Black start test of the Swedish power system

This paper reports on the black start test of the Swedish power system, performed by Svenska Kraftnat, early October 2010. The tests, performed on a regular basis, aim at verifying the black start capability of the Swedish and Nordic system, with respect to total black start of a number of power stations, energizing of major transmission lines, synchronizing of additional power stations, energizing of more lines, and finally system loading. The test system includes three major power stations and a controllable load. The test is focused on voltage control and governor control, of the entire test system, as well as on the capability of the individual power units. During the test, synchronized phasor measurements were performed in two major power stations and in substations along the power system. The recordings show that the black start strategy applied, as well as the generating units involved, are very well suited for black start of the Nordic system. The test system was exposed to stepwise load increases of 100 MW, and responded very accurately. Minor shortcomings in the frequency control were observed. The black start test also serves as a performance quality check of the normal operation ancillary services provided by the generators involved in the test. One of the PMUs used for the recordings was perfectly synchronized with a 140 m long antenna cable.