PMU Enhanced Power System Operations

This project explored the direct application of Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) data to update system models, provide faster computation, and provide online decision support. Over the course of the activity considered two research issues.  First, the activity considered how PMU data could be used to improve on-line network level power system models beyond their use in a state-estimator (SE).   The motivation for this application arises when SE result may not be available, such as for smaller utility systems or during rapidly changing system conditions.  The activity demonstrated how PMU data could be combined with existing system models, such as from a power flow, to improve the representation and visualization of the current system operating point.  Second, the activity considered the development of reduced order, transient stability level models for improved computation.  The key insight was to dynamically change the model complexity during a simulation to avoid the need to simulate fast modes that were not excited without numerical stability issues. During a transient simulation, the method developed in this activity switches between the original system model and the reduced model, depending on the switching criterion.  Results were demonstrated using common generator exciter models on both small and large system cases.  These research results can be applied for faster transient stability simulations.