Recent Trends on Performance Analysis of Latency on Wide Area Technologies in Smart Grids

Numerous researches and real time studies are being conducted on wide area technologies for emerging smart power grids. These technologies include measurements, control and protection. The backbone of wide area technologies is synchronized measurements using phasor measurement units (PMU). One of the major challenges faced in practical implementation of wide area technologies is time delay (latency) in communication. Various researches have highlighted that latency study is essential for effective wide area schemes under contingencies. Interdependence of smart grid technologies with power flow control and PMU communication constraints, challenges the performance of entire power grid. Time delays in communication within wide area monitoring system (WAMS) can substantially degrade the stability and quality of control actions. This paper investigates the effect of communication latency associated with wide area technologies on various smart grid operations.