Wide area monitoring with synchrophasors German experiences

The stability of electrical transmission networks has been receiving more attention in recent years all over the world. Following several wide-area supply interruptions, so called blackouts, for example in Europe and North America, it is widely accepted that transmission networks have to be improved in terms of both capacity and stability. The quick building of new lines is usually not an option, so measures to enhance the stability of existing networks are of great interest. One well accepted method, increasing the observability of the power system, is the use of phasor measurement data from widely spread positions in the power networks. With a suitable software solution, the information coming from the Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) helps the control center engineers to gain an awareness of the stability situation throughout the whole network. This aids them in making the right decisions even in critical situations. The application of such a Phasor Data Processing System is presented and discussed.