The Future of GPS-Based Electric Power System Measurements, Operation, and Control

D. T. Rizy, R.E. Wilson, K.E. Martin, W. H. Litzenberger, J. F. Hauer, P. N. Overholt, D. J. Sobajic

Abstract:	Much of our modern society is powered by inexpensive and reliable electricity delivered by a complex and elaborate electric power network. Electrical utilities are currently using the Global Positioning System-NAVSTAR (GPS) timekeeping to improve the network’s reliability. Currently, GPS synchronizes the clocks on dynamic recorders and aids in post-mortem analysis of network disturbances. Two major projects have demonstrated the use of GPS-synchronized power system measurements. In 1992, the Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) sponsored Phasor Measurements Project used a commercially available Phasor Measurements Unit (PMU) to collect GPS-synchronized measurements for analyzing power system problems. In 1995, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) under DOE’s and EPRI’s sponsorship launched the Wide Area Measurements (WAMS) project. WAMS demonstrated GPS-synchronized measurements over a large area of their power networks and demonstrated the networking of GPS-based measurement systems in BPA and WAPA. The phasor measurement technology has also been used to conduct dynamic power system tests. During these tests, a large dynamic resistor was inserted to simulate a small power system disturbance. GPS-synchronized measurements will become an important element in the future development of power systems control. The use of GPS in the electrical power system infrastructure has far reaching capabilities that include real-time control of deregulated power systems, maximizing of power transfers between neighboring electric utilities, and maintaining power system stability and reliability in response to minor and major power system disturbances.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 11th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1998) September 15 - 18, 1998 Nashville, TN
Pages:	1423 - 1432
Cite this article:	Rizy, D. T., Wilson, R.E., Martin, K.E., Litzenberger, W. H., Hauer, J. F., Overholt, P. N., Sobajic, D. J., "The Future of GPS-Based Electric Power System Measurements, Operation, and Control," Proceedings of the 11th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1998), Nashville, TN, September 1998, pp. 1423-1432.
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