Load Angle Measurement using SCADA

A unique tool for Grid Operation

V.K.Agrawal, AGM P.R.Raghuram, DGM S.P.Kumar, Manager
SRLDC, Bangalore SRLDC, Bangalore SRLDC, Bangalore

Abstract:- Monitoring stability of the grid is the most onerous function for the grid operator. With
complexity of the network increasing and new mechanisms like Open Access etc. in place, the operator has to
make a distinct balance between maximizing the network loadability vis-à-vis keeping the security intact. To
address this, monitoring of load angle between the adjacent buses and coherent groups of generators is one of
the most viable alternative as this single information can be used as good indicator about the system stability
as well as the available margins in the transmission network. In discharging its responsibility, Southern
Regional Load Despatch Centre (SRLDC) has been using this practice most optimally by virtue of the most
modern and powerful state of the art SCADA and EMS system installed under the Unified Load Despatch &
Communication (ULDC) scheme in POWERGRID and a user-friendly tool SRLDC has developed using the
on-line data. This has enhanced the network usage and at the same time enabled the operator in fast
visualization of the grid and saving it from disturbances on many occasions. The paper describes about this
tool, its implementation and experience gained as well as the specific benefits and limitations.

I. INTRODUCTION

Mission of system operator is to ensure stable and
secure power supply to end user at least possible
cost. A most important aspect concerning security
of the grid is its ability to withstand the effects of
various contingencies viz. generation/load loss or
network failures resulting into system
disintegration, voltage collapse/rise and cascaded
trippings. These if not checked in time, have the
potential to cause a major disturbance leading to
even total black out in large areas. The best ways to
avert and/or to mitigate effect of such occurrence is
early visualization of the problem and take
proactive action.
With the fast development of economy and due to
environmental and commercial reasons the bigger
plants are generally set up at pit head locations.
This coupled with deregulation of power market
and concentration of load at central locations is
resulting into wheeling of large power for long
distances, leading to operation of the network closer
to its stability limit. Under such situation, when an
abnormal condition/failure is not addressed and
resolved immediately, the result could be
catastrophic. To reduce the effect of such
occurrences, the system operator should be
equipped to know about these abnormalities at the
earliest in order to take corrective action well in
time.[1]. Wide area monitoring using SCADA/EMS
offers real time accurate information about the
power systems’ condition and such monitoring not
only helps in forming an opinion about system
stability but also provides a good instinct of the
available transfer margin.
The specific advantages available on this account
include power flow optimization, reduction in
losses, averting the chances of black out, reducing
the impact of disturbance and improved planning of
network.
II. SOUTHERN REGION GRID–AN OVERVIEW
Southern Regional (SR) grid is a large system
covering approximately 6,51,000 sq.km area and
comprising the systems of four States viz. Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and
Union Territory of Pondicherry, interconnected
with each other mainly through 400 KV grid
network and few 220 KV inter-State lines. There
are two major Central Generating Stations
connected to the 400 KV grid, viz. Ramagundam
Super Thermal Power Station (3x200 + 4x500 =
2600 MW) in the northern part and Neyveli-I and II
(6x50 + 3x100 + 7x210 + 2x210 = 2490 MW) in
the southern part.
 TO TALCHER
Fig.1 – Southern Regional Grid Map
The installed capacity of Southern Regional Grid is
32,659 MW (as on 31st March 2005) with thermal
(including Nuclear and Gas) and hydro mix in the
ratio of 67:33. The regional grid experiences a peak
demand of around 22000 MW and a large
component of load is predominantly agricultural in
nature.
Since the load in the northern part of the Southern
Grid where Ramagundam and other plants are
equipped is comparatively low, in the past
excessively high quantum of power used to flow
from north to south corridor of the Region, resulting
into critically low voltages in the Central part viz.
around Bangalore and thereby causing system
instability. This problem has largely been
addressed now with the commissioning of 1250 km.
long, + 500 KV, 2000 MW HVDC bi-pole link
between Talcher (Orissa) to Kolar (Karnataka) and
the addition of some more 400 KV lines in the
parallel AC network. Further, the augmentation of
both SR-WR and SR-ER inter-regional links to
1000 MW, each by commissioning of 2x500 MW
