Real-Time Grid Reliability Management (2008): PIER Final Project Report

The increased need to manage California's electricity grid in real time is a result of the ongoing transition from a system operated by vertically integrated utilities serving native loads to one operated by an independent system operator supporting competitive energy markets. During this transition period, the traditional approach to reliability management — construction of new transmission lines — has not been pursued due to unresolved issues related to the financing and recovery of transmission project costs. In the absence of investments in new transmission infrastructure, the best strategy for managing reliability is to equip system operators with better real‐time information about actual operating margins so that they can better understand and manage the risk of operating closer to the edge. A companion strategy is to address known deficiencies in offline modeling tools that are needed to ground the use of improved real‐time tools.

This project developed and conducted first‐ever demonstrations of two prototype real‐time software tools for voltage security assessment and phasor monitoring and prepared a scoping study on improving load and generator response models. Additional funding through two subsequent work authorizations has already been provided to build upon the work initiated in this project.

Also the following related documents:

• Appendix A: California ISO Real Time Voltage Security Assessment (VSA) Project: Summary of Survey Results on Methodologies for use in Real-Time Voltage Security Assessment
• Appendix B: California ISO Real Time Voltage Security Assessment (VSA) Summary Report
• Appendix C: California ISO Real Time Voltage Security Assessment (VSA) Prototype Functional Specifications/Prototype Development
• Appendix D: California ISO Phasor Application Summary Report
• Appendix E: Prototype Phasor-