Genstar4 Electronic Dispatch and Logging (EDL)

The Electronic Dispatch and Logging (EDL) module interfaces to the National Grid Balancing Mechanism for the exchange of information in near-to real-time as stipulated in the Grid Code.

The EDL module manages communication with the National Grid EDL messaging interface that is installed at each station, site, control point or Enegen Enterprise Private Cloud (EPC) hosted EDL environment or to the National Grid Wider Access API end points.

This module provides access to the National Grid messaging system, so it allows operators to submit operational dynamic parameters for generation assets to National Grid and to receive dispatch instructions for Bid-Offer Acceptances and Ancillary Services. This enables operators to respond to instructions to change output levels in real-time.

The EDL module supports the following activities:

• Sending changes in operational plant dynamic data to National Grid including:
  • Submission of multiple MEL following a delayed start.
  • Delayed / scheduled submission of pre-planned non-time varying submissions.
  • EDL library submission sets for time-varying (e.g. MEL) and non-time varying (e.g. ramp rates) submissions.
  • Automated acceptance of Bid and Offer Acceptances (BOAs) within specific tolerances.
• Automatic calculation and submission of ETR and Remit notifications to MODIS.
• Receiving BOAs from National Grid.
• Receiving Ancillary Service Instructions from National Grid.
• Maintaining Logs of Submissions, BOAs and Ancillary Instructions.
• Submission of the revised MEL and MIL following the receipt of a BOA for battery assets (in accordance with National Grid rules).

Genstar4 provides APIs to automate communication (submissions and instructions) with external systems (e.g. ATOM or a plant control system).

EDL Communication with National Grid

The EDL module supports the user at their Control Centre for accepting National Grid instructions for Balancing and Ancillary Service dispatch, and for creating operational data submissions. EDL can support fully automated operations.

The following functionality is provided:

• A visual indicator shows the connection status between the Control Centre and National Grid.
• An Instruction display screen shows the most recent history of Balancing and Ancillary Service Instructions.
• A prioritized display of a ‘New Instruction’ alert window displays the Instruction details whenever a new Instruction is received.
• If connection with National Grid is lost, the Instruction screen allows the user to capture telephoned instructions through input dialogues.
• If there is a change to the value of a BM Unit operational parameter, the user at the Control Centre can submit the new value immediately to National Grid.
• A Submission display screen shows the recent history of operational plant data notified to National Grid, including the current value of each submission data type. The submission data types are:
  • Maximum Export or Import Limit
  • Stable (Minimum) Export/Import Limit
  • Minimum On and Off Times
  • Notice to Deviate from Zero (Start)
  • Notice to Deliver Bids/Offers
  • Run Up and Run Down Rates for Import/Export

Control Room Automation

Genstar4 provides powerful flexibility to enable asset operators and VLPs to automate their operations.

A number of options are provided for the automation of BOA instruction acceptances, namely:

• Continuous BOAs – if the BOA is a continuation of a previously accepted Instruction, accept automatically.
• Accept the BOA if it passes validation (e.g. starts and finishes on PN or within tolerance of PN).
• If the BOA is between MEL and SEL boundaries, accept the Instruction.
• Accept the Instruction in all cases.

In addition, the process of validation and acceptance when Genstar4 is integrated via APIs with a plant control system also has a number of options:

• Validate the BOA in Genstar4 and accept/reject accordingly; communicate an accepted Instruction to the control system.
• Upon receipt, communicate Instruction to the control system for validation. Await confirmation message from plant control system before sending acceptance/rejection to National Grid.
• Accept the BOA regardless of validation and send the Instruction to the control system immediately.

Control Room Configuration

National Grid provides two mechanisms for communication - either fixed line MPLS circuits or APIs (Wider Access).

The Wider Access APIs may be used if a single site is less than 100MW capacity or a participants’ portfolio is less than 300MW. Above these thresholds fixed EDT and EDL circuits must be installed.

For participants exceeding the Wider Access thresholds, Grid Code requires that each asset has a designated control point, at which National Grid will commission a network line and router, and supply an EDL communication protocol stack (“CTC message client”) for installation on a PC which requires a dedicated network card for the EDL link.

Enegen can provide a hosted solution including EDT and EDL circuits which dramatically reduced time to market considerations for participants.

The EDL module manages fully flexible arrangements of BM Units into multiple control-desk configurations, which may be designated as active (controlling) or passive (display only).

Genstar4 also provides full support for dispatching power stations via EDT.

To learn more about power station dispatch in the UK visit the EDL and EDT pages or Contact Enegen for a product demonstration of Genstar4.

Click here to request a call back or telephone +44 (0)23 9431 7620