GCC POWER 2025 - THEMES

Key topics will include:

GCC CIGRE welcomes papers to be considered for the technical program in any of the following areas:

Theme 1: System Operation and Control

»   Challenges in operations of interconnected power systems

»   Managing new challenges in operationalplanning and real-time operation of Power Systems

»   Control Decision making tools and methods, system visualization techniques.

»   Utility experiences in wide area modeling and assessment of WAMS.

»   New applications in system operation and control for detection and mitigation of system conditions.

»   Evolution of operation reliability standards in the context of open markets and reduced security margins.

»   Criteria and standards level metrics and performance indicators.

»   Implications of climate change on the electric power system.

»   Specification, assessment and improvement of System Technical Performance.

»   Coordination, lightning protection, power quality and power system security.

»   Influence of environmental stresses (such as lightning & pollution) on power system reliability.

»   The interaction of electrical equipment and customer installations with the power system.

»   Experiences and developments in GCC interconnected systems operations. 

Theme 2: System Development & Economics

»   Planning of long term network developments, economic vs. non-economic, probability, risk, impact.

»   Development of a capital expenditure plan, business organization, performance indicators.

»   Planning and investing for effective supply restoration plans.

»   Strategic environmental assessment methodologies in the planning of system expansion.

»   Adequacy and security in Generation and Transmission in the context of the future generation mix and location.

»   Planning approaches to mitigate technical limits and constraints imposed by rapid expansion of GCC power systems.

Theme 3: Electricity Markets and Regulation

»   Prospects and experiences of electricity trading and creation of electricity markets

»   Obstacles and solutions to mitigate the development of electricity markets

»   Electricity Market standards, models, mechanics, design and business models for GCC and Arab Countries

»   Regulatory aspects related to Energy Policies & Policy developments, and Market Rules.

»   Incentives for investing in generation and transmission in an electricity market environment.

»   Investment criteria (for generation and transmission) in a market environment, role of capacity markets.

»   Interactions between system security rules and market rules.

»   Harmonization of grid codes and transmission tariffs structures for trading between Interconnected systems.

Theme 4: Distribution Systems

»   Integration issues at the planning and operation stage, experience: impact of large scale integration, constraints.

»   Concepts and technologies for active distribution networks. 

Theme 5: Substations, Switchgear and HV Equipment

»       Impact of stronger constraints with respect to footprint, severe climatic conditions and public amenity on substation design

»      EHV/UHV substations for GCC and Arab region

»      Design and application of GIL for bulk power transmission

»      Impacts of new/future network concept changes on substation design. 

»       Residual life estimation – Risk assessment, replacement or refurbishment options

»      Uprating of substations and existing equipment to increase network capacity

»      Technical solutions for extension of substations on already existing footprint

»      Reducing the impact of substations on the environment 

»      End of life assessment (age, capability, reliability, technical risks, and expertise).

»      Refurbishment and replacement strategies.

»      Application of monitoring and condition assessment techniques.

»      Operation of equipment beyond design life.

»      Testing of hybrid switchgear assemblies.

»      Acceptance and experience of new substation equipment and techniques

»      Applications of surge arresters (mid-line, non-line to ground).

»      Non-conventional instrument transformers, IEC 61850 and monitoring and intelligence within equipment.

»      Mixed technology and composite insulated switchgear.

Theme 6: Substation Protection and Automation

»       New requirements and concepts for Substation Automation and Protection

»      Impact of Process-Bus (IEC61850-9-2) on protection and substation automation Systems (system reliability / system architecture / experiences so far).

»      Protection coordination and special protection systems for interconnected power systems

»      Life cycle management of protection and control systems.

»      Innovative testing techniques for protection and substation automation systems. 

Theme 7: Transformer Design, Manufacturing, Life Cycle and Performance

»       Fire and explosion prevention: new oils, new bushing technologies, avoidance of tank rupture, effectiveness of existing test standards (for equipment and material) in failure prevention, design factors and improvements.

»      Fire mitigation: use of fluids with high fire point, fire wall, distances, sprinklers, risk assessment, modeling of internal  overpressures by 3D methods

»      Experiences of power transformers monitoring, incidents, failures and repairs

»      Thermal, electrical and environmental performances.

