MAAC Under-Frequency Load Shedding Program Requirements

(Document B-8)

Revision Date: June 21, 2005

Revision Date:June 29, 2000
Approved by the Area Coordination Committee on May 1, 2000

Document B-8
MAAC Underfrequency Load Shedding Requirements

1.0

Introduction
The frequency of a power system will change when the load-generation equilibrium is
disturbed. If the unbalance is caused by a deficiency of generation, the system
frequency will decay to a value at which load-generation equilibrium is reestablished.
If equilibrium cannot be established, system collapse will occur.
When the power systems self-regulation is insufficient to promote the establishment
of a stable state, the system frequency will continue to decay unless some means is
provided to force a load-generation balance. Automatic underfrequency load shedding
is the accepted means of reestablishing this load-generation balance within the time
constraints necessary to avoid system collapse.
Even though underfrequency load shedding relays are usually installed at voltage
levels below the normal concern of MAAC, underfrequency load shedding relay
systems are considered part of the bulk power system.
The acceptable boundaries of frequency decay and the magnitude of the load to be
shed by the automatic underfrequency load shedding program are determined by
comprehensive tests on models of the system taking into account established load
rejection practices.
The MAAC Reliability Principles and Standards (A-1) requires the use of system
preservation measures such as underfrequency load shedding relays to prevent
widespread system disturbances. In the MAAC Protective Relaying Philosophy and
Design Standards (A-2, Section 2.7), set points and load shedding amounts are
prescribed for underfrequency load shedding schemes.

2.0

Underfrequency Relay Application

It is essential that sufficient generation remain in service so that the objective of the
automatic underfrequency load shedding program is achieved. Generator Protection
Underfrequency relays should be set to trip the generator at a frequency lower than the
last step of the underfrequency load shedding program. It must be recognized that
generating units may also trip during underfrequency conditions due to loss of plant
auxiliary equipment. For example, underfrequency relays are often used at nuclear
plants on electrical systems that are used to monitor or supply critical reactor systems.
These set points must be considered when evaluating the performance of the
underfrequency load shedding program. The amount of load to be shed at each step of
the load shedding program should take into account any known generator MW that
will trip at that frequency level or higher due to underfrequency relay protection or
loss of auxiliary equipment.
In this document, underfrequency relays that operate at a discrete frequency value are
called underfrequency threshold relays.

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Document B-8
MAAC Underfrequency Load Shedding Requirements
Selection of underfrequency sensing devices should be on a threshold basis.
Alternatively, rate of change of frequency load shedding may be used when the
requirements of the Area indicate that this method will achieve the intent of the load
shedding program. Appropriate studies are necessary to determine the application and
settings of the rate of change of frequency relays for a particular Area.

3.0

Setting

3.1

Pickup Setting
Load-shedding schemes are required for dropping 30% of the Electric Distribution
Company (EDC) load in response to a system underfrequency condition in accordance
with the following set points:
Amount of Load to be Dropped
10%
10%
10%

Minimum Frequency Set Point

59.3 Hz
58.9 Hz
58.5 Hz

Load may be shed in more than three steps provided the above schedule is maintained.
The load-shedding scheme shall be distributed in application as opposed to
centralized. Loads tripped by the load-shedding scheme shall require manual
restoration (local or remote). Automatic restoration based on frequency recovery is
prohibited.
For loads with multiple sources (e.g., two-breaker or breaker-and-a-half
configurations) provisions should be made in the control to prevent loads which have
been tripped by the load-shedding scheme from being prematurely re-energized as a
result of automatic transfers which could be initiated during the course of the
disturbance.
3.2

Time Delay Setting

The underfrequency detection scheme shall be secure for a failure of a potential
supply, and shall incorporate a 0.1 second (maximum) time delay. Longer time delays
have been used to override the frequency decay associated with de-energized motor
load. However, other techniques are preferred; for example, supervision of the
underfrequency relay with a current detector, or the use of two underfrequency relays
supplied from independent sources and connected such that both must operate to
produce a trip.

4.0

Performance Requirements
Underfrequency relays should be selected which are capable of maintaining 0.2 Hz
stability in set point and 0.1 seconds in time delay.

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Document B-8
MAAC Underfrequency Load Shedding Requirements
Any underfrequency relay, which has been found to drift more than 0.2 Hz from its
set point or 0.1 seconds from its time delay, should be calibrated.
4.1

Uniform Response
In order for each Member System to shed approximately the same proportion of load,
given the same frequency condition, all styles and manufacture of underfrequency
relays must trip at essentially the same time. For electromechanical relays, time delay
depends on rate of frequency decline, and it is not possible to achieve uniform
response for different rates of decline. The recommendations in this guideline are
based on the goal of a uniform response at a rate of frequency decline.

4.2

Additional Application Consideration

Where undesired underfrequency relay operation can be caused by decaying frequency
due to isolated generation or motor load, additional supervising undercurrent or
voltage relays may be used to prevent misoperation.

5.0

Maintenance
Protection systems required by the MAAC automatic underfrequency load shedding
program have a direct effect on the operation of the bulk power system during major
emergencies. As such, this protection must be maintained in compliance with the PJM
Protection System Maintenance Guidelines, even though these relays are usually
located in non-bulk power system stations.

6.0

Coordination
Automatic load shedding equipment should be coordinated among electric system
elements, with neighboring electric systems and neighboring regions to preserve
electric system integrity.

7.0

Operation Logging and Analysis

When an underfrequency load-shedding event occurs, the event must be reported by
the UFLS owner to the MAAC Staff and after the fact analysis must be performed by
the MAAC Staff. Section 4 of the MAAC Requirements for Protection System
Operation Reporting and Analysis (Document C-3) details the reporting and analysis
required.

8.0

Database Requirements
MAAC Staff shall coordinate creation and population of a MAAC Underfrequency
Load Shedding Database. This database shall be maintained and updated at least once
a year. The database shall include sufficient detail so as to determine the MW amount
and distribution of load under underfrequency control at each load shedding step at
summer peak conditions and to model the action of underfrequency load shedding
schemes in dynamics packages.

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MAAC Underfrequency Load Shedding Requirements

9.0

Analysis Requirements
Technical assessment and documentation of the effectiveness of the design and
implementation of the Regional UFLS program shall be conducted periodically by
MAAC Staff. The assessments shall (at least every five years or as required by
changes in system conditions) include, but not be limited to a review of the frequency
set points and timing, and dynamic simulation of possible disturbance that causes
MAAC to experience the largest imbalance between demand (load) and generation.

10.0 Document Review

This document shall be reviewed and approved by the MAAC Planning Committee at
least every 3 years. The PJM Relay Subcommittee may be consulted for technical
considerations.

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