A realtime decision support system for the operation of a 132 kV power network

Significant improvements have been made in the power and extent of the monitoring and control systems employed by electrical power utilities, with the result that strategic decisions are having to be made concerning the use of the increased data now available. The evolutionary changes being made to power systems are introducing expectations of improved performance in system management and control. However, more effective system control can only be exercised if the increased volume of data is matched by an increased capacity to interpret system conditions from the control room. The decision support system described in this paper makes use of expert system techniques in order to provide intelligent reasoning based on the incoming alarm data. Through the description of the decision support system contained in this paper, the benefits to system operation are made evident.