Application of Eaton’s CYME Power System Simulation and Analysis Software at EVNNPC

1. Project Background

During the operation and development of the distribution network, the analysis, simulation, and optimization of the power system play an important role in ensuring reliable power supply, reducing power losses, and improving investment efficiency.

The Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC) currently manages an extensive power distribution network across many northern provinces and cities, comprising thousands of kilometers of power lines and tens of thousands of substations. To meet the requirements of planning, operational analysis, and digital transformation in the power sector, EVNNPC requires a comprehensive software solution for power system calculation, simulation, and analysis (Power System Analysis and Simulation Software), fully meeting the needs of a power distribution corporation (with no limitation on the number of simulation nodes) for power network simulation. The solution must be based on an integrated modular architecture, where each calculation function can be provided as a separate module, ensuring easy customization, upgrading, configuration, and adjustment of module implementation scope whenever necessary.

The Power System Analysis and Simulation Software (PSASS) must meet the following requirements of EVNNPC:

System Integration: Integration with existing systems using standard programming languages; SCADA system data sources; Meter Data Management System (MDMS) data extraction; meter system data, etc., for calculating network losses over time and supporting other analytical functions.

Functional Requirements: Requirements related to the graphical user interface (GUI); server infrastructure; workstation computers; operating system environment; programming language; data standardization; graphical standardization; and cybersecurity and information security.

Regarding functional calculation modules: including (1) Power Flow Analysis (Balanced & Unbalanced); (2) Short-Circuit Analysis; (3) Load Profile Analysis; (4) Complex Contingency Simulation; (5) Load Growth Analysis; (6) Network Structure Optimization for Grid Investment and Construction Planning; (7) Power Flow Optimization; (8) Power Dispatch Point Optimization; (9) Reactive Power Compensation Optimization; (10) Voltage/Reactive Power (Volt/Var) Optimization; (11) Load Balancing; (12) Load Allocation / Transformer Tap Positioning; (13) Fault Analysis / Service Restoration Configuration; (14) Stability Analysis; (15) Line Parameter Calculation; (16) User Management Functionality; (17) Power Supply Reliability Analysis – Reliability Calculation; (18) Protection System Simulation; (19) Overall Protection System Assessment and Verification; (20) Distance Protection Relay Settings; (21) Overcurrent/Time Protection Simulation; (22) Renewable Energy Interconnection Analysis; (23) Fuse Coordination Calculation and Simulation; (24) Software and Supporting Tools with Time-Series Data Processing Capability; (25) Grid Operating Condition Analysis Using Probabilistic Distributions; and (26) Harmonic Analysis.

In summary, EVNNPC requires a specialized software tool that enables:

• Integration of GIS/SCADA/AMI/OMS data for accurate power network modeling.
• Analysis of basic and advanced power system operating scenarios, taking into account the increasingly high penetration of distributed energy resources in practical operation.
• Support power system planning and distribution network operation optimization.

In this context, Eaton’s CYME software was selected to support power system simulation and analysis, meeting EVNNPC’s requirements.

2. Technical Challenges

Power system analysis in practical applications often encounters several limitations:

• The power system data is extensive and complex, making it difficult to model comprehensively and efficiently.
• Accurately evaluating power losses on medium-voltage and low-voltage networks under actual operating conditions is a challenging issue.
• Lack of tools to support the analysis of optimal operating scenarios.
• Difficulty in predicting the negative impacts when the existing power grid is interconnected with distributed energy resources (renewable energy sources), whose characteristics vary rapidly with weather conditions.

In addition, in the context of digital transformation in the power sector, EVNNPC is also deploying various IT systems to support operation and management activities, such as PMIS, remote metering systems, GIS, and others, with the objective of digitizing data and improving the efficiency of production and business operations management.

Therefore, a major requirement is that the software platform must be capable of integrating data and accurately simulating the operating conditions of the entire active power distribution network, as well as forecasting future developments based on a comprehensive analysis of all influencing factors.

3. Implemented Solution

Mỹ Phương Trading Company (MPCo), in cooperation with Eaton, implemented the CYME software solution for EVNNPC to support:

• Power system modeling.

• Development of detailed models for medium-voltage and low-voltage power distribution networks.
• Management of equipment data such as power lines, transformers, and capacitor banks.

• Operation analysis and simulation.

• Power flow analysis.
• Short-circuit analysis.
• Protection coordination analysis.

• Operation and planning optimization.

• Power loss analysis.
• Capacitor placement and sizing optimization.
• Simulation of optimal operating scenarios and grid reconfiguration (Network Configuration Optimization).

• Long-term planning.

• Power flow calculation with load profiles (Load Flow with Profiles).
• Random load distribution analysis (Electric vehicle charging station planning calculation – Behind-the-Meter Scenario Analysis).

• Automated tool for converting remote metering data into the software for calculation purposes.
• The CYME software supports EVNNPC in importing data from the telemetry system into the CYME software automatically and quickly, saving time spent on manual conversion
• The data meets the level of time-series analysis, visually simulating the power grid at each operating timestamp

The CYME software allows for visual simulation of the power grid and the execution of in-depth analyses, helping engineers evaluate performance and identify solutions to improve the power system

4. Implementation process

The implementation project was carried out according to the following main steps:

4.1. Building the power grid model

• Collecting power system data (From 110 kV lines to 110/35/22 kV substations, 35 kV and 22 kV medium-voltage bays to the 0.4 kV low-voltage side)
• Standardizing equipment data, 110 kV source parameters, and load parameters
• Building the power grid model on the CYME software

4.2. Analysis and simulation

• Phân tích trào lưu công suất
• Short-circuit calculation
• Protection coordination verification

4.3. Training and technology transfer

• Organizing basic and advanced training sessions for EVNNPC engineers
• Guidelines for using and operating the software
• Technical support during operations

5. Expected results and objectives after deploying the CYME software application in engineering and operations:

• Improving power system analysis capabilities: Allowing for accurate assessment of the grid’s operating status and system development scenarios
• Reducing power loss: Through system analysis and optimization tools, helping to identify solutions for reducing losses.
• Supporting planning and investment: The software provides a database and simulation results to support power grid development planning.
• Supporting digital transformation in the power sector: Power grid model data can be integrated with other management systems such as GIS, DMS, and engineering management systems.

6. Value delivered

The application of CYME software not only helps EVNNPC enhance its power system technical analysis capabilities but also contributes to the modernization and digitalization of the power sector.

This solution helps engineers to:

• Improving power grid operational efficiency
• Optimizing system development investment
• Supporting technical decision-making based on accurate simulation models

Thereby, contributing to ensuring a safe, stable, and efficient power supply for the Northern region.