Experiences and challenges in contingency analysis at Hydro-Quebec

Contingency analysis is one of the major components in power system security analysis. Hydro-Quebec has a long interest in on-line real-time security based monitoring system. As early as 1982, the first operational tool to provide dynamic transfer limits was put in real-time operation in the control center. Over several decades, more sophisticated and complicated tables were integrated into the system called LIMSEL. In 1989, the on-line network security analysis software known as LASER was put in service. This software includes a state estimator and on-line post-contingency analysis. This paper briefly describes the experiences of contingency analysis in both on-line and off-line aspects at Hydro-Quebec. Challenges and improvements arising from the practice of contingency analysis are also discussed.