Identification of Power System Security Region using PMUs

Maintaining power system security is one of the major challenges facing transmission system operators today. In fast moving and de-regulated electricity markets, transmission companies across the globe often have a dual and conflicting responsibility for maintaining system security and for achieving high transmission performance levels.

The power system security is a complex function of many variables including network connectivity, load and generation pattern, and contingencies that may occur. There are a number of analytical engines such as powerflow, transient stability, voltage stability, etc., that are continually being used toperform simulations at the control centers of utilities to determine safe operating region in normal and under contingency states. Even though some of these analytics are being used in an on-line (nearly real-time) environment, the need for faster and more accurate techniques has been an importantsource of inspiration for many researchers worldwide.

In this research project the team will develop a framework to identify the security region of a power system using the phasor measurement units and data mining technique. The framework can be used in an on-line application to track system security from the real-time measurements of voltage magnitude and angle obtained from PMUs. This research project once completed will benefit utilities in several ways including operating the power system close to its stability limits, maximizing the power transfer capability limits to/from a power system, and better preparedness to undertake preventive and corrective actions. The developed technique and framework will be tested on a few realistic power systems including the power system of BC Hydro.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. William Dunford

Student:

Matin Rahmatian

Partner:

NuGrid Power Corp.

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Energy

University:

University of British Columbia