This paper presents a decision tree based method for out-of-step prediction of synchronous generators. For distinguishing between stable and out-of-step conditions, a series of measurements are taken under various fault scenarios including operational and topological disturbances. The data of input features and output target classes are used as the input-output pairs for decision tree induction and deduction. The merit of decision tree based detection of transient instability lies in robust classification of new unseen samples. The performance of the proposed method is verified on two test cases including a 9-bus dynamic network and the practical 1696-bus Iran national grid. The simulation results are presented for various input features and learning parameters.

Transient Instability Prediction Using Decision Tree Technique

Many large interconnected power systems such as the U.S. eastern interconnection and the U.S. western power system are characterized by many power transfer paths or interfaces with high loading. Disruptions of these transfer paths frequently lead to increased loading on neighboring transfer paths, which themselves will become less secure and could cause further disruptions. State estimators have limited performance under large system disruptions, because of low sampling rates and potentially poor solution quality due to topology errors. Furthermore, disruptions in external power systems cannot be readily seen by control room operators because most state estimators only use reduced models for external systems. A system of well-placed phasor measurement units (PMUs) that provide voltage and current magnitude and phase at a high sampling rate can provide useful system dynamic security information. In this paper we apply energy function analysis using phasor data to monitor the dynamic status of power transfer paths. The ideas will be illustrated using actual data captured by several PMUs in the U.S. western power system

Synchronized Phasor Data Based Energy Function Analysis of Dominant Power Transfer Paths in Large Power Systems

A new procedure for out-of-step protection by mapping the equal area criterion conditions to the time domain is proposed in this paper. The classification between stable and out-of-step swings is done using the accelerating and decelerating energies, which represents the area under the power-time curve. The proposed methodology is simple and overcomes some of the difficulties associated with the previous techniques. The proposed approach is based only on the local electrical quantities available at the relay location, and does not depend on the network configuration and parameters. The proposed algorithm has been tested on a single-machine infinite bus and a three-machine infinite bus system using software simulations. A digital prototype of the relay has also been implemented on the hardware and its performance has been assessed in a closed-loop mode using a real-time digital simulator. The simulation results and the hardware testing results confirm the validity of the approach presented.

Application of Equal Area Criterion Conditions in the Time Domain for Out-of-Step Protection

As system transient stability is one of the most important criterions of microgrid (MG) security operation, and the performance of an MG strongly depends on the placement of its energy storage devices (ESDs); optimal placement of ESDs for improving system transient stability is required for MGs. An MG structure preserving energy function is first developed for voltage source inverter-based MGs since the existing energy functions, based on synchronous generators and the conventional power system, are not applicable for MGs. The concept of internal potential energy of distributed energy resource is presented instead of the kinetic energy term in traditional energy function. Then, a novel approach for the optimal placement of ESDs is proposed based on MG structure preserving energy function for improving MG transient stability. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method can be used to find the optimal placement of ESDs and improve the system stability effectively.

Optimal Placement of Energy Storage Devices in Microgrids via Structure Preserving Energy Function

A wide area measurement, nonlinear, model predictive control (MPC) approach is introduced to provide first swing stability protection of vulnerable power system transmission lines. The authors consider large disturbance events and focus on the avoidance of first swing angular separation using flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) devices. The presented control strategy for FACTS devices is
designed to be numerically efficient (due to the short MPC horizons) and robust (against complicated separation mechanisms). Simulation studies conducted on a three-machine system illustrate that the proposed MPC approach achieves first swing large disturbance performance that is near optimal and superior to existing transient stability controllers. Moreover, the proposed control approach is demonstrated to improve critical clearance times and to improve transfer capacity in simulation studies on the 39 bus New England system.

Efficient and robust model predictive control for first swing transient stability of power systems using flexible AC transmission systems devices

Maintaining dynamic security of a power system subjected to large disturbances is of utmost importance. Fast and accurate online detection of instability is essential in initiating certain emergency control measures. The techniques reported in the literature involve mainly the application of global phasor measurements and heuristic algorithms. In this paper, an accurate technique for the online detection of loss of synchronism based on voltage and current measurements in a line is presented. The technique makes use of the concept of potential energy in a line. The conditions for the system instability are derived from energy function analysis. However, no assumptions are made regarding the power-angle relationship in a line, nor are any data on the system equivalents necessary in implementing the detection scheme.

S. Krishna

Papers

Online detection of loss of synchronism using energy function criterion