Volume 14, Issue 1 -

This paper presents a technique for real-time prediction of stability/instability of a power system based on synchrophasor measurements obtained from phasor measurement units (PMUs) at generator buses. For stability assessment the technique makes use of system severity indices developed using bus voltage magnitude obtained from PMUs and generator electrical power. Generator power is computed using system information and PMU information like voltage and current phasors obtained from PMU. System stability/instability is predicted when the indices exceeds a threshold value. A case study is carried out on New England 10-generator, 39-bus system to validate the performance of the technique.

The National Electricity Policy (NEP) [1], issued by the Government of India, mandates transmission prices to be distance and direction sensitive and capture utilization of the network by each network user. In line with the mandate, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) [2] has issued Sharing of Interstate Transmission Charges and Losses Regulations, 2010 [3], to introduce point of connection (PoC)-based transmission pricing methodology in India. The methodology under the above regulations introduces one of the major reforms of its kind in the Indian power sector and seeks to share the total transmission charges in proportion to respective utilization of the transmission system by different entities. In this paper, the authors have enumerated their experience gained from the implementation of PoC-based transmission pricing regime in India. Authors have also discussed various issues encountered in the process of implementation and the methodology adopted.

This paper deals with line protection challenges experienced in a system having substantial wind generation penetration. Two types of generators, thermal synchronous generators and fixed speed wind turbines based on squirrel-cage induction generators, are simulated as thevenin equivalent model, connected to grid with single-circuit transmission line. The paper gives comparative discussion and summarizes analytical investigations carried out on the impedance seen by distance relays by varying fault resistances and grid short circuit MVA, for the protection of such transmission lines during faults.

This paper presents a framework to achieve an optimal power flow solution in a decentralized bilateral multitransaction-based market. An independent optimal dispatch solution has been used for each market. The interior point (IP)-based optimization technique has been used for finding a global economic optimal solution of the whole system. In this method, all the participants try to maximize their own profits with the help of system information announced by the operator. In the present work, a parallel algorithm has been used to find out a global optimum solution in decentralized market model. The study has been carried out on a modified IEEE-30 bus system. The results show that the suggested decentralized approach can provide a better optimal solution. The obtained results show the effectiveness of IP optimization-based optimal generator schedule and congestion management in the decentralized market.

This paper presents an improved power quality converter (IPQC)-based power supply design for high brightness light emitting diode (HB-LED) low power lighting. The IPQC circuit uses a Cuk buck-boost converter to operate it in a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) using the voltage follower technique for the mitigation of harmonic contents present in the AC mains current. Subsequently, reduction in harmonic contents results in improving the power quality indices at the AC mains. Single-stage single switch converter topology is used, which has less component count, size and cost as compared to the two-stage converter topology. DCM operation has an advantage that only output voltage control loop is required as compared to three control loops required in the continuous conduction mode operation. An 18-W LED driver is designed, modeled and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink software for 220 V, 50 Hz AC mains. The performance of the proposed LED driver is observed in terms of total harmonic distortion of the input current (THDi), input power factor (PF) and crest factor (CF) taking into account the strict international standard of IEC 61000-3-2 for class C equipments.

This papter introduces a decentralized multivariable robust adaptive voltage and frequency regulator to ensure the stability of large-scale interconnnected generators. Interconnection parameters (i.e. load, line and transormer parameters) are assumed to be unknown. The proposed design approach requires the reformulation of conventiaonal power system models into a multivariable model with generator terminal voltages as state variables, and excitation and turbine valve inputs as control signals. This model, while suitable for the application of modern control methods, introduces problems with regards to current design techniques for large-scale systems. Interconnection terms, which are treated as perturbations, do not meet the common matching condition assumption. A new adaptive method for a certain class of large-scale systems is therefore introduces that does not require the matching condition. The proposed controller consists of nonlinear inputs that cancel some nonlinearities of the model. Auxiliary controls with linear and nonlinear components are used to stabilize the system. They compensate unknown parametes of the model by updating both the nonlinear component gains and excitation parameters. The adaptation algorithms involve the sigma-modification approach for auxiliary control gains, and the projection approach for excitation parameters to prevent estimation drift. The computation of the matrix-gain of the controller linear component requires the resolution of an algebraic Riccati equation and helps to solve the perturbation-mismatching problem. A realistic power system is used to assess the proposed controller performance. The results show that both stability and transient performance are considerably improved following a severe contingency.

