IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - March/April 2018 - 59

data acquisition (sCaDa) and other existing applications.
The goal is to generate top-level efficient and integrated
information and provide relevant diagnostics and decisions.
These data will be provided to the operator according to
the imminence of the critical issues and needs for remedial
actions. These summaries are provided via data stream and
integration in a single graphical user interface of a single
application on the operator station (Figure 2).
all data shown in the user interface (Figure 3) are accessible to staff via mobile devices inside the control center and
in the field. on the left side, the operator has a list of cards to
interact with the system processes. on the right side, the operator finds the details of a single card with the correct information and the actions to handle a problem (an overload forecast
in this case). The timeline allows the operator to view data in
a wider context. in the same way, a dashboard presents results
on maps, tables, and charts.
This innovative framework for system operation allows
periodic and automatic studies, identifies potential constraints, and, accordingly, determines if actions are needed.
it also prompts to the user to launch new studies if needed
(Figure 4). Thanks to this framework, a two-day forecast of
both power grid states and planned actions is given to the
operator. a full set of new features is embedded, such as
the following:
✔ analysis of forecast security, including uncertainties:
the decision process will be based on a full two-dayahead analysis, value, and efficiency of actions
✔ elaboration of remedial actions (both preventive and
corrective): knowledge capitalization on operators'
historical choices and simulation of actions
✔ real-time monitoring: support for alarm management
to exhibit only issues that cannot be handled automatically and give suggestions on their resolution
✔ full management of equipment lock-out: planning, topology choices, and collaboration with other operators
✔ global optimization of power flow, voltage, and losses: best choice and coordination of levers
✔ equipment testing and planning: automating the verification of switch reliability.

Automatic Command
of the System
This automatic command makes
the system more responsive, agile,
and secure by automatically
✔ identifying which commands
a nd cont rol st r at eg y to
implement
✔ providing orders to the sCaDa system (always after an
automatic security check)
✔ optimizing, coordinating,
and positioning set points
[local automata, phase shiftmarch/april 2018

ers transformers, and high-voltage direct current
(HVdc) lines].
The automatic command is also built in a modular way (see
Figure 5), which offers the possibility of progressively implementing new functions in the control room as a key issue
for acceptance by the operators. The first modules have
already been tested offline by operators and then implemented in some of rTe's control rooms for production operation in 2017.

figure 2. A new operator console. (Photo courtesy of RTE,
used with permission.)

figure 3. The new graphical user interface.

Current Approach

Future Approach

Data/Forecast
Difference

Periodic and
Automatic Studies

Alert

Constraints?

Yes
Actions?

Studies
Constraints

No
Alert

Yes
Actions

Yes

Human
Studies

Study

2017+
Toolbox
Human
Study

figure 4. Current and new approaches of grid management.
ieee power & energy magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - March/April 2018