HVDC back-to-back links at Bhadrawati and
Gazuwaka respectively have also resulted into
considerable strengthening of the system.
OVERVIEW OF POWER SYSTEM STABILITY
While monitoring and controlling grid stability, it
can be said that frequency instability, angular
instability and voltage instability are the three main
reasons which can generally be encountered and
endanger the system.[2]-[3], [6]
SOUTHE
A. Frequency Instability
Frequency instability occurs due to the mismatch
between load and generation caused by tripping of
generators and / or rejection of loads giving rise to a
sudden change in frequency. In Southern Region,
by operating maximum possible number of units
with their governors in free mode, by automatic
under frequency load shedding and by way of using
special protection schemes, etc. the frequency
stability is being ensured.
B. Voltage Instability:
Lack of adequate reactive power support is the main
cause for the voltage instability. It could be due to
(a) sudden change in the network topology
redirecting the power flows, and/or due to (b)
gradual increase of power demand in such a way
that VAR requirement of some of the buses may not
be met locally. Voltage collapse getting initiated
from a node/set of nodes could result into wide area
voltage instability and can be classified as Transient
(varying from 1 to 3 sec.) or Steady-state (varying
from tens of seconds to several minutes). Transient
voltage instability remedial measures require fast
and automatic actions viz. power system stabilizers
and static VAR compensators, etc., while the
steady-state voltage instability which occurs mainly
due to gradual VAR deficit can be controlled to a
large extent by the timely and prompt intervention
of the system operator and utilities.
C. Angular Instability :
The third and the last instability reason, viz. the
Angular instability is mainly responsible for causing
power oscillations in the system. Lightly meshed
networks, large power flows on long distance power
lines are some of the main reasons for the angular
instability[5]. Transient angular instability caused
due to sudden tripping of load/generator etc can be Microwave and Optical fiber links and use of
prevented only by automatic actions like fast auto dedicated wideband communication has immensely
reclosing, dynamic breaking, switching of series improved the reliability of data. The database at
capacitors, power system stabilizer and static VAR SRLDC comprises of more than 30000 data values
compensators etc. However, the other form of from more than 300 nodes across the region.
angular instability, causing the inter-area modes
oscillations and resulting into swinging of many On-line monitoring of all this data enables the
machines in one part of the system against machines SRLDC operator to have wide area monitoring of
in other part can be addressed to a large extent by the SR Grid as well as inter-regional links. Similar
controlling the network loadability. These data is available in all State Control centers also,
oscillations are mainly experienced when two or facilitating the operators to take the requisite
more large areas are interconnected using some measures for controlling the safety and security of
weak links. Southern Region used to face such their system and take other actions in a most
oscillations very frequently in the past resulting into interactive and transparent manner. A simple
system separations and disturbances. This was sketch enumerating the complexities involved in the
generally used to be caused due to increase of scheme is shown below in figure -3.
power transfer beyond certain limits from the
northern part consisting of two States control area
viz. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to southern part
consisting of another two States viz. Tamil Nadu
and Kerala. In the various incidences, initially, with
the gradual increase in power flow, the frequency of
oscillations used to be less, however if not
controlled, these oscillations used to further
increase leading to even tripping of the tie lines
from northern part to southern part and a typical
case is shown in Fig. 2.
VOLTAGE SWING Fig.3 Complexity of Monitoring

TOOL FOR ANGLE MEASUREMENT

Analyses of the disturbances occurred in southern

DISTURBANCE RECORDER OUTPUT OF BANGALORE-KOLAR AT BANGALORE
DATE:26/09/2002 TIME:10:09 HRS
Fig.2 – Oscillation on Tie-Lines in SR
region in the past, say during last ten (10) years
indicate that most of the disturbances were due to
voltage instability/inter-area oscillation. In order to
visualize the system and to detect voltage
instability/inter-area oscillation the system operator
can have the following options:

Annual
The tool developed and used by SRLDC using the
State of the art SCADA/EMS system was mainly to
A. SCADA
address this issue and has been further elaborated in
the following paragraphs.

