configuration.
• Advantages of numerical relays over older types.

Module 8: Relay Setting and Coordination Studies

• Data requirements for protection studies: system parameters, load flow, fault levels.
• Using specialized software for protection coordination (e.g., ETAP, DIgSILENT, PSCAD).
• Step-by-step methodology for coordination studies.
• Resolving coordination conflicts and optimizing settings.
• Impact of distributed generation on relay coordination.

Module 9: Substation Automation and IEC 61850

• Introduction to substation automation systems (SAS).
• IEC 61850 standard: object models, communication services, logical nodes.
• Generic Object-Oriented Substation Events (GOOSE) messaging for inter-relay communication.
• Sampled Values (SV) for merging units.
• Implementing IEC 61850 in modern substations.

Module 10: Wide-Area Protection and Smart Grid Challenges

• Principles of wide-area measurement systems (WAMS) and Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs).
• Applications of WAMS for power system stability monitoring and control.
• Protection challenges in smart grids: distributed generation, microgrids, electric vehicles.
• Adaptive protection schemes for evolving grid conditions.
• Cybersecurity threats to smart grid protection systems.

Module 11: Generator and Transformer Protection

• Specific protection schemes for synchronous generators: differential, overcurrent, loss-of-excitation.
• Transformer protection: differential, overcurrent, restricted earth fault, Buchholz relay.
• Inrush current blocking and harmonic considerations in transformer protection.
• Protection of generator-transformer units.
• Tap changer protection and thermal considerations.

Module 12: Busbar and Feeder Protection

• Busbar protection schemes: differential, zone-selective interlocking (ZSI).
• High impedance and low impedance bus differential protection.
• Feeder protection: overcurrent, distance, recloser coordination.
• Protection of overhead lines vs. underground cables.
• Integrated feeder protection and automation.

Module 13: Protection System Commissioning and Testing

• Importance of commissioning tests: ensuring correct installation and operation.
• Types of tests: primary injection, secondary injection, end-to-end testing.
• Using relay test sets and software for testing.
• Test procedures for various relay types and protection schemes.
• Documentation of test results and maintenance schedules.

Module 14: Troubleshooting and Post-Fault Analysis

• Analyzing relay trip reports and event records.
• Identifying causes of protection misoperations (false trips, failures to trip).
• Root cause analysis techniques for protection system issues.
• Using fault locators and digital fault recorders.
• Implementing corrective actions and system improvements.

Module 15: Emerging Trends and Future of Protection

• Adaptive and self-healing protection systems.
• AI and machine learning applications in protection.
• Protection in DC microgrids and HVDC systems.
• Cybersecurity resilience in critical infrastructure protection.
• Evolution of protection standards and regulations.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.