Investigation of PMU Limitations in Monitoring Fast Dynamics Through Real-Time Hardware-In-The-Loop Experiments

Abstract

The dynamic stability and transient performance of the grid is changed by the continuously increasing integration of inverter-based resources (IBRs). Synchrophasors provided by Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) can be used to monitor these dynamics due to their high-resolution and synchronized time stamping. In addition, application of Synchrophasor technology in grid control is another area of interest. The time synchronization of Synchrophasor measurements as well as their high resolution, in conjunction with actuators such as IBRs with fast active and reactive power modulation capabilities, enables the development and application of wide-area fast control schemes that may improve grid reliability. However, the filtering and signal processing within a PMU might compromise the accuracy of the monitoring, as well as the control action and effect. In that case, high-resolution sampled value (point-on-wave) synchronized measurements might be beneficial compared to Synchrophasors.The objective of this paper is to illustrate the abovementioned limitations by testing a commercial grade PMU by use of a real-time hardware-in-the-loop (RT-HIL) simulation setup. Examples of system dynamics and transients observed in power grids with IBRs are fed to the PMU, and the PMU recorded data is analyzed.