IV. SCADA SYSTEM AT SRLDC

Parameters such as voltage of the bus, power flow
on the lines, line length, etc. are available to Ene
estimate the stability limit proximity of a line.
SRLDC has been provided with a state-of-the-art
SCADA/EMS system. This system has three tier
Under real time conditions, however, even with all
the data available from SCADA, it would require
≈
special expertise to visualize the wide area power
hierarchy viz area level, state level and regional
system and to detect the starting of voltage
level. The data transmission from substations to
instability/inter-area oscillation.
control center(s) is through a combination of PLCC,
B. Real time network analysis margins. Following figures 4 and 5, indicate the
variation of δ with respect to power level, voltages
Carrying out online system studies is another and for different line lengths.
widely used method to get the full status of the
Power system. Carrying out on-line studies require
a special skill set and as it would require certain
time to run each case, under emergency situations
,at times, it may exceed the time target

C. Phasor measurement

Using phase measurement units for locating the

Loada
voltage instability is a new tool [4]. This technology

27
is however just picking up and is more suitable for
detecting transient instability for which the system
is equipped for taking automatic mitigation action
are to be taken. 350
Fig.4 Load Angle vs Power for different line lengths
D. Load angle measurement

In order to empower the System Operator to address

the issue of voltage instability/inter-area oscillation,
a simple tool has been devised by SRLDC using the
24 200
data collected through SCADA system. This tool 100
uses the simple and established equation of power
Loada
flow between the two buses.
21
ad Angle in degrees
V1V2
P = Sinδ
X

Where P = Power flow

21 350K
V1
V2
| voltage at sending and receiving
| bus 18
Voltage(kV) at Receiving end

200K
δ Angular difference between two Fig.5 Load Angle vs Voltage for different line lengths
buses.
X Impedance of the line VI. IMPLEMENTATION AND LOGISTICS

19
15
The voltage angular difference between the two As indicated earlier, Southern Regional Grid can
buses can therefore be worked as generally be bifurcated into two large areas, the 100K
northern area comprising of generation cluster
-1 XP around Ramagundam and Simhadri and the
δ = Sin
V1*V2 southern area comprising of generation cluster

12
17
around Neyveli and during disturbances the power
As can be seen above, the single value δ depends on swings were generally being experienced between
a number of factors like power transfer, voltages, these two areas. In order to address this, the angle
length of the line, etc. Monitoring of this single difference between the adjacent buses are calculated
grees

value enables the system operator to visualize the using the power flow equation. Adding of all such
power system condition and enabling him to take differences between two important nodes, say

159
fast proactive action in respect of ensuring the grid between Ramagundam and Neyveli buses through
stability as well as optimally utilizing any available
the set of intervening buses (Ramagundam-
Nagarjunasagar – Cuddapah – Sriperumbudur
-Neyveli) and between Simhadri and Neyveli
through the set of other intervening buses (Simhadri
– Gazuwaka – Vijayawada – Nellore-
Sriperumbudur - Neyveli), the net angular
difference between these coherent groups of
generators is calculated and displayed on the screen.
Based on constant observation and past experience,
it has been seen that power swings between the
coherent groups of generators of Ramagundam/
Simhadri with Neyveli generally starts whenever
the angular difference has exceeded 70°. A typical
By keeping a watch on the angular difference, the
Operator is continuously apprised of the changing
situation and to take further steps with conformity.
VII. TYPICAL EXPERIENCES
The angles observed through this tool is comparable
with those obtained through load flow studies The
figures 7 and 8 shows the variation of δ for various
power flow between AP-KAR and TN_KER system
CHART S HO W ING L O AD ANG LE W IT H REF F ERANCE T O RAM AG UNDAM BUS AT V ARIO US S T AT IO NS F O R
DIFF ERENT P O W ERFL O W BET W EEN AP -KAR AND KER -TN S YST EM
40
35
900M W

1100M W

ANGULAR DIFFERANCE IN
30
Curve of Load angle during a system separation is 25
1350M W

DEGREES
1550M W
20
shown below in Fig 6 15
10
1550MW WITH A TRUNKLINE
OUT

5
0
RA M A G UND A M N 'S A G A R C UD D A P A H S RIP E RUM B UD UR N E YV E L I

LOAD ANGLE BET Fig.7 Chart showing load angle with reference to
Ramagundam bus at various stations
C H AR T S H O W IN G LO AD AN G L E W IT H R E F F E R AN C E TO S I M H AD R I B U S AT V AR I O U S S T AT IO N S F O R
D I F F E R E N T P O W E R F LO W B E TW E E N AP - K AR AN D K E R -T N S Y S TE M
50
9 0 0M W
45
1 1 00M W
40
1 3 50M W
35
1 5 50M W
30
ANGULAR DIFFERANCE IN

