Geomagnetic Disturbance (GMD)

The sun emits coronal mass ejections consisting of charged particles, and approximately 3% of these ejections reach the Earth with varying intensities.  The interaction of the ejections with the Earth’s magnetic field is called a Geomagnetic Disturbance (GMD).  GMD events pose potentially severe, widespread effects on the reliable operation of the bulk power system which may result in voltage collapse and blackout.

The North American Reliability Corporation (NERC), with FERC approval, has mandated two Standards relevant to protecting the electric grid from Geomagnetic Disturbance (GMD) events:

• Reliability Standard TLP-007-1 “Transmission System Planned Performance for Geomagnetic Disturbance (GMD) Events”
• Reliability Standard EOP-010-1 “Geomagnetic Disturbance Operations”

These standards require entities to assess the vulnerability of the bulk power system to GMD events, and to implement operating plans and processes to study GMD power grid impacts and mitigate potentially adverse effects.

This webcast will   provide an overview of what a GMD event is and how it can impact the power grid (AC and HVDC systems).  The webinar will identify the steps transmission organizations such as ISO’s, transmission companies, balancing areas, vertically integrated utilities and load serving entities need to take to adhere to FERC and NERC compliance obligations. Further, Teshmont will provide a  GMD case study to illustrate how these entities can effectively comply with NERC Standards and build the resiliency of their power system to withstand GMD events.

Learning Outcomes

• Review what a Geomagnetic Disturbance (GMD) event entails and its potential impacts
• Discuss FERC and NERC compliance obligations related to GMD events
• Assess requirements of NERC Reliability Standards
• Identify the steps on how to conduct GMD power system vulnerability assessments
• Evaluate tips for the development of operating processes for NERC and FERC compliance
• Review power support requirements to ensure compliance with the NERC Standards
• Review studies to analyze the effects of harmonics added during transformer half cycle saturation
• Identify possible equipment mitigation strategies

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.2 CEUs for this event.

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must be logged on for the entirety of the webinar to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

A Web-based PowerPoint presentation.

• Introductions
• GMD Overview
  • What is a GMD
  • Solar activity
  • Alerts, warnings and watches
• Power Grid Effects of GMD Events
  • Effects on the AC system
  • Effects on the DC system
  • Historical GMD events
  • Potential costs
• NERC Standards & Summary of NERC Requirements for GMD
  • EOP-010-1
  • TPL-007-1
• GMD Mitigation Options
• Methodology for Analysis of GMD Impacts
• GMD Planning Studies
  • Overview
  • GIC time domain simulations
  • Steady state simulations
  • Additional studies
• Case Study
  • Objective and scope
  • Study assumptions and parameters
  • Study methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Recommendations
• Mapping an Action Plan 

Robert Baker, Vice President, Teshmont Consultants

Robert Baker, P.Eng., is Vice President at Teshmont Consultants LP’s Calgary office and has over 27 years of experience in both utility and deregulated power system processes.  Mr. Baker has 20 years of utility and ISO experience, during which helped to establish the Transmission Administrator office in Alberta during the deregulation efforts in the 1990’s.  In his current role he has provided support on a number of study and design initiatives, including the devleopment of generation interconnection processes, the development of GMD analysis, and many detailed power system evaluations.  Rob Baker has had a varied background in the power transmission industry, taking on roles such as transmission system planning, system enginneering, load forecasting, transmission system operations, system disturbance process development and analysis, project management, and generation and resource planning.  Additionally, Mr. Baker has a background in policy development and has appeared as a technical witness in a number of regulatory hearings.

Jaryn Vaile, Electrical Engineer, Teshmont Consultants

Jaryn Vaile, E.I.T., is a member of Teshmont Consultants LP’s Calgary office with over 4 years’ experience in a variety of steady-state and transient analysis for power systems.    He has performed multiple geomagnetic vulnerability assessments in cooperation with Natural Resources Canada and transformer manufacturers in compliance with NERC Standard TPL-007-1.  Mr. Vaile has played an active role in the development and testing of Siemens PTI PSS®E GIC module.  He co-authored a paper on geomagnetic disturbance impacts on the transmission system recently presented at 2017 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting and has delivered a number of presentations on the topic to various organizations throughout North America.

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Geomagnetic Disturbance (GMD)

November 2, 2017 | online,