Introduction: The assessment and feasibility study will consider a small representative section of the network, such that protection performance information can be provided and coupled with contingencies and scenarios identified in the System Operability Framework (SOF) document published by the System Operator. This knowledge will then be applied to evaluating the effectiveness of alternative protection strategies to meet future network requirements.

The associated deliverables include:

1. Develop a Roadmap to evaluate the suitability of existing protection to cater for low system inertia/fault level conditions

2. Protection modelling and validation;
   1. Validate the SOF modelling assumptions

   2. Compare simulations with measured data to validate models

   3. Evaluate the suitability of current and legacy technology to meet these emerging protection requirements

   4. Examine the impact on the transmission protection strategy due more active DNO networks.

3. Establish the limitations of the existing policy to cater for future scenarios

4. Identify alternative protection methodologies and their suitability for transmission systems under the various future scenarios;
   1. Do we still require 2 main protections

   2. What is the role for backup protection

   3. Do we need CBF as switchgear performance reliability improves

   4. Is voltage a better parameter to monitor.

5. Recommendations for optimising the existing protection system to adapt to these challenges
   1. Scope out the role and impact that CIM and IEC 61850 will have in this development

   2. Identify any architecture and infrastructure we require to support any migration to new P&C solutions.

   3. Long term strategy.

Objectives:

The key objectives for this feasibility study are to:

• Develop a Roadmap to evaluate the suitability of existing protection to cater for low system inertia/fault level conditions
• Protection modelling and validation;
• Establish the limitations of the existing policy to cater for future scenarios
• Identify alternative protection methodologies and their suitability for transmission systems under the various future scenarios;  
• Develop a list of recommendations for optimising the existing protection system for adaptation to these challenges 

Expected Benefits:

Production of reports addressing:

• Review of existing protection effectiveness.

• Development of a viable protection strategy suitable for all credible scenarios

• Implementation roadmap to optimise/migrate existing protection to a fit for purpose solution.