PROJECT NAME: AESO Black Start Study
Sector: Utilities – Power
Description: Project involved the assessment of black start viability for a large generating station in Alberta following an extensive system outage.
Scope of Work: Provided a comprehensive time domain (dynamic) analysis to assess the viability of local generation to support the starting of boilers. The results of the study were used to modify protective relay settings as well as to provide necessary emergency operating conditions (temporary voltage and frequency) to the system operator.
Project Highlights: When a black start is required, system voltages will swing drastically, with large sags and swells as the reactive power needed for starting motors is sent over large distances. As such, protective relaying setpoints required modification to allow black start conditions.
The above image shows the dynamic motor acceleration analysis of a 7000HP boiler feed pump motor during generator startup. In this simulation, the local utility system was unable to provide adequate var support during this black start scenario, resulting in a motor stall.