PMU based transient stabilization using FACTS

Abstract

Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) and Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) have great potential for stabilizing response of the power grid to the large disturbances. A combination of both technologies can result in very powerful near-real time sensing and control capable of monitoring and counteracting the effects of very fast disturbances. In this paper we propose fast switching of FACTS devices which is guaranteed to transiently stabilize the system using very fast and accurate PMU measurements. The nonlinear control law proposed in this paper is based and designed upon understanding the physical system-wide effects of a fault. The control law can be interpreted in terms of controling stored energy flow dynamics and it is also derived using energy-based high gain control methods for nonlinear systems. As such, it is entirely scalable and applicable to any size system. The location of PMUs and the design of systemwide communications for given locations of FACTS devices is directly determined using the designed control law. FACTS control of this type would not be possible without having the accuracy and sampling rate of PMUs.