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CATEGORY: EOLICO
POSITIONS: Europe - Italy
PRODUCTS:
AREN Electric Power S.p.A. is a leading company in the Italian energy sector, specialising in the design, production, and management of plants for the generation and distribution of sustainable electricity. In this context, the activities of Aren Electric Power S.p.A. cover the entire process, starting with the study and development of projects, continuing with their engineering and construction, and concluding with the management and maintenance of operational plants and the sale of the electricity produced, thanks also to the use of innovative technologies and a commitment to environmental solutions.
With a focus on advanced and environmentally friendly projects, AREN Electric Power S.p.A. promotes the development and integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind power, with the aim of reducing environmental impact. Among its recent projects, AREN Electric Power S.p.A. has chosen Thytronic to implement the protection, control, and monitoring system for the 30/150kV electrical substation of the wind farms in the municipalities of Montemilone and Banzi. This solution aims to optimise the management of the energy produced and its integration into Terna’s national electricity grid.
The purpose of the project is the supply, transport, installation, configuration, and commissioning of an advanced protection, control, and monitoring system for the 30/150kV transformation and connection substation of the Crossenergy wind farms, connected to the national grid via a high-voltage (HV) cable leading to the 150kV switching station in a “common area”.
The substation, located in the area of the municipalities of Montemilone and Banzi, represents a key point for connecting the AREN group’s wind farms to the national grid. The solution also includes low-voltage (LV) alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) panels for the supply of auxiliary and general services, as well as ATA and ATV boxes for the collection of secondary signals from CTs and VTs.
The plant consists of a 30/150kV transformation and connection substation, connected via a high-voltage (HV) cable to a bay in a common area. This area will house a 150kV switching station, intended for connection to the national transmission network (NTN) managed by Terna through the 380/150kV NTN electrical substation at Genzano di Lucania (PZ). The common area is also accessible to other renewable energy producers, creating synergy for shared use of infrastructure and greater logistical and operational efficiency.
An AIS (Air Insulated Switchgear) busbar portal will be installed in the Crossenergy substation area, allowing the connection of additional transformers to support other AREN group plants. Currently, the first wind farm to enter service will be Banzi, followed by the Montemilone plant. Both wind farms will use the same transformer, with the possibility of installing additional equipment in the future to facilitate the connection of new plants.
The protection, control, and monitoring system (PCMS) developed by Thytronic is designed to perform advanced protection, control, and monitoring functions for the entire plant. The system manages both operational and safety logics to ensure optimal operation and adequate protection of the substation and the common busbar.
All components are interconnected via an IEEE 802 Ethernet LAN (LAN network) using the TCP/IP transport protocol. The LAN extends within the substation and forms a network for the transfer of measurements, signals, commands, monitoring data, configuration data, and historical data between the various elements of the system. The “local” devices are interfaced to the LAN with dual radial connections using the pair of Ethernet ports with which they are equipped (failover of interfaces in case of port failure).
The universally recognised IEC 61850 standard is used for automation, suitable for automation and control applications in electrical substations. The object-oriented model and communication services on which it is based ensure interoperability, reliability, and performance, as well as simplifying system installation.
The heart of the system is the SCADA, which is also redundant, with a KWM service workstation and two Operator–Engineering Client workstations. Through the station LAN, the various elements of the PCMS system are connected: the functional units for protection, control, and monitoring of the various bays (e.g. incoming line, common busbar, transformer), the local RTU device for interfacing with the Wind Power Plant Controller, and the Terna RTU and UPDM devices for data exchange with Terna, which use the IEC 60870-5-104 standard for communication with Terna’s Control and Defence Centres, as required by the Grid Code. The system elements are as follows:
The remote control system (RTU) includes an interface function with Terna, implemented via a concentrator-gateway that uses the concept of a virtual RTU, as provided for in Annex A13 of the Grid Code. The virtual RTU, integrated into the physical RTU serving the Montemilone-Banzi plant, is designed to transmit data relating to both Montemilone and Banzi, with a flexible and scalable structure that allows for future expansion to manage additional plants that the AREN group may develop in Italy.
The RTU system is designed to integrate fully with the SCADA, enabling both local and remote management of the plant and continuous monitoring of energy production. The SCADA allows data exchange with the wind farms and dynamically regulates active power, reactive power, and power factor (cos(fi)), in accordance with Annex A17 of Terna’s Grid Code. This integration ensures a rapid and effective response to load and production variations, guaranteeing system stability and efficiency.
