WideView: The use of telecommunications and GPS technology for the real-time wide-area monitoring and control of power systems

The operating conditions as well as the network topology of a power system may change frequently due to complex interconnections and deregulated energy markets. The real-time information regarding the operating states is therefore very important for reliable and secure operation. The supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system based on conventional measurements such as the power flow, power injection, voltage, and current measurements is inherently slow in nature, and fails to provide a real-time picture of the power system. The integration of the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to the measurement units of power system quantities has led to the design of an advanced measurement unit, known as Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU). The PMU is an innovative measurement unit that due to the integrated GPS receiver can measure extremely accurate voltage and current phasors. Further, disbursed PMUs in the power system can be synchronized via the GPS signal providing a real time visualization of the power system operating condition. Therefore, the Synchronized Measurement Technology (SMT) has set the beginning of a new era in monitoring and control applications of the power system operation by the exploitation of the GPS technology.

This project will contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the areas of security, monitoring and control of power systems by utilizing the SMT technology. The methodologies developed, will be tested on IEEE test systems and on the Cyprus power system. It is envisioned that with the completion of this project, the reliability of the power system will be further enhanced, promoting the quality of life and welfare of the citizens.

The KIOS research team in this project is led by Dr. Elias Kyriakides. The project partners are the Cyprus Transmission System Operator, Arizona State University, the University Politechica of Bucharest, and the University of Manchester.

Project official website here.

This project is funded by the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation through the Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Innovation 2009-10 (DESMI 2009-2010), co-funded by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Regional Development Fund.