New computer applications for system operations using phasor measurements

This panel session paper speculates on new computer applications that may become feasible because of increasing installation of phasor measurement units (PMU) in the high voltage power grid. Some of these applications are already being experimented with - like oscillation detection and dynamic state estimation. Most of these applications are `open loop' and are used as advisory tools or analytical tools for operators. However, the idea of using phasor measurements as inputs to closed loop control raises exciting possibilities and has spawned a new area of research. Wide Area Control and Wide Area Protection (also known as Special Protection Schemes (SPS or SIPS)) are being introduced. The use of State Estimation output as the input to control (also known as Model Based Control) is a topic of research.