b'Partner News Winter 2021 23Enterpriseall external interfaces to be proven. ChecksPreventative Protection Maintenanceensure that protection relays have not beenOnce in service, a protection relay may not be damaged during transit or installation, thatrequired to operate during its entire life cycle, the correct settings have been applied andbut should a fault appear on the system it that the interface is connected correctly inis imperative that the protection operates accordance with the latest design.correctly. Like all electronic devices subjected to harsh environmental conditions such as The commissioning process can be temperature and humidity fluctuations, IEDs notoriously complex, requiring expert may suffer the effect of aging electronic management and co-ordination to ensurecomponents and thus increased likelihood of the project is safely delivered to contractualmaloperation. timescales while maintaining the focus on quality and safety: Through a preventative protection maintenance programme, regular The scale of a project can make theinspection and well documented testing protection commissioning particularlyto accommodate trending analysis allows challenging, for example, Hornsea Two, whichconfidence that the protection system will once fully operational in 2022 will becomeoperate when called upon and clear any the worlds largest offshore wind farm, hasfaults as quickly as possible whilst minimising over 100 IEDs that required testing at thedisruption to the Grid.onshore substation alone. Then you have to consider the truly global mix of companiesWhat does the future hold for IEDs?and personnel involved in the project;Significant improvements to efficiency, the protection was designed, built, andperformance and cost have been achieved configured by Hitachi-ABB in Switzerland,thanks to the ongoing digitalisation of the to comply with Danish company rstedsGrid. IEC 61850 communications standard technical requirements, for a project based indefines a data agnostic architecture that the UK and needing to comply with UK Gridcaters for interoperability of devices from Code and OFGEM regulations. The successfuldifferent vendors at the field or process Upon completion of rigorous internal testing,commissioning required the highest levels ofand station control levels. Increased inter-the end-client is invited to attend a final testcommunication and co-operation throughoutconnectivity allows for open communication of the protection system, called a Factoryto maintain synergy between all partiesand exchange of data within the digital Acceptance Test (FAT), to demonstrateand ensure commissioning was completedsubstation, however, with increased system compliance.correctly and on schedule. digitalisation comes increased vulnerabilities.Earlier this year, client representatives wereDavid Messruther, CommissioningCyberattacks are becoming an increasing unable to attend the Hitachi-ABB PowerManager at DAGEM Power concern for all critical national infrastructure Grid UKs System Verification Facility due toincluding the Grid, as explained by Dominic Bull:the restriction of movement brought aboutAt the end of the commissioning process, by the COVID-19 pandemic. Delivery of theonce it has been verified that the correctIEDs have become increasingly Dogger Bank A Protection FAT (the firstsettings have been applied and interfaceinterconnected thanks to the advanced phase of what will be the worlds largestwith other equipment proven, the finalautomation and communication standards offshore wind farm once all three phases arestability and integrity checks are completedbeing implemented for the big push complete) required an innovative solutionon load during initial energisation. Thetowards Smart Grids. However, masses of to avoid delays to the project leavingcommissioning is then able to be signeddata swarming around the network now the factory. A Virtual FAT was deliveredoff and the system released for commercialpresents a risk of cyberattack on the Grid utilising the latest video streaming hardwareservice. from external sources. Cyber security is and software, the likes of which are moretaking centre stage on the Hinkley Point C commonly used by Youtubers! StakeholdersProtection & Control FAT with huge efforts from multiple locations around Europe werebeing made to implement and test strict able to remotely dial-in and witness the FAT,security measures as we help define the new saving time, money and the carbon footprintstandard for UK cyber security within the associated with international travel. industry.Danny Cody, Senior Protection ServicesDominic Bull, Senior Control Services Engineer at DAGEM Power Engineer at DAGEM PowerSite Commissioning David Shammas, Protection & Control Whilst the IEDs undergo thorough testing atServices Manager at DAGEM Power the factory, site commissioning allows for theT: 07545023992 complete protection system incorporatingE: david.shammas@dagem.co.uk'