Dynamic Congestion Manager (DCM)

Overview

Dynamic Contingency Manager (DCM) is Splight’s real-time control solution that protects the power grid during thermal contingencies. When a transmission line or transformer is at risk of overload, DCM takes immediate, automated action—by regulating or disconnecting selected fast-responding generators (e.g., solar or wind)—to maintain system reliability.

By proactively responding to faults in less than 500ms, DCM allows transmission systems to operate closer to their true physical limits, reducing unnecessary curtailment and increasing effective capacity without new infrastructure.

Required Inputs

DCMG relies on high-frequency, high-integrity real-time telemetry from both generators and grid elements. Input data must be delivered through one of Splight’s supported protocols via a configured connector.

Real-Time Input Attributes

For Each Generator:

Attribute
Description
Required?
Frequency
Protocol

active_power

Current power output

Yes

At least every 1 seconds

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

available_power

Max possible output

Yes

At least every 1 seconds

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

frequency

Local frequency measurement

Yes

At least every 1 seconds

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

reactive_power

Current reactive power

Yes

At least every 1 seconds

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

For Each Transmission Line:

Attribute
Description
Required?
Frequency
Protocol

active_power_start

Active power flow at the start node of the line (in MW)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

active_power_end

Active power flow at the end node of the line (in MW)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

breaker_status

Line breaker status: open or closed

Yes

On change

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

current_r_start

Phase R current at the start node (RMS, in A)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

current_r_end

Phase R current at the end node (RMS, in A)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

current_s_start

Phase S current at the start node (RMS, in A)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

current_s_end

Phase S current at the end node (RMS, in A)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

current_t_start

Phase T current at the start node (RMS, in A)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

current_t_end

Phase T current at the end node (RMS, in A)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

frequency

System frequency measured at either start or end of the line (in Hz)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

reactive_power_start

Reactive power flow at the start node of the line (in MVAR)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

reactive_power_end

Reactive power flow at the end node of the line (in MVAR)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

switch_status_start

Disconnector or switch status at the start node (open/closed)

Yes

On change

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

switch_status_end

Disconnector or switch status at the end node (open/closed)

Yes

On change

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

voltage_start

Line-to-neutral voltage at the start node (RMS, in kV)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

voltage_end

Line-to-neutral voltage at the end node (RMS, in kV)

Yes

At least every 1 second

MQTT, Modbus, DNP3

Metadata Requirements

For each Generator:

Metadata
Description
Required?
Example

max_capacity

Generator nameplate capacity

Yes

100 MW

For the Grid:

Metadata
Description
Required?
Example

maximum_allowed_diconnection

Provided by the electrical study performed by Splight

Yes

303MW

Note: Telemetry must be timestamped, aligned to UTC ±30s, and reported at consistent intervals. Poor-quality data (missing updates, stale timestamps, or low resolution) will reduce DCMG effectiveness and may block activation.

Features

DCMG generates standardized analytics and visualizations tailored for grid operations teams. These outputs are designed to support operational awareness, planning, and compliance.

Metric
Description
Unit

Generator Output (Real-Time)

Real-time active power per generator visualized on the grid topology

MW

Historical Generator Output

Time-series view of generator active power across selected time ranges

MW over time

Line Loading (Real-Time)

Real-time active power flow through each monitored line

MW

Historical Line Loading

Historical power flow data for each line, with filtering and playback controls

MW over time

Disconnection Matrix

A contingency-action matrix where rows represent monitored grid elements (e.g., lines, transformers) and columns represent generators. Each cell defines the fast control command Splight will execute if that contingency occurs — either full disconnection or ramp-down (e.g., reduce to 22 MW or 78%).

MW or %

Total Transferred Power

Total active power transferred through the monitored grid, including a breakdown of baseline vs. additional energy enabled by Splight's real-time dynamic capacity

MW

Recovered Curtailment

Accumulated curtailed energy that would have been lost without DCMG interventions, representing net reliability and revenue gains

MWh saved

Control Capabilities

DCMG includes automated control logic that can issue real-time commands to generator control systems under contingency conditions.

Control Logic Summary

  • Monitors all designated lines and transformers for contingnecy events

  • If contingency occurs, references the disconnection matrix

  • Sends a forced set_point command to affected generators

  • Commands are issued within 500ms of contingency detection

Commands Issued

Command
Trigger
Target

set_point = 0 MW

Breaker trip → disconnection matrix activated

Solar/Wind generator

set_point = X MW

Generator ramps down as partial regulation

Wind farm or solar array

Safety Controls

  • All set points are bounded by asset metadata and connector-enforced limits

  • Fallback mode ensures no commands are sent if input telemetry is unavailable or inconsistent

  • All actions logged and timestamped in Splight’s control audit log

Operating Constraints

DCMG is validated under the following conditions. For deployments that exceed these bounds, contact your Implementation Manager for a custom architecture plan.

Limits comming soon

Deployment Notes

  • Requires the pre-defined Equivalent Grid SLD modeled and approved by Splight

  • Cannot be deployed without valid connector mappings for all required telemetry

  • Must be configured and verified by Splight’s Implementation Team prior to activation

  • Operates in Control Mode only after passing commissioning validation (Users can run or request software in the loop testing reports)

Support

For assistance with onboarding, telemetry setup, or understanding control behavior, contact your Implementation Manager or email [email protected].

Watch this video walkthrough

Video comming soon

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