Introduction

A widespread power outage, or "blackout," can have catastrophic consequences, crippling economies, disrupting essential services, and endangering public safety. The ability to quickly and systematically restore power after such an event is paramount for grid resilience and societal well-being. Grid Restoration refers to the intricate, multi-stage process of bringing an entire power system back to normal operation after a partial or total shutdown, involving coordinated efforts across generation, transmission, and distribution. A critical component of this process is Black Start, the unique capability of certain power plants or distributed energy resources to initiate operation without any external power supply from the grid. These "black start" units provide the initial "cranking power" to energize isolated sections of the transmission network, which then serve as foundations for gradually bringing other power plants and loads back online. Without well-defined and regularly practiced Grid Restoration and Black Start Procedures, utilities face immense challenges in minimizing downtime and mitigating the severe impacts of large-scale blackouts. This comprehensive training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master Grid Restoration and Black Start Procedures.

This training course is meticulously designed to empower power system operators, dispatchers, system planners, control center engineers, maintenance personnel, and emergency response teams with the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary to effectively plan, execute, and manage Grid Restoration and Black Start Procedures. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the causes and characteristics of blackouts, explore the various stages of system restoration, learn about the technical requirements for black start capable units, and acquire hands-on experience in developing restoration plans, coordinating actions, and troubleshooting challenges during a grid recovery. The course will delve into topics such as formation of power islands, reactive power management during restoration, cold load pickup phenomenon, communication protocols, the role of distributed energy resources (DERs) in restoration, and the importance of drills and simulations. By mastering the principles and practical application of Grid Restoration and Black Start Procedures, participants will be prepared to enhance grid resilience, minimize blackout durations, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure a swift return to normal operations in the face of major system disturbances.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Power System Operators and Dispatchers
• System Planners
• Control Center Engineers
• Emergency Response Team Members (Utilities)
• Transmission Engineers
• Distribution Engineers
• Generation Plant Operators and Engineers
• Maintenance Personnel (Substation, Transmission)
• Grid Reliability Analysts
• Regulatory Compliance Professionals

Objectives

• Understand the causes and characteristics of power system blackouts.
• Learn the definition and critical importance of "Black Start" capability.
• Acquire skills in identifying and assessing suitable Black Start resources.
• Comprehend techniques for developing comprehensive Grid Restoration Plans.
• Explore strategies for forming and interconnecting "power islands".
• Understand the challenges of voltage and frequency control during restoration.
• Gain insights into effective communication and coordination protocols during a blackout.
• Develop a practical understanding of training, drills, and simulation for restoration readiness.

Course Content

Module 1: Understanding Power System Blackouts

• Definition and types of blackouts (partial vs. total shutdown).
• Common causes of blackouts: cascading failures, natural disasters, cyber-attacks.
• Economic and social impacts of prolonged power outages.
• Historical blackout case studies and lessons learned.
• The critical need for robust restoration plans.

Module 2: Introduction to Grid Restoration

• Overview of the power system restoration process.
• Stages of restoration: Black Start, Network Reconfiguration, Load Restoration.
• Objectives of restoration: speed, reliability, stability.
• Challenges in restoration: limited information, dynamic conditions, human factors.
• Importance of pre-defined restoration plans.

Module 3: Black Start Capabilities and Requirements

• Definition of a Black Start unit: self-starting capability.
• Types of Black Start resources: hydro, diesel generators, gas turbines, batteries.
• Technical requirements for Black Start units: reactive power capability, start-up time, sustained output.
• Advantages and disadvantages of different Black Start technologies.
• Selection and strategic placement of Black Start resources.

Module 4: Black Start Procedures and Initial Energization

• Sequence of a Black Start operation for a generating unit.
• Energizing the "cranking path" and initial transmission lines.
• Formation of "power islands" (isolated energized sections).
• Synchronizing the Black Start unit to the dead bus.
• Verification of voltage and frequency stability in the nascent island.

Module 5: Transmission System Energization and Reconfiguration

• Gradual energization of the transmission network.
• Techniques for synchronizing power islands.
• Management of switching operations and circuit breaker control.
• Challenges of overvoltage during transmission line energization.
• Role of reactive power compensation and voltage control devices.

Module 6: Load Restoration and Cold Load Pickup

• Principles of controlled load pickup.
• Identifying critical loads for priority restoration (hospitals, emergency services).
• The "cold load pickup" phenomenon: sudden surge in demand on re-energization.
• Strategies to mitigate cold load pickup issues.
• Coordinating load restoration with distribution system operators.

Module 7: Operational Challenges and Control During Restoration

• Maintaining frequency and voltage stability during dynamic restoration.
• Managing reactive power balance in a fragile system.
• Challenges of monitoring and control with limited SCADA/communication.
• Dealing with unforeseen contingencies during restoration.
• Role of human operators in decision-making and manual control.

Module 8: Planning, Training, and Drills for Restoration Readiness

• Developing a comprehensive Black Start and Restoration Plan.
• Documentation and periodic review of restoration procedures.
• Training requirements for all personnel involved in restoration.
• Importance of regular drills, simulations, and tabletop exercises.
• Post-restoration analysis and continuous improvement processes.

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.