What are the benefits of a centralized monitoring system for HVDC installations?

ibaPDA acts as the central monitoring backbone and delivers full visibility into all relevant processes within an HVDC system. Its value lies in continuously capturing and synchronizing data from control systems, protection schemes, and measurement devices. Technically, data from multiple sources is aggregated via fiber optics and processed with high temporal resolution, creating a complete operational picture. In practice, this centralized visibility enables faster condition assessment, improves diagnostics, and helps operators maintain stable and efficient power transmission.

Why is high-frequency data acquisition critical for analyzing transient grid events?

With ibaPDA, data can be sampled at rates up to 100 kHz per channel—in the future, even 500 kHz with ibaMAQS and 1 MHz via ibaNet-E—making ultra-fast transient events fully observable. The key advantage is the precise analysis of dynamic phenomena such as switching operations or fault conditions. Technically, signals are recorded at very short intervals and stored with full resolution based on trigger conditions. In practice, this fine temporal granularity allows engineers to reconstruct millisecond-scale events accurately, enabling well-informed decisions to stabilize and optimize grid performance.

What options exist for analyzing power quality and process data together?

ibaPDA enables the integrated capture of raw measurements and calculated power quality metrics such as harmonics, flicker, and distortion factors. The benefit lies in directly correlating these parameters with plant operation. Technically, grid-synchronous energy data is aligned with time-synchronized process signals and stored centrally. Using ibaAnalyzer, these datasets can be examined in detail. In practice, this allows operators to pinpoint the root causes of quality fluctuations and implement targeted actions to improve power quality and system reliability.

What is the purpose of event- and trigger-based data recording in grid monitoring?

ibaPDA uses configurable triggers to selectively capture and store relevant events. The key benefit is that only meaningful data is retained with full time resolution, avoiding excessive data volumes. Technically, predefined conditions determine when buffered data is extracted and saved to files. In practice, this approach significantly streamlines analysis by ensuring that critical incidents are fully documented and immediately accessible without time-consuming data filtering.

What role does data synchronization play in analyzing complex power transmission systems?

ibaPDA provides precise time synchronization across multiple data sources, including support for standards such as PTP (IEEE 1588). This ensures that all signals can be analyzed on a unified timeline. From a technical perspective, measurements from different origins are aligned and processed consistently. In real-world applications, this allows accurate correlation of control signals, electrical values, and network events, making complex interactions transparent. This capability is essential in HVDC systems to understand dynamic behavior and maintain long-term system stability.

iba Measurement System Monitors One of Europe’s Largest HVDC Installations

More than Just a Fault Recorder

For the past year, one of the most powerful high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems in Europe has been operating between Spain and France. The system, which converts alternating current to direct current for transmission, enables the exchange of up to 2 × 1,000 MW of electrical power between the two countries, serving as a model for the integrated European energy market. To continuously monitor this power transmission, Siemens relies on the modular measurement system from iba. Capable of recording up to 20,000 measurements per second, the system can capture and analyze even extremely short-term electrical phenomena.

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Cross-Border Power

A € 700 Million HVDC Link Between France and Spain

On behalf of the utilities Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE) from France and Red Eléctrica de España (REE) from Spain, Siemens built two converter stations from 2010 to 2015 – one in Baixas, France, and one in Santa Llogaia, Spain – at a cost of € 700 million. The project company Inelfe (Interconnexion Electrique France Espagne) was established to oversee construction.

The two stations use converters to transform three-phase AC power into DC, which is then transmitted over a 65-kilometer underground 320 kV DC cable. At the receiving station, the DC is converted back into AC and adjusted to match local grid parameters such as frequency and phase angle. This seamless interconnection of two national grids has effectively doubled the transmission capacity between Spain and France. The installation helps alleviate congestion in Europe’s broader power transmission network.

For Siemens, the project also showcases the HVDC Plus technology, which transmits power at ±320 kV using Voltage-Sourced Converters (VSC) in a compact Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) design. Unlike traditional thyristor-based line-commutated converters, the HVDC Plus technology uses IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors), allowing self-commutation and enabling the creation of arbitrary output voltage waveforms. This makes the system black-start capable, meaning it can independently restore a grid segment after an outage without relying on an external network.

Additionally, these converters offer fast control and protection functions that contribute to greater grid stability.

A Longstanding Partnership

To continuously monitor HVDC operations, Siemens uses iba’s modular and scalable measurement system in all of its HVDC installations. The system is used both as a digital fault recorder and for monitoring control systems in the converter stations’ electrical auxiliary systems and for analyzing power quality.

“For innovation to succeed, long-term partnerships are essential. They pay off more than short-term savings from seemingly cheaper new providers,” explains Martin Haushofer, Key Expert in DC Hardware Engineering for HVDC systems at Siemens. “This has proven especially true in our collaboration with iba.”

Much like a flight recorder, the iba system logs values from Siemens’ Pluscontrol and SIMATIC TDC control systems, as well as current and voltage transformer signals. In addition to capturing raw electrical data, the system now provides advanced power quality metrics such as harmonics, interharmonics, flicker, crest factor, and total harmonic distortion.

The measurement system can handle disturbances that far exceed nominal current levels. It supports measurements of 1 A under nominal conditions and up to 100 A during overload events, with 16-bit resolution in both cases. When a fault occurs, data is recorded with full temporal resolution based on a trigger. This allows precise analysis of grid disturbances and other events. Long-term logging and both custom and standards-based reporting can be added as needed. Since the system also captures digital values from the control system, it’s ideal for monitoring the converter and control logic.

“This is a critical function, as the HVDC installation must continuously adapt to changing grid conditions in both countries and relies on precise control,” explains Maria Dimitsanti, specialist in energy transmission systems at iba. The system must not only continuously adjust its output to match demand but also be capable of rapidly reversing power flow direction.

