Monitoring power system disturbances based on distribution-level phasor measurements

The Frequency Monitoring Network (FNET) takes GPS-synchronized wide-area measurements in a low-cost, easily deployable manner at the 120V distribution level with the data rate of 10 sps. Various advanced situational awareness tools have been developed using FNET wide-area measurements, including disturbance alert, event location triangulation, oscillation detection, etc. Since late 2010 the FDR deployment has gradually covered some worldwide areas, e.g. Europe, China. In this paper, firstly, the observability of power system disturbances by the FNET system in some worldwide areas is examined and compared with North American power grid, taking the European Power Grid as example. Secondly, this paper investigates the power system dynamics during several major disturbances in Eastern Interconnection and Western Interconnection captured by the FNET system in 2011. Important system parameters (e.g. frequency, phasor angle, voltage magnitude) taken by FDRs are examined and analyzed.