Development of a tool for analysis of low-frequency oscillation modes in power systems signals

Power systems are subjected to randomly occurring normal and abnormal events that can trigger oscillatory response creating unsafe sustained fluctuations in power, voltages, currents and the frequency. Increasing integration of power electronics interfaced renewable generation contribute to new types of oscillations due to control interactions, sometimes supper imposed on classical electromechanical oscillations. Such oscillations can damage equipment and ultimately results in blackouts due to cascaded tripping if not controlled using appropriate remedial actions. Thus, the response of the power system against oscillatory instability must be monitored routinely through offline simulations (to take preventive measures) and through real-time measurements (to take remedial control actions). Manitoba Hydro International (MHI) is the developer of PSCAD power system simulation program and the accompanied Enerplot post-simulation data processing tool. MHI intends to incorporate an oscillation analysis tool into its PSCAD and/or Enerplot software. The underline purpose of this project is to support this development.

This project aims to analyze the effectiveness of existing oscillation mode analysis algorithms and propose methodologies to improve their performance. These methodologies will be enhanced to perform analysis considering both single-variable and multi-variable input data.

Faculty Supervisor:

Athula Rajapakse

Student:

Partner:

Manitoba Hydro International Ltd

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services; Utilities

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: