Applications in Transmission Planning

How to integrate a long-term view to the development of transmission systems?  This is the challenge of transmission planning: to take into account future uncertainty, new power technologies and economic and operating realities in order to come up with a plan for transmission development.

In the new and emerging competitive markets, transmission planning needs to demonstrate relevance by providing applicable solutions to anticipated problems.  In doing so, planners must provide answers to questions that have not yet been asked.

We will cover the various methodologies that have been tried, and point out the ones that work, and don't work in the new competitive environment.  We will discuss the methodologies for developing the strategic plan, and software-based approach to developing the implementation plan.  We address the least-cost methodology, and how this is applicable to modern power systems.  Finally, the course will discuss the possible future impacts in increasing penetration of renewable energies into the bulk power system, how to address them and how to plan for them.

Attendees

The course is applicable to any of the following:

• New transmission planners
• Planners and specialists with at least 1 year experience in planning and operations
• Operations planners
• Market participants

Format

The class time is split equally between formal lecture/discussion sessions and case study/hands-on sessions. 

About 50% of class time will be devoted to a case study whose various aspects are addressed by the participants.  This provides a real-world example of transmission planning and the concepts introduced in the lecture portions of the course.  Participants will be asked to develop and present exercise plans to the rest of the class.

Computers will be provided for course participants.  These computers will have PSLF installed.  Participants who wish to use other analytical software for the hands on sessions can use one of several software packages.  Pterra's instructors can provide coaching for most software packages.  

Outline

This course will introduce concepts that provide the foundation for developing relevant transmission plans.  Outline of course:

• Overview
• Transmission Planning Methodologies
  • Impact Assessment
  • Horizon Year Method
  • Tradeoff-Risk and other Least Cost Methods
• Considerations in Transmission Planning
  • Scenarios and Uncertainty
  • Options and Technology Solutions
  • Planning Horizons
  • Conflicting Objectives and Integrating a Plan
• Detailed Plan Development
  • Planning for Adequate Thermal Capacity
  • Planning for Voltage Support and Control
  • Planning for Voltage and Transient Stability
  • Planning for Transfer Capability
  • Handling Sensitivities
• Case Study
  • Overview of the Case Study
  • Development of Scenarios
  • Developing Individual Plans
  • Integrating the Plan
  • implementing the Plan
• Compiling a Transmission Plan
  • Costs
  • Dependencies
  • Approvals
• General Review and Discussion

Duration

The course is scheduled for 18 class hours over a period of 3 days.

Further Information 

For further logistical information, please follow this link.   

For more information, please contact info@pterra.us.