Project Combination and Connection Example

Project combination and connection was introduced in PowerFactory version 2017.

It is a two stage process, the first step being combining two or more projects into one, using the Project
Combination Assistant, and the second step being the connection of the separate networks, using the Project
Connection Assistant (alternatively this second step can be carried out entirely manually by the user).

There are two different methods for connecting the projects, so two pairs of projects are provided in this
example:

‘Proj Comb - Distr Network (nodes)’ and ‘Proj Comb - Trans Network (nodes)’ are a distribution and a
transmission network which have been configured in preparation for connection using the virtual nodes
method.

‘Proj Comb - Distr Network (switches)’ and ‘Proj Comb - Trans Network (switches)’ are a distribution and a
transmission network which have been configured in preparation for connection using the foreign key
method.

Method 1 – connection by virtual nodes

First import the projects ‘Proj Comb - Distr Network (nodes)’ and ‘Proj Comb - Trans Network (nodes)’, but
do not activate either of them, as a new project is going to be created.

Select the Additional Tools toolbar and click on the Project Combination Assistant icon .

In the dialog box that comes up, use the Add project button to add the two projects. A version inside each
project must be selected; in our example it is Version 1 in both cases. Then execute. This combines the
project into a new project, and activates it.Before moving to the connection step, a common study case has
to be created and the grids activated. Expand the study case folders, right-click on one study case, and select
‘Apply network state’, clicking OK for the new study case.

Right-click on the other source study case, and select ‘Apply network state’. It is not essential to “Apply
network state for more than one study case, but it will ensure that all grids are active.

Note that the new study case will have default study case settings, which may need adapting.

In these projects there are two common points of connection. The nodes have the same names in each
network and in order to prepare for connection they have been moved into separate grids. These have also
been given the same name (‘Fictitious Border Node’) in each network. There is no set naming convention but
the grid and node names must be the same in each source network for the connection process to work.
Now from the Additional Tools toolbar select the Project Connection Assistant.

Select the connection method ‘by virtual nodes’ and select one of the ‘Fictitious Border Node’ grids – it
doesn’t matter which.

Click on Execute.

You will see that a new border grid is created and the two networks are joined through new border terminals.
Existing graphics can be activated and viewed but note that at the two border points the graphics are still
referring to the (now deactivated) old border terminals, so would need updating.

Method 1 – connection by foreign key

First import the projects ‘Proj Comb - Distr Network (switches)’ and ‘Proj Comb - Trans Network (switches)’,
but do not activate either of them, as a new project is going to be created.

This connection method works where networks are configured with switches that are only connected on one
side. The other side remains unconnected to anything. The connection process identifies such switches and
pairs them up using their identical foreign keys. (In fact, to avoid duplication of foreign keys in one project,
all elements automatically have their foreign key prefixed by a code such as “001:” when the projects are
combined. These prefixes are disregarded when searching for the switch pairs.)
Select the Additional Tools toolbar and click on the Project Combination Assistant icon .

In the dialog box that comes up, use the Add project button to add the two projects. A version inside each
project must be selected; in our example it is Version 1 in both cases. Then execute. This combines the
project into a new project, and activates it.

Before moving to the connection step, a common study case has to be created and the grids activated.
Expand the study case folders, right-click on one study case, and select ‘Apply network state’.

Repeat with the other study case. It is not essential to “Apply network state” for more than one study case,
but it will ensure that all grids are active.

Note that the new study case will have default study case settings, which may need adapting.

Now from the Additional Tools toolbar select the Project Connection Assistant .

Select the connection method ‘by foreign key. Click on Execute. A box appears showing the connections that
have been made.

Note that at each connection point one of the two switches is eliminated. In this example it is the 110kV
switches. The switches which remain have to be closed manually (in this example) to complete the
connection.

Figure 1 shows the appearance of the distribution grid after the networks have been connected via
switches. When a load flow is executed, the power flows across the connection points can be seen.
Figure 1 – Distribution network after connection via foreign key (switches)

As a final general observation, whenever projects are combined it is important to ensure that any redundant
elements (such as external grids or loads representing the other network) are removed either before or after
the networks are joined.