Dynamic System Reduction And Fault Location Identification Using Synchrophasors

Abstract

The advent of the synchronized phasor measurement units' technology allow for new applications to the power systems and improvement of existing applications. This dissertation presents a new method for synchrophasor-assisted fault location. An initial screening of voltage phase angle swing determines the suspect part of the system where the disturbance occurred. The system is then reduced to a limited number of buses. A Positive-sequence voltage-only method is then used to provide a better estimation of the exact location of the fault using particle swarm optimization. This method is applied to a large power system in North Texas. Real-time synchrophasor measurement units are used from across the power system to identify the fault location. Results are compared to traditional fault location methods that utilize non-synchronized current measurements to locate faults. Several cases are examined and results show accurate estimation of the fault location by using the proposed approach.