Transmission planning studies for grid code compliance

Grid codes are designed to ensure that power systems are developed and operated reliably and efficiently in the evolving power industry. Currently, there are many grid codes implemented in the world, such as North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards, grid codes approved by Transmission System Operators (TSOs) or NERC regional entities, national and/or international standards established by renowned organizations such as IEEE, IEC, etc. For the compliance of applicable grid codes, transmission planning studies should be performed to ensure the power systems are planned, designed, developed, and operated cooperatively, reliably, and efficiently. In this paper, several aspects of transmission planning studies are explored and discussed, such as planning studies to check Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits (IROL), Preventive Security Constrained Optimal Power Flow (PSCOPF) for the preparation and adjustment of power systems, corrective actions to mitigate thermal and voltage constraints, sensitivity analysis for quickly mitigating System Operating Limit (SOL), N-1-1 contingency analysis, wind generation interconnection studies for the requirements of reactive power and Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) capabilities, and transmission relay loadability studies.