Identification and monitoring inter-area oscillations in power systems

Inter-area oscillations are inherent to power systems. This type of oscillations is characterized by a group of generators in one are of the system oscillating against other group located in another area. Since power systems are subjected to a wide range of disturbances, the damping associated with those oscillations may be drastically modified and the system security may be compromised. Thus, identifying and monitoring the critical inter-area modes is of significant concern during the power system operation. This paper reports on the identification and monitoring critical inter-area modes, using modal analysis together with the Prony´s method.