Challenges of TSO-DSO Voltage Regulation Under Real-Time Data Exchange Paradigm

As conventional power generation units are being replaced with distributed energy resources, operational practices such as voltage regulation and congestion management are expected to be challenging. To address these challenges, regular and automated intercontrol center operational coordination will be needed between transmissions and distributions system operators (TSO and DSO). In this study, the data exchange required for the near-real-time operational coordination is investigated for a reactive power management use case. A realistic ICCP/TASE 2 protocol is implemented in a laboratory environment where the physical network is simulated in a real-time simulator while optimal set-points are communicated from the control centers to simulated assets being communicated through the IEC 60870-5-104. In addition, the sufficiency of the common information model (CIM) and common grid model exchange standard (CGMES) is evaluated for TSO-DSO network data exchange. The results from the cyber-physical test setup show that the detailed DSO grid model knowledge by the TSO results in lower system losses. Such data can be difficult to prepare, exchange, and compute. However, results show that simplified equivalent models can be acceptable if they are properly tailored to the specific use case. The experiences from the CIM implementation with the CGMES profile are found out to be sufficient for such operational data exchange.