High-Speed Measurement: 20,000 Samples per Second

At the heart of the monitoring setup is the ibaPDA process data acquisition system, which connects via fiber optics to analog-digital conversion units and signal capture cards from the control system. Data from various sources flows into ibaPDA thanks to its broad connectivity capabilities.

“The iba system stands out from conventional fault recorders due to its direct integration with the Siemens control system,” says Dimitsanti. Users can group related signals by topic or function and define triggers that tell the system when to permanently save data to .dat files instead of temporarily buffering it. With the analysis software ibaAnalyzer, users can identify correlations and investigate causes of faults and power quality deviations. One key challenge: many faults in HVDC systems last only fractions of a second. That’s why ibaPDA operates at high sampling rates – up to 20 kHz, or 20,000 measurements per second per signal. Using compatible AD converters from iba, sampling rates up to 100 kHz are possible. This enables in-depth analysis of transient events lasting only milliseconds. With built-in alarm functions, operators can be alerted in real time and respond immediately. Long-term statistics can also be generated to optimize system performance.

Guaranteed EEQ Measurements per EN50160

Grid operators must ensure electrical energy quality in accordance with the European EN50160 standard. As the share of decentralized and renewable energy sources increases, so do fluctuations in energy availability, which can compromise grid stability. Poor power quality can damage sensitive electronics and result in costly system failures.

The iba system supports compliance with EN50160 by logging both raw and calculated Electrical Energy Quality (EEQ) values in the central ibaPDA database. This enables users to perform comprehensive evaluations, understand system behavior, and trace the root causes of faults or quality issues. Special synchronization mechanisms align grid-synchronous EEQ data with time-synchronous process parameters. As a result, power quality metrics can be correlated with the HVDC system’s operating modes.

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Supporting a Stable European Power Supply

HVDC installations like the one operated by Inelfe lay the groundwork for a robust and integrated European power market. By enabling cross-border interconnections, these systems help mitigate congestion and balance local fluctuations in power generation and consumption.

The VSC-MMC technology enhances grid safety and reliability. It also provides a degree of protection against wide-area oscillations that are otherwise difficult to control in Europe’s interconnected power system.

For innovation to succeed, long-term partnerships are essential. This has proven especially true in our collaboration with iba.

Martin Haushofer
Key Expert Hardware Engineering, Siemens Energy

Used Functions

The following functions of the iba system are used in this success story.

Time Synchronization and Standards Support
- Full Support for Common Grandmaster Clocks Using PTP (IEEE 1588 and IEC 61850-9-3)
- Data Synchronization Independent of Data Source
Triggering and Data Storage
- Freely Configurable Trigger and Event Definitions
- Flexible Storage Duration With Configurable Pre- and Post-Trigger Times
Visualization and Analysis
Power Quality Monitoring
- Customizable Reporting or Standards-Based Reporting (e.g., EN 50160)
Communication and Interfaces
- IEC 61850 Interface Supports MMS, GOOSE, Sampled Values, and File Transfer
Hardware and Compliance
- Galvanically Isolated I/O Inputs Compliant to IEC 61000-6-5
- Sampling Rates up to 100 kHz

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the benefits of a centralized monitoring system for HVDC installations?: ibaPDA acts as the central monitoring backbone and delivers full visibility into all relevant processes within an HVDC system. Its value lies in continuously capturing and synchronizing data from control systems, protection schemes, and measurement devices. Technically, data from multiple sources is aggregated via fiber optics and processed with high temporal resolution, creating a complete operational picture. In practice, this centralized visibility enables faster condition assessment, improves diagnostics, and helps operators maintain stable and efficient power transmission.
Why is high-frequency data acquisition critical for analyzing transient grid events?: With ibaPDA, data can be sampled at rates up to 100 kHz per channel—in the future, even 500 kHz with ibaMAQS and 1 MHz via ibaNet-E—making ultra-fast transient events fully observable. The key advantage is the precise analysis of dynamic phenomena such as switching operations or fault conditions. Technically, signals are recorded at very short intervals and stored with full resolution based on trigger conditions. In practice, this fine temporal granularity allows engineers to reconstruct millisecond-scale events accurately, enabling well-informed decisions to stabilize and optimize grid performance.
What options exist for analyzing power quality and process data together?: ibaPDA enables the integrated capture of raw measurements and calculated power quality metrics such as harmonics, flicker, and distortion factors. The benefit lies in directly correlating these parameters with plant operation. Technically, grid-synchronous energy data is aligned with time-synchronized process signals and stored centrally. Using ibaAnalyzer, these datasets can be examined in detail. In practice, this allows operators to pinpoint the root causes of quality fluctuations and implement targeted actions to improve power quality and system reliability.
What is the purpose of event- and trigger-based data recording in grid monitoring?: ibaPDA uses configurable triggers to selectively capture and store relevant events. The key benefit is that only meaningful data is retained with full time resolution, avoiding excessive data volumes. Technically, predefined conditions determine when buffered data is extracted and saved to files. In practice, this approach significantly streamlines analysis by ensuring that critical incidents are fully documented and immediately accessible without time-consuming data filtering.
What role does data synchronization play in analyzing complex power transmission systems?: ibaPDA provides precise time synchronization across multiple data sources, including support for standards such as PTP (IEEE 1588). This ensures that all signals can be analyzed on a unified timeline. From a technical perspective, measurements from different origins are aligned and processed consistently. In real-world applications, this allows accurate correlation of control signals, electrical values, and network events, making complex interactions transparent. This capability is essential in HVDC systems to understand dynamic behavior and maintain long-term system stability.