Modernize Your Infrastructure and Operations
Design, engineering and compliance solutions for critical, high-risk substation and system protection challenges.
As utilities continue to invest in system upgrades to support reliability and resiliency, substation modernization efforts that include robust protection and controls and high-tech automation functionality are essential. However, as the trend toward outsourcing engineering capabilities also continues, you need a partner you can rely on to successfully complete these critical and often high-risk projects.
From conceptual design through final commissioning, TRC provides turnkey solutions for all your system and substation protection and control challenges.
We deliver support at any level to match your unique needs and team structure. From strictly design services to full Engineering, Procurement and Construction support and Owner’s Engineering solutions, you can rely on TRC to help you achieve your goals.
Safeguard the Reliability of Your Substations and Systems
TRC works as an extension of your own staff to support standards development, new substation installations and additions or modifications to existing stations and systems. Our tested design engineers are well–versed in our clients’ standards and preferred practices. Through every phase of development, we deliver integrated solutions that optimize system performance and reliability, delivering undeniable benefits, such as:
- Efficient project startup: Our tested practitioners are skilled engineers who thoroughly plan and prepare to ensure quick mobilization of resources and clear project objectives.
- Smooth project execution: We maintain a project’s momentum and avoid delays through seamless coordination and proactive responses to challenges.
- High-quality results: Our compliance focus and rigorous quality control measures provide accuracy, reliability and excellence in the final output.
Comprehensive Protection and Control Engineering Solutions
Our experience includes:
- Conceptual Design
- Application Analysis
- Protection and Control Equipment Specification and Procurement
- Design Documents and Calculations
- Facility and Compliance Studies
- Fault Analysis and Coordination Studies
- Detailed Schematics
- Detailed Wiring and Cable Design
- Relay and Control Cabinet Design
- Protective Relay Settings
- Settings Calculations and Studies
- Short Circuit Analysis and Modeling
- Substation Automation, Integration and Communications
- RTU, DFR and SER Design
- Smart Grid Applications
- IEC 61850 Applications
- Distributed Generation Impact Studies
- Quality Control Services
- Program Management
- Owner’s Engineer
Empower Your Operations With TRC
Effective implementation of high-risk projects and control measures requires expertise and innovation. TRC’s protection and control engineers combine deep technical knowledge with a forward-thinking approach to deliver reliable, customized solutions for your most critical substation and system upgrades. Trust TRC to support your electrical protection and control projects with unparalleled professionalism and advanced engineering resources. Contact TRC for support on your electrical protection and control projects today.
Sharing Our Perspectives
Our practitioners share their insights and perspectives on the trends and challenges shaping the market.
NERC Proposes Implementation Guidance for PRC-019-2
August 22, 2022
NERC has proposed implementation guidance for PRC-019-2, the standard that verifies coordination of generating unit facility or synchronous condenser voltage regulating controls, limit functions, equipment capabilities and protection system settings.
Revisions to FAC-001 and FAC-002 Submitted for FERC Approval
July 12, 2022
Reliability Standards FAC-001-4 and FAC-002-will resolve uncertainty regarding the meaning of “materially modify” under the currently effective standards.
FERC Order No. 881-A Has Implications for NERC Compliance Programs
June 23, 2022
Updated Order will have significant impact on NERC compliance programs related to both PRC standards and facilities ratings. Utilities should review the Order’s requirements and prepare for changes needed to remain compliant.
NERC’s Revised PRC-024-3 Standard for Inverter-Based Generation Effective in October 2022
May 11, 2022
Changes to PRC-024-3 in support of inverter-based generation performance are going into effect in October of this year. Interconnection programs and documentation procedures may need to be updated in order to maintain compliance.
FERC Issues Notice of Inquiry Regarding Dynamic Line Ratings
April 25, 2022
There are significant technical challenges involved in implementing Dynamic Line Ratings in the planning and operation of utility systems. Utilities should be prepared to modify their NERC compliance programs as necessary to address the potential introduction of DLR in their businesses.
New NERC Guidance Supports the Implementation of Grid Forming Inverters
March 8, 2022
NERC has issued a new report highlighting the key attributes of various inverter controls to support proper implementation and to protect reliability.
NERC Recommends Approaches for Underfrequency Load Shedding Programs
February 24, 2022
In a recently released reliability guideline, NERC recommends additional approaches for Underfrequency Load Shedding (UFLS) program design to help utilities effectively consider the effects of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). The guidance was developed to address the accelerated transition of the power system to locally installed, decarbonized resources that depend on inverters. These new technologies introduce operational controls issues into the electric grid. UFLS data gathering and analysis methodologies may require modification to address reliability risks.
