Real-Time Reliability Management Tools
Real-Time Voltage Security Assessment
Electricity system operators need to know how to more effectively manage the grid and its reactive resources, including coordination with other organizations (interconnected system operators, load-serving entities, and generators), within today's changed operational environment, particularly during periods of system stress. Inadequate, region-wide coordination of VAR reserves was a contributor the 1996 west coast blackouts, leading WECC to adopt stricter voltage-VAR requirements.
Algorithmic Components
Propose Hybrid Approach
- Continuum Power Flow to vicinity of PoC
- Direct Method to find exact PoC
- Trace the boundary
CERTS researcher are working closely with CA ISO to prototype a Voltage Security Assessment tool that will provide dispatchers with real time reliability metrics related to reactive margin, abnormal nodal voltages, weak elements and contingency rankings. The research involves assessment of improved (faster) simulation methods that can meet performance requirements called for by CA ISO's Market Redesign Technology Update. The research is being funded by the California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research Program.
The Voltage Security Assessment tool and corresponding wide-area visuals will assist CA ISO manage the voltage and VAR resources on the transmission system by providing:
- Voltage security margin calculations
- Worst-case contingencies leading to voltage collapse and/or contingencies with insufficient voltage stability margin
- Abnormal reductions of nodal voltages
- Contingency ranks according to a severity index for system problems
- System conditions with insufficient stability margin
- Weakest elements within the grid and the regions most affected by potential voltage problems
- A real-time dispatcher's dashboard-type of display providing information about voltage problems at the "normal" look-ahead operating conditions and for the worst-case contingencies (contingencies with large severity ranks) that may appear in the future
The Voltage Security Assessment (VSA) project is designed to be part of the suite of advanced computational tools for congestion management that is slated for practical applications in California in the next few years.
Contact:
Manu Parashar
Electric Power Group, LLC
(626) 685-2015