Electromechanical mode shape estimation based on transfer function identification using PMU measurements

Power system mode shapes are a key indication of how dynamic components participate in low-frequency oscillations. Traditionally, mode shapes are calculated from a linearized dynamic model. For large-scale power systems, obtaining accurate dynamic models is very difficult. Therefore, measurement-based mode shape estimation methods have certain advantages, especially for the application of real-time small signal stability monitoring. In this paper, a measurement-based mode shape identification method is proposed. The general relationship between transfer function (TF) and mode shape is derived. As an example, a least square (LS) method is implemented to estimate mode shape using an autoregressive exogenous (ARX) model. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated by Monte-Carlo studies using simulation data from a 17-machine model. The results indicate the validity of the proposed method in estimating mode shapes with reasonably good accuracy.