Power quality: increasing reliability of power substations

In the context of deregulation of the electricity market, a special effort must be made to guarantee a high level of system reliability and supply quality. EDF has developed a tool called TOPASE for characterizing faults in electric power supply, particularly in terms of frequency and duration of power cuts at substations. It is designed around a knowledge base dedicated to the reliability of high-voltage substations and an associated database. In 1998, analysis of feedback from studies carried out with TOPASE determined several evolutions that are considered desirable. Specifications for all these changes were drawn up early in 1999 and will be implemented in the industrial version of the tool before the end of the year. Approximately ten studies were carried out in 1997-1998 with TOPASE for EDF. They have generally helped operators make and justify their decisions.