Fast measurements of power system quantities available through wide-area measurement systems enables direct observations for power system electromechanical oscillations. But the raw observations data need to be processed to obtain the quantitative measures required to make any inference regarding the power system state. A detailed discussion is presented for the theory behind the general problem of oscillatory mode indentification. This paper presents some results on oscillation mode identification applied to a wide-area frequency measurements system. Guidelines for selection of parametes for obtaining most reliable results from the applied method are provided. Finally, some results on real measurements are presented with our inference on them.

Severe power quality problems can arise when a large number of single-phase distributed energy resources (DERs) are connected to a low-voltage power distribution system. Due to the random location and size of DERs, it may so happen that a particular phase generates excess power than its load demand. In such an event, the excess power will be fed back to the distribution substation and will eventually find its way to the transmission network, causing undesirable voltage–current unbalance. As a solution to this problem, the article proposes the use of a distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM), which regulates voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC), thereby ensuring balanced current flow from and to the distribution substation. Additionally, this device can also support the distribution network in the absence of the utility connection, making the distribution system work as a microgrid. The proposals are validated through extensive digital computer simulation studies using PSCAD TM .

SCADA/EMS system has been the most commonly used tool for real-time power system operation and control throughout the world. This system has been found to be very useful in steady-state analysis of the power system. The ever-increasing dependence of human society and every country’s economy on electrical energy calls for reliable power delivery. In order to meet these expectations, engineers across the globe have been exploring such new technologies that can improve upon the limitations of SCADA and provide dynamic visibility of the power system. A breakthrough has now been achieved in the form of synchrophasor technology. Synchrophasor measurements using phasor measurement units (PMUs) deployed over a wide area, facilitate dynamic state measurement and visualization of a power system, which are useful in monitoring safety and security of the grid. The Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO) has taken initiative and implemented a pilot project wherein nine phasor measurement units (PMUs) along with one phasor data concentrator (PDC) were commissioned in the Northern Region (NR) of India. The primary objective of this pilot project was to comprehend the synchrophasor technology and its applications in power system operation. The data received and information derived from the pilot project have been found to be very useful and helped in improving the performance of the grid operation in several ways. The pilot project is operational for the last two years; in the meanwhile, many other initiatives have also been taken in other regions by POSOCO. This article details the utilization of the data collected from the pilot projects and the application of the data in the improvement of Indian power grid.

This paper discusses experiences in the use of synchronized phasor measurement technology in Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) interconnection, USA. Implementation of synchronized phasor measurement technology in the region is a collaborative effort involving ERCOT, ONCOR, AEP, SHARYLAND, EPG, CCET, and UT-Arlington. As several phasor measurement units (PMU) have been installed in ERCOT grid in recent years, phasor data with the resolution of 30 samples per second is being used to monitor power system status and record system events. Post-event analyses using recorded phasor data have successfully verified ERCOT dynamic stability simulation studies. Real time monitoring software “RTDMS” ® enables ERCOT to analyze small signal stability conditions by monitoring the phase angles and oscillations. The recorded phasor data enables ERCOT to validate the existing dynamic models of conventional and/or wind generator.

System-wide feedback signals made available by Wide-Area Measurement Systems technology can be used in FACTS/HVDC based controllers for the improvement of angular stability. These global signals can facilitate the efficient use of controller effort to stabilize critical swing modes. This paper introduces a restricted global strategy which involves the use of specific global feedback signals which are available at the HVDC/FACTS locations. The strategy is expected to be robust to changes in the power grid as well as communication uncertainties. This paper presents a heuristic introduction to this strategy using a circuit analogy of a simplified model of a power system. Preliminary results on a small system are also presented.