Role of Time Synchronization in Power System Automation and Smart Grids

Utilities and operators are looking for new packet-based time synchronization solutions with Global Positioning System (GPS) level accuracies beyond those attainable using the traditional packet method like Network Time Protocol (NTP). Advances in high speed packet switching and communications over wide areas has made time synchronization over packet networks an attractive solution for many industries. This paper provides a tutorial discussion on the role of time synchronization in a power system environment. It provides an overview of current methods for time synchronization and also emerging packet-based alternatives that provide comparable performance over high speed communication links. These newer solutions have a number of potential applications in power system automation and also for wide area measurement systems (WAMS).