PMU Event Location via Segmented Grid Topology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power system operators face challenges in timely recognition and response to critical grid information due to the overwhelming amount of data from phasor measurement units (PMUs, especially from transient events like line reclosing and faults, which are often not recorded effectively, leading to a lack of efficient online analysis methods for operational decision support.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatically detecting anomalies in PMU data, estimating the time and location of events affecting multiple PMUs, and incorporating power grid topology to improve estimation, using a combination of anomaly detection modules, propagation speed estimation, and geographic or topology-based location detection methods to identify events in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If PMU data is collected from multiple dispersed points in the power grid, then measurement coverage and data completeness are improved, but data volume and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power grid into multiple zones with PMUs deployed at dispersed points, each PMU independently measuring local frequency and phase. The central system then processes data from these segmented sources by comparing relative measurements, which reduces the complexity of analyzing the entire grid at once while maintaining accurate event location capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives data from multiple PMUs and performs relative frequency and phase comparisons. This intermediary layer filters and processes the raw data before final event location determination, reducing the overall processing complexity while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If frequency response analysis is used to locate disturbances, then event location can be determined, but response time and detection speed are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of frequency and phase at multiple PMU locations continuously, so that when a disturbance occurs, the relative differences are already computed and ready for immediate event location determination. This preliminary action reduces the detection time while maintaining accurate location capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic sampling of frequency and phase data at predetermined intervals across multiple PMU locations. This periodic measurement approach ensures that event location can be determined quickly by comparing the most recent periodic samples, reducing detection time while maintaining precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple FDRs are deployed at dispersed points, then event location capability is improved, but system cost and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing PMUs serve multiple functions: they not only perform their traditional power system monitoring roles but also simultaneously provide frequency and phase measurements for event location determination. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized devices while maintaining accurate event location capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables existing PMUs to self-serve the additional function of event location determination by utilizing their inherent frequency and phase measurement capabilities. No separate dedicated event location devices are needed, as the PMUs themselves provide the necessary data, reducing the total quantity of measurement devices required.
Data Source
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AI summary
Example implementations described herein are directed to detection of anomalous events and locations on the transmission power system using phasor management unit (PMU) data, which provides information to grid operators for online decision support. From the highresolution time synchronized PMU data, the transient abnormal events can be monitored and locations can be disclosed to operators for remedy actions. Utilization of PMU information for such decision support compliments operation practices relying on supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) measurements at much lower data resolution. Accurate identification of event locations can further advise grid operators the root cause of disturbances and illuminate possible cascading failures. Implementations of the proposed technology may improve the resilience and reliability of the transmission power systems.