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SynchroPhasor measurement provides high resolution and time-synchronized data, which exposes the complex dynamics of the power systems across wide areas. Taking advantage of this technology, the Real-Time Dynamics Monitoring System (RTDMS ® ) Platform for on-line wide area dynamics monitoring has been developed by Electric Power Group. The platform utilizes an open and modular architecture and offers a suite of applications for real-time reliability monitoring, analysis and alarming. This paper provides an overview of the developed platform including system architecture, application function and visualization features.

This paper describes the use of Real Time Dynamics Monitoring System (RTDMS®) for use with SynchroPhasor System Technology (SPST). Analysis of some major power blackouts in US and other countries have shown that monitoring power system status and dynamic transient events in real-time can enable the operators to identify deteriorating system conditions early and help them take preventative actions to avoid or reduce likelihood of blackouts. Using RTDMS to monitor the power system with SynchroPhasor technology is expected to improve reliability, provide wide area visibility over multiple control areas, and provide system operators with real-time measurement of key grid metrics, including phase angles, oscillation modes, energy and modal damping. These grid dynamics indicators cannot be obtained in real-time from the existing historic tools such as SCADA or State Estimators. The SPST has great potential for enhancing power system stability and increasing power transmission system capability through high speed response based controls. Given, the proper visualization and analysis tools, this technology can assist operators in avoiding major system disturbances like the North American blackouts that occurred in Western US on August 10, 1996 and in Northeast US and Canada on August 14, 2003. The paper will outline the use of RTDMS with SPST and describes how it enhances the visibility of the power system. The RTDMS is in use at several ISOs and utility locations in North America.

The Real Time Dynamics Monitoring System (RTDMS) has been developed to enable utilization of time-synchronized phasor measurements for reliability management with the overall objective of accelerating the adoption and fostering greater use of the technology within North America. Since 2003, it has been serving as a platform to translate research concepts and algorithms into actual applications for power system operators, reliability coordinators, and operating engineers both within the Eastern and Western Interconnections. The system supports an open, scalable and modular system design that adheres to a Server-Client architecture offering a suite of applications for wide-area real time visibility, monitoring and alarming on key metrics related to grid stress, dynamics, and the power system’s proximity to instability, and performing offline forensic event analysis and baselining functions on normal operating conditions, limits and alarms. This paper provides an overview of the RTDMS system: its system architecture functionalities and applications.