Using Pumped Storage Loads in Restoration Paths: A Field Test in the Italian National Grid

Abstract

This paper deals with power system restoration and discusses the connection of pumped storage loads to restoration paths. This new strategy allows avoiding any disturbance to customers during field tests of restoration paths and improves as well the reliability of restoration plans. The first application of the new strategy concerned the field test of a new path in central Italy. This paper reports the test and analyzes the main novel features of the considered path: complete separation from subtransmission and distribution networks and use of pumped storage loads during its energization. These aspects and their consequences are discussed with reference to both field testing of restoration paths and effectiveness of system restoration.

Consideration of pumped storage as a black-start source in Shandong power grid of China

“…As modern society becomes increasingly dependent on electricity supply, consequences caused by large blackouts become more and more serious. Once blackout occurred, measures must be taken to restore the power supply as soon as possible [5][6][7][8][9]. Black-start plan, whose task is to restore the selected target unit through a proper restoration path starting from black-start source, should be developed in advance to guarantee a fast service restoration after massive outages.…”

“…In the black-start field test performed in Italian in December 2003 [6], a particular black-start field test assumed that pumped storage loads were used in restoration path to avoid any disturbance to customers and improve the reliability of restoration plans either. However, this strategy can not be adopted in Shandong power grid of China, C [11].…”