1. 2017 WECC JSIS Report
March 21, 2017

2. Syncrophasor Technology
Synchrophasors are precise time-synchronized measurements system voltages, frequencies, power, currents and angles
Synchrophasors provide an unprecedented wide-area view of the power system dynamic state
Every modern digital relay is PMU-capable
Phasor Measurement Units
Conventional SCADA
High time resolution: 30 to 120 samples per second
Scanned every 2 to 4 seconds
Data is time synchronized at the source
Time stamped in the control center

3. History of Synchrophasors in WECC
WECC installed first PMUs in early 1990s
PMU coverage and networking greatly expanded following 1996 outages
Inter-utility network was developed
Utilities researched, prototyped and deployed several PMU applications for engineering analysis
However, the original PMU network was not reliable or secure for grid operations

4. Western Interconnection Synchrophasor Program
Starting 2010 WECC operating entities and US government invested more than $108M in the synchrophaosr technology in the West
Peak RC led Western Interconnection Synchrophasor Project
Unprecedented visibility of interconnection-wide dynamic state
WISP WAN:
16 participants exchanging real-time data
302 PMUs are reporting to Peak RC
8,472 signals, including frequency, voltage and current phasors
Recognition – BPA project received Platt’s Global Energy Award for Grid Optimization in 2013

5. Values and Applications
The value of the investment is unlocked by the applications that use the synchrophasor technology
NASPI Value Proposition Paper:
Improved grid reliability
Improved system transfer capability
Cost savings (compliance, maintenance)
Renewable integration, public policies
Applications:
Engineering support
Control room
Automated controls

6. Oscillation Detection
BPA developed and deployed Oscillation Detection Application in its control room in October 2013
The application went operational in June 2016
Scans 100+ signals for signs of growing or sustained power oscillations – when oscillation energy exceeds a pre-specified threshold
Oscillation Detection displays are developed
Alarms dispatchers when an oscillation is detected

7. Forced Oscillation Detection and Source Locating
Peak RC project
Forced Oscillation Detection (PMU data)
Post-processing of WSU OMS estimates
Runs every 1 minute online
Detect any forced oscillations
Oscillation Source Location (SCADA data)
Triggered by Frequency Oscillation Detection
Inputs are oscillation start and end times
Retrieve all generator MW and MVAR SCADA data
Two algorithms are used to analyze:
PMA (Pattern Mining Algorithm)
MVRA (Maximal Variance Ratio Algorithm)

8. Oscillation Detection Success Stories
BPA detected sustained power oscillations coming from a wind power plant when power output reached about 90% of plant capacity
BPA worked with plant owner and wind turbine manufacturer to fix the problem
Wind Ramp Before
Wind Ramp After
80 MVAR peak to peak oscillation

9. Oscillation Events Many events detected since 2013, including:
Generator instabilities
Hydro generator operating in rough zone
Wind power plant control mis-operations
Generator control interactions
HVDC equipment failure
Plant controller mis-operations

10. Frequency Event Detection
Frequency Event Detection is deployed in its control room in 2014
Frequency and power charts are auto-generated
Smart grid uses technology to enhance power delivery and use through intelligent two-way communication.
BPA has long promoted smart grid technologies to improve reliability, reduce operating costs, and defer the need for new transmission infrastructure.
BPA promotes new technologies through Technology Innovation projects.
BPA is creating the business case to show how smart grid can help the region, utilities, and consumers.
Map shows where frequency event originated

11. Frequency Event Analysis
PMU data is used for baselining frequency performance for NERC BAL-003
BA Frequency Response versus the BA hydro generation on-line
Generator performance assessment
Smart grid uses technology to enhance power delivery and use through intelligent two-way communication.
BPA has long promoted smart grid technologies to improve reliability, reduce operating costs, and defer the need for new transmission infrastructure.
BPA promotes new technologies through Technology Innovation projects.
BPA is creating the business case to show how smart grid can help the region, utilities, and consumers.

12. Islanding Detection
An application you hope never need to use, but indispensable when you need it
Smart grid uses technology to enhance power delivery and use through intelligent two-way communication.
BPA has long promoted smart grid technologies to improve reliability, reduce operating costs, and defer the need for new transmission infrastructure.
BPA promotes new technologies through Technology Innovation projects.
BPA is creating the business case to show how smart grid can help the region, utilities, and consumers.

13. Power Plant Performance Monitoring
PMU data is extensively used for power plant monitoring

14. Analysis of System Tests
BPA and WECC perform system tests several times per year to stimulate power oscillations under controlled conditions
1,400 MW braking resistor is applied for half a second to “ping” the power system
Wide-area data is analyzed to understand the inter-actions among the generators in the Western Interconnection

15. Real-Time Voltage Stability Assessement for IROL Monitoring at Peak RC
V&R ROSE VSA is deployed for monitor voltage stability:
San Diego area IROL
NW Washington area IROL
Calculates voltage stability limits over
multiple stress scenarios

16. System Model Validation and Real-Time Transient Stability Studies
Peak RC, WECC, GE, BPA developed a process of running dynamic simulations on a state estimator snapshot and comparing with PMU data
A number of system events were validated
Steps are taken towards running transient stability studies in real time
2015
Validated system models improve simulation accuracy
NERC MOD-026, 27 require power plant model validation
NERC MOD-033 requires system model validation

17. System Model Validation and Real-Time Transient Stability Studies
Reminder – dynamic models in 1996
We improved A LOT because of WECC processes
Reality
Model

18. JSIS Activities
Value Proposition – collaboration with NASPI and NERC SMS
Technology outreach - “success stories” and “lesson’s learned” of infrastructure deployment
Application development, demonstration and deployment
Power system dynamic performance analysis

19. JSIS Activities – Value Proposition
For Synchrophasor Program to be successful and sustainable, institutional support is essential – FTE and investment dollars
Data quality remains a challenge
For companies to make such commitments, they need to see value
There are examples of the successful technology deployment, such as BPA and SDG&E
“Success stories” and “lesson’s learned” of infrastructure deployment
Presentations on value proposition and business case

20. Provided by Alex Ning, Peak RC

21. JSIS – Technology Outreach
There are mature vendor-supported applications
There are simple freeware data management systems
Basic applications are available
Model validation – power plant, system
Performance analysis
Frequency response
Oscillation detection and source location

22. Thank you