Prepare for Upcoming NERC Compliance Deadlines
August 20, 2021
With 2020 right around the corner, there are many new NERC standards and standards requirements set to go into effect in the areas of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Transmission Operations and Planning.
NERC Issues 2020 State of Reliability Report
September 22, 2020
The Report identifies areas of ongoing concern including generation reserve margins and the reliability risk from shifting the resource mix toward renewables.
NERC Issues Lessons Learned on Misoperations Due to Mixing Relay Technologies
August 13, 2020
On July 10, 2020 NERC released new Lessons Learned guidance to address situations where multiple composite protection systems have misoperated as a result of mixing protective relay technologies at the remote terminals of directional comparison blocking (DCB) schemes. This technical information will help utilities improve the reliability of the Bulk Power System.
NERC Reliability Standard PRC-024-3 Approved: Frequency and Voltage Protection Settings for Generating Resources
July 28, 2020
On July 9, 2020 NERC standard PRC-024-3 was approved, paving the way for improved protection systems in support of keeping generating resources connected during defined frequency and voltage excursions.
NERC Protection System Compliance Studies Due This Year
February 24, 2020
NERC’s PRC-027-1 standard was approved by FERC in 2018 and is set to go into effect on October 1, 2020. Utilities should begin preparing now to meet compliance requirements which include significant system studies.
NERC Reliability Report Prioritizes Power System Risks
November 21, 2019
Looking ahead to the many changes coming to North America’s Bulk Power System (BPS), NERC’s 2019 ERO Reliability Risk Priorities Report highlights the top issues requiring industry and regulatory attention and recommends actions for the ongoing protection of BPS reliability.
NERC to Modify Standard and Develop Compliance Guidance to Accommodate Inverter-Based Generation Technologies
February 20, 2019
Renewable energy systems have dramatically changed the power generation resource mix. These new generation technologies no longer involve directly coupled rotating generators which were once standard in the industry. Now, inverters that change Direct Current (DC) electricity to the Alternating Current (AC) electricity suitable for delivery via AC transmission systems are becoming more prevalent, raising reliability…
NERC Addresses Single Points of Failure in Protection Systems Among Other FERC Concerns
October 25, 2018
Under the proposed NERC TPL-001-5 standard, utilities with transmission planning responsibilities will be required to identify reliability risks related to protection system failures and take mandatory corrective action. It will be critical to have an in depth understanding of your company’s protection system settings and to perform the system studies necessary to identify where single points of failure may result in cascading tripping of transmission elements. Mitigation actions may require the installation of redundant protection systems which in turn may lead to significant substation redesign. Transmission planners and planning coordinators should begin preparing for any necessary protection system changes. TPL-001-5 Overview NERC began studying the reliability risk associated with single points of protection system failure starting in 2011 as directed in FERC Order 754. TPL-001-5 will bring significant changes for Planning Coordinators and Transmission Planners as they perform annual Planning Assessments. There is a new obligation to adequately account for the reliability risk posed by single point of protection system failure via risk-based Assessment. This reliability risk management approach will be implemented through modifications to the Category P5 Planning Event which is described in Table 1 of the TPL-001-5 standard. NERC believes that the most cost-effective Corrective Action Plans to address unacceptable system performance for the P5 Planning Events will likely be to add protection system component redundancy in certain cases. Protection system redundancy changes to address Category P5 Event system performance violations should reduce or even negate non-redundant component related risks that need to be considered in assessing transmission system performance. These risks will be identified during simulations of certain extreme events as required under the standard. TPL-001-5 also addresses reliability risks related to outage management as directed in FERC Order 786. The standard requires utility planners to consider maintenance outages of significant facilities as well as outages for critical long lead time to repair or replace equipment. Specifically, it addresses stability analysis to assess system performance for conditions expected during possible unavailability of long lead time equipment. Although it is not a NERC defined term, it is believed that a “spare equipment strategy will be sufficient to allow flexibility for utilities to conduct both steady state and stability analysis required by TPL-001-5. For example, a utility’s spare equipment strategy may include the warehousing of a replacement transformer to be installed given the failure of an in service transformer. When a utility’s spare equipment strategy may prevent major transmission equipment from being out-of-service for one year or more, this possible equipment unavailability need not be assessed as part of TPL-001-5.
