Optimizing the data acquisition process in a smart grid environment

Until recently, performance requirements aimed at making synchronized phasor measurement solutions interoperable focused on the equipment performance during a steady state, perfectly balanced operation of the power system. Performance requirements during transients were specifically excluded, and left to equipment manufacturers to optimize as needed. On the other hand, many applications identified to benefit from the availability of synchrophasor measurements are in the realm of transient disturbances. Building on recent developments in operational high speed communications systems used by electric power utilities, the paper proposes a holistic approach to provisioning and managing data acquisition solutions capable of providing actionable quality information regarding voltage and current measurements at remote locations during transient events. The paper also proposes that a standard frequency measurement technique could solve challenges caused by frequency deviations in phasor measurement systems.