The role of big data in improving power system operation and protection

This paper focuses on the use of extremely large data sets in power system operation, control, and protection, which are difficult to process with traditional database tools and often termed big data. We will discuss three aspects of using such data sets: feature extraction, systematic integration for power system applications, and examples of typical applications in the utility industry. The following analytics tasks based on big data methodology are elaborated upon: corrective, predictive, distributed and adaptive. The paper also outlines several research topics related to asset management, operation planning, realtime monitoring and fault detection/protection that present new opportunities but require further investigation.