Real Time Dynamics Monitoring System (RTDMS®) for use with SynchroPhasor technology in power systems

This paper describes the use of Real Time Dynamics Monitoring System (RTDMS®) for use with SynchroPhasor System Technology (SPST). Analysis of some major power blackouts in US and other countries have shown that monitoring power system status and dynamic transient events in real-time can enable the operators to identify deteriorating system conditions early and help them take preventative actions to avoid or reduce likelihood of blackouts. Using RTDMS to monitor the power system with SynchroPhasor technology is expected to improve reliability, provide wide area visibility over multiple control areas, and provide system operators with real-time measurement of key grid metrics, including phase angles, oscillation modes, energy and modal damping. These grid dynamics indicators cannot be obtained in real-time from the existing historic tools such as SCADA or State Estimators. The SPST has great potential for enhancing power system stability and increasing power transmission system capability through high speed response based controls. Given, the proper visualization and analysis tools, this technology can assist operators in avoiding major system disturbances like the North American blackouts that occurred in Western US on August 10, 1996 and in Northeast US and Canada on August 14, 2003. The paper will outline the use of RTDMS with SPST and describes how it enhances the visibility of the power system. The RTDMS is in use at several ISOs and utility locations in North America.