Efacec Automation in the scope of its smart grid R&D activity and in close cooperation with power system operator in Peru – Edelnor, has developed a project that aims to present a new solution for voltage regulation distributed at MV level.

Power system operators are bound to maintain voltage levels at MV and LV grids with value limits, specified by quality standards and technical directives, at the national and international levels. In Peru, the supplied nominal voltage limits are of ± 5%. In this scenario, Edelnor jointly with Efacec undertook a project to investigate a voltage regulation solution. The project consisted in real-time analyses and simulations at the grid, with Efacec software and hardware applied and real-time algorithms acting over substation and power grid.

In more detail, this project involved real-time control of voltages at distribution grid fed by transmission substation. The voltages were measured in selected points of the MV feeders and transmitted, over the GPRS mobile communication network, to the station server at the HV/MV substation. The station server, by execution of a real-time algorithm was proceeding with changes of the referenced voltage at HV/MV power transformers, consequently the station server, through a dedicated software and communication protocols (IEC 61850 and IEC 60870-5-104), was able to control the voltages at the MV and LV grid of the system.

The validation tests had two stages; firstly, the proposed architecture was tested at the factory environment. Secondly, real-time simulations were done in the field, at the Edelnor’s distribution grid and Huandoy substation, including sensors placed in several points of the distribution lines. The Huandoy substation is operating with a control and automation system that was trusted to Efacec.

Obtained results have shown a significant improvement of voltage quality at the MV and LV grids, comparatively to conventional control, which allows the voltage regulation based on unique value of the MV bay of one substation. This method demonstrated also reductions of system operation costs and time, as the system is able to regulate automatically the values according to the process variable output.

The control and automation system addressed in this work is dynamic and with capability of automatic adjustments. It can operate in different scenarios, with lower referenced voltages during less demanding periods or with higher referenced voltages during more demanding periods, achieving multiple curves for voltage profiles and switching between them accordingly to the final goal.

The solution can be implemented in any distribution utility whenever its grid is equipped with power transformers with voltage regulation and GPRS wireless communication, or similar, is available.

This solution was presented at the XXI Conimera (Lima, Peru) with two papers written by Efacec and Edelnor specialist. The papers comprehensively describe the applied analyses, study and achieved results. The conference committee distinguished one of those papers, placing it at the top-10 papers of the conference.