25
DEGREES

20
15
10
5
0
Fig.6 Graph of Load Angle during a system separation S IM H A D R I G A ZU W A K A V IJA YA W A D A NE LLORE
S T AT IO N S
S R IP E R U M B U D U R N E YV E L I

80
On this analogy, the load despatcher continuously
monitors this parameter and once the angular Fig.8 Chart showing load angle with reference to
difference crosses 50° to 55°, he immediately Simhadri bus at various stations
cautions the constituents for taking specific actions
stated below This tool has helped the system operators in
Southern Region in managing the grid better. A
(1) Load shedding in the Tamil Nadu-Kerala area typical plot of load angle between Ramagundam

70
particularly if they are overdrawing from grid. and Neyveli bus is shown in Fig. 9 below which
(2) Reduction of generation in the Andhra indicates the trend over the day. At around 18.30
Pradesh-Karnataka particularly if they are hrs. when the angle started crossing above 55°, the
in Degrees

under drawing from the grid. action as mentioned in section VI was taken to
(3) Exporting power to Western and Eastern mitigate the problem and thereby reducing the risk
Regions on opportunity basis. of the disturbance.
(4) Re-routing of power from Gazuwaka HVDC

60
link through Kolar HVDC.
(5) Requesting constituents to reduce reactive
power drawal in specific areas.
(6) Opening of bus reactors at Cuddapah, etc.

50
 system infrastructure for the future. Bejing,
September 2002
5. Protection strategies to mitigate major power
LoadAngleBetweenRamagund
system breakdowns by Mattias Jonsson Thesis
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy ,Chalmer
Univercity of Technology ,Sweden 2003
65 6. Consequence and Impact of electric Utility
Industry Restructuring on Transient Stability
and small signal Stability Analysis Vijay Vittal
Angle in degrees

Fig.9 Load Angle Between Ramagundam and Power System Engineering Research Center
Neyveli typical day plot Web site
60
VIII. LIMITATIONS OF THE TOOL Bibliography:-

(1) Since the SCADA data updates after every

10-15 secs and operator’s intervention is
55
required for taking corrective action, this tool
cannot be used optimally for addressing
transient instability problem.
(2) Non-availability of data from any substation
in the path will result in non-updation of the
50
angle value and in such an event there would be
requirement to obtain these values through
V.K. Agrawal is presently working as
Additional General Manager at SRLDC
alternate paths, if available. This type of and is responsible for operation of the
occurrences, however, are very less owing to power system grid in Southern Region
reliable communication channels and SCADA and for maintaining its safety and
system.
45
(3) This tool is used assuming that load on
security. Mr Agrawal has done his
graduation in Electrical Engineering in
transmission system has not reached thermal 1977 from Delhi College of Engineering
limits. In Southern Region as of now generally followed by M. Tech in Power Apparatus
no 400 KV line loading exceeds thermal limit. and Systems from I.I.T., Delhi. He has a
40
References

1. Reducing the risk of major blackouts through

35
improved power system visualization Thomas J.
Overbye Douglas A. Wiegmann University of
Illinois Submitted to 15th Power System
Computation Conference, August 2005, Liège,
Belgium long experience in respect of Regional
Grid Operation and Commercial aspects
30
2. Special Protection Schemes in Electric
PowerSystem Literature survey Marek Zima 6th in Grid Management is his area of
0

June 2002 eeh power systems laboratory special interest.

3. Power System Stability and control Kundur.P
McGrawhill ,Inc,Ney York 1994 Mr. P.R.Raghuram is presently
4. System for wide area protection control and working as Dy.General Manager at
optimization based on phasor SRLDC and is responsible for operation
measurementsC.Rehtanz.M.Larsson,M.Kaba.J. of the power system grid in Southern
Bertsch Power system and communication Region and for maintaining its safety
and security. He has done his
graduation in Electronics and
Communications Engineering in 1978
from Malnad College of Engineering.He
is a senior member of IEEE. His
interests are Power system Economics
and Protection

Mr. S.P.Kumar is presently working as

a Manager at SRLDC and is responsible
for SCADA-EMS functions. He has done
his graduation in Electrical Engineering
in 1987 from BMS College of
Engineering. His areas of special
interest are Power Markets and Energy
Management System.