Training for Operating Staff in Control Centres as One Key Factor for Operating Resilience

Abstract In large interconnected power systems the operating conditions become more and more complex. The challenges for the operating staff in the responsible control centres are thereby steadily increasing both in grid and system operations: - The rising share of decentralised energy sources (DER) inverses the power flow between TSO and DSO and leads to extended coordination needs between control centres. - Inaccurate forecasts for decentralised infeed and loading challenge system balancing. - In highly loaded systems each unavailable device (e.g. for service) endangers the (n-1) security, and lead to the risk of cascading effects, system splits and blackouts. Control centre staff is one key factor in operating the power system in a safe and secure way, especially in critical situations. The staff has to be steadily aware of the system state in the entire system. Technical knowledge and communication skills of the operators are key factors as well as, coordinated operational concepts and procedures. In interconnected operation, like in the European Network for Transmission System Operators ENTSO-E (ENTSO-E) [1], multiple Transmission System Operators (TSO) are together responsible for coordination and safe operation. The paper outlines the actual situation and challenges in interconnected systems, and the conditions for secure operation are described, with focus on required skills for operators in control centres. Based on that a training program for control centre operators is described, including setups for the training, objectives, organisation and scenarios, as it is actually performed for many operators in the ENTSO-E area [2]. It is elaborated, how the performance of a coordinated training program contributes to safe and secure operation and therefore increases the overall system resilience.