Performance analysis of wide area network communications using discrete event simulation tools

Operation of power systems has become more complicated and therefore encounters more challenges. In this regard, Wide Area Monitoring System (WAMS) as a state-of-the-art technology provides an effective method for large scale power grid monitoring, protection and control. Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) measure power system parameters including frequency, voltage and current phasors with high accuracy and transmit the measured values online to a central location called Phasor Data Concentrator (PDC). Then the collected information can be exploited by smart grid applications. Critical to the operation of such a system is a high speed communication infrastructure. The performance of communications links has direct impact on the ability to meet specific smart grid applications requirements. In this paper we present performance evaluation of the WAMS communications infrastructure with regard to latency and End-to-End (EtE) delay from PMUs to PDC. An actual WAMS as installed on the transmission system of Great Britain (GB) is modelled using both proprietary and open source Discrete Event Simulators (DES), OPNET and OMNeT++. Comparisons will be also drawn between the two simulation environments approaches and the results obtained.