A Comprehensive Review of Alarm Processing in Power Systems: Addressing Overreliance on Fault Analysis and Projecting Future Directions

Abstract

This paper reviews alarm processing methods in electrical power systems, focusing on evolving strategies beyond traditional fault analysis to accommodate modern grid complexities. Historically, alarm processing has predominantly aimed at fault analysis, increasingly merging with technological advances in communication and computing. However, it still needs to fully meet the challenges posed by the dynamic characteristics of modern power systems. This review points out certain inadequacies in current practices, notably their limited adaptation to new grid conditions. The authors propose a novel generation of alarm processing methodologies designed for future grids, emphasizing managing rare events and enhancing operator decision-making through advanced anomaly detection and explainable artificial intelligence. This synthesis presents a prospective direction for future research and applications in alarm processing, advocating for methodologies better suited to supporting system operators amidst technological advancements.