»      Reliability and economic aspects.

»      Effects of transients on performances.

»      maintenance practice, diagnostic, new technologies, life assessment, use of online monitoring system and expert system

»      Loading, switching operations, experiences in service, system aspects, new applications and designs.

»       Reinvestment policy options: Purchasing vs. "refurbishment to new" (technical economical comparisons, use of spares units, reliability, testing, technical improvements on aged units).

»      Diagnostics, risk assessment, post-mortem post scrapping investigations, on-line monitoring, moisture assessment, maintenance operation (drying, online degassers and dehumidifiers), quality controls.

»      Corrosive Oils & mitigation technique, re-inhibiting and metal passivators experiences.

»      Reliability, condition assessment, end of life evaluation. 

»      Design, manufacturing processes, application and performance of different winding types and material.

»      Experience and evaluation of winding mechanical (short-circuit and load noise), thermal, dielectric and efficiency performance.

»      Effects of ageing and maintenance practices on transformers performance.

»      Design of large transformers and its imapcts on transformers life cycle and rate of failure

Theme 8: Overhead Lines and Insulated Cables

»       Techniques, new innovative solutions, diagnostic tools and methods for line up rating and optimized use of existing capacities.

»      Maintenance and refurbishment methods based on diagnostic tools and methods.

»      Increasing reliability and security by improving electrical and mechanical performances: mechanical strength coordination, foundation assessment, de-icing methods, anti-cascading towers, wind vibration issues, etc...

»      Solutions for a quick recovery: emergency structures, details of fault and emergency recovery plans; construction of temporary lines,

»       Design, installations & in - experiences service.

»      Maintenance policies

»      Diagnostic methods applied to Cable Systems.

»      Remaining Life Assessment Methods.

Theme 9: HVDC and FACTS Technology

HVDC and FACTS technology

»   HVDC and FACTS as a means to improve System Capacity, Performance and Efficiency.

»   New technologies for HVDC and FACTS in AC Networks. 

HVDC and FACTs Schemes

»   Operational Performance of existing HVDC interconnections, Upgrading / replacement of older projects.

»   Feasibility studies of new HVDC projects.

»   Planning, Design and Reliability criteria and characteristics of new HVDC projects, including considerations on overload capabilities and market aspects.

»   Issues and experiences with ground return and ground electrodes.

»   Operational performance and system impact of existing FACTs.

Theme 10: Renewable Energy and Nuclear Energy for the Gulf States

»   Grid Codes , Policy & regulation requirements for nonconventional generation

»   Development of renewable energy sources and storage systems for GCC

»   Designs and methods to improve control grid stability, voltage dip survival, stabilization after grid faults, and provide reactive power control and energy storage.

»   Drivers and opportunities for nuclear energy in the Gulf States

»   Innovative nuclear technologies to meet GCC growing power demands

»   Nuclear Fuel cycles and disposing methodologies for the GCC countries

Theme 11: Smart Grids

»   Grid Code, Policy & regulation for smart grids

»   Experiences in implementing Smart Grids in GCC and Arab region

»   Growing complexities in Modern Grids leading to the drivers and opportunities for smart grids

»   Design and development of smart grids to address capabilities required for managing future grids.

»   Innovative Technologies to enable smart grid implementation

»   Standards for communication and data management

Theme 12: Asset Management for Power Systems

»   Asset management challenges/strategies (replacement, refurbishment and maintenance)

»   Substation lifecycle cost optimization.

»   Experiences and development of condition monitoring systems and techniques for decision support.

»   Use of on-line monitoring and diagnostics for risk mitigation - costs and benefits of their implementation.

»   Designs for least environmental impact.

»   Risk analysis techniques for evaluating costs associated with increasing maintenance, failure rates and repairs, due to deferred capital expenditures.

»   Considerations for a low carbon energy future.

»   Future integration of large scale renewable and implications on asset management practices

»   Enhanced information needed

»   Dealing with flatter load profiles, active distribution networks, uncertain generation, integration of new technology