A system for monitoring disturbances on the HV network is provided, as required by Annex A.7 of Terna’s Grid Code. Since the plant has an installed capacity not exceeding 50MW, the oscillographic disturbance functions can be performed by digital protections. The SCADA system acts as the Plant Server (SI), collecting information from the protections and sending it to Terna’s remote centre. Recordings in COMTRADE format (IEEE C37.111-2013) comply with the naming conventions of the IEEE C37.232 standard.
The proposed LAN architecture will allow interfacing with the Power Plant Controller (PPC) system via the RTU device, which will act as a gateway between the PPC and Terna’s control centres, providing and receiving measurements, setpoints, statuses, and commands as required by Annex A.17.
The environmental conditions for the installation of the system are fundamental to ensuring optimal operation. Installation will take place in Genzano di Lucania (PZ), at an altitude of approximately 590 metres above sea level, with ambient temperatures ranging from a minimum of -10°C to a maximum of +40°C. These parameters must be considered in the design and selection of materials and equipment to ensure the system’s long-term durability and reliability.
The supply also includes remote assistance, service, and support activities aimed at verifying, on an annual basis, the correct functioning of the system and resolving any issues that may arise. Thytronic is committed to providing constant technical support, offering updates and maintenance to maintain high standards of performance and safety.
The Thytronic PCMS system guarantees a series of advantages for AREN and for the overall efficiency of the Montemilone-Banzi project:
- Compliance with Grid Code obligations: Communication with Terna meets the requirements imposed by Terna’s Grid Code regarding “Connection to the Terna Control System” (Annex A.13) and “Criteria for connecting production plants to the Terna Defence System” (Annex A.69) through the use of “UPDM Devices for Remote Tripping Systems” (TSPSD0707). The two devices interface with Terna’s two MPLS communication vectors, with the first (Terna RTU) interfacing with the TSO’s primary and secondary centres and the second (UPDM) implementing the peripheral defence and monitoring logics. Thanks to the configuration of the Terna RTU and virtual UPDM, AREN can connect wind farms to Terna’s network with a scalable system that supports future expansion.
- Reliability and Safety: The combination of remote control systems and UPDM disconnection units makes the plant safe and compliant with network regulations, reducing the risk of blackouts and overloads.
Operational Efficiency: The ability to monitor and regulate energy flows via SCADA and to intervene in real time ensures optimal operation, reducing energy losses.
Continuous Technical Support: Thytronic provides assistance and scheduled maintenance services, ensuring constant operation and reliability.
The solution offered by Thytronic is built with Terna-approved devices in the SAS and DIGIS fields and is fully compliant with Terna’s standards, one of the main operators of the electricity transmission network in Italy. The project aligns with the following standards:
- Grid Code Annex A13: The virtual RTU system complies with the requirements for bidirectional communication, enabling the collection and transmission of data from Montemilone and Banzi to Terna.
- Grid Code Annex A17: The SCADA system supports the regulation of active and reactive power, in accordance with Terna’s specifications for the connection and management of wind farms.
- Grid Code Annex A69: Security and Protection Standards: The UPDM device complies with the requirements for remote disconnection, which is essential for managing emergencies and maintaining network stability.
The Montemilone-Banzi project is an example of how wind energy can be effectively integrated with the national grid. This approach promotes the use of renewable energy sources and contributes to the reduction of CO₂ emissions. This initiative represents a step towards the energy transition, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and improving clean energy production capacity, thus supporting environmental sustainability objectives.
The implementation of the Thytronic PCMS system for AREN Electric Power S.p.A. represents a significant advancement in the energy sector, aligning with the safety and efficiency standards required at national and international levels. This project not only supports the development of renewable energy production in Italy but also contributes to the stability of the national electricity grid, delivering tangible environmental benefits.
In conclusion, Thytronic’s project for AREN Electric Power marks an important step towards the modernisation of the Italian electricity grid. The integration of advanced protection and control systems, an intuitive user interface, and a scalable infrastructure consolidates Thytronic as a strategic partner for AREN and other operators in the field of renewable energy. This collaboration highlights how technological innovation can support an effective transition to renewable energy sources, while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of energy infrastructure.
For more information about the project, please contact thytronic@thytronic.it.