Application of Synchrophasor Measurements for distribution networks

Abstract

Wide Area Monitoring with SynchrophasorMeasurements has become of great interest in supervision of stability for transmission systems. With the acquisition of the phasor measurements using Phasor Measurement Units (PMU), a new quality of insight into the dynamic behavior of the electric power network has become possible. The value of this method is increasing because of more dynamic requirements for the system caused by renewable power infeed such as wind and solar and energy trade. The renewable power infeed goes to a quite high amount into the distribution networks so that at that level, also the dynamic processes are increasing. The distribution networks are taking over more tasks that have been reserved for transmission networks in the past, so the supervision is also important for the distribution level. This paper discusses applications for that. An example for the use of synchrophasors for energy accounting is given. Finally, the status of standardization is presented.

Micro-synchrophasors for distribution systems

“…APPLICATIONS FOR μPMU DATA A broad spectrum of potential distribution system applications could hypothetically be supported by μPMU data (or, in some cases, by conventional PMU data), as has been noted in the literature. [4][5][6] One of our research tasks is to specify, or at least narrow down, the requirements that various power distribution-related applications will impose on data resolution, accuracy, communication speed, signal latencies, volume and continuity of data transfer, as well as placement of the μPMU on the distribution circuit. We then intend to evaluate applications in terms of the data requirements to support them, and the advantage afforded by voltage angle as a state variable as compared to conventional techniques.…”

Addressing the challenges for integrating micro-synchrophasor data with operational system applications

“…Advanced distribution PMU devices, can output over 20 data points per distribution feeder at a subsynchronous rate [12] [1]. The data can be stored internal to the device, or communicated directly to the utility or analyst, and using applications developed through the ARPA-E project intelligible and informational data is provided to operators and planners.…”

“…Two-way communication with both distribution planning and operations tools is desired, but there is a lack of standards to enable such communication and a lack of analysis packages capable of interacting with monitoring systems. Numerous technologies are being piloted to improve visualization at the operations level including micro-synchrophasors (μPMUs) technology and line measurement devices, but cost is often not balanced with the benefit a wide scale implementation would have [1] [2]. Two development projects are discussed in this paper, OpenPMU and μPMU.…”

Using Micro-Synchrophasor Data for Advanced Distribution Grid Planning and Operations Analysis

“…fractions of a degree rather than tens of degrees (Wache et al 2011). To provide significant information about power flow on distribution circuits, phase angles will likely have to be reported to within ten millidegrees (1/100 th of a degree), corresponding to an accuracy or total vector error (TVE) of about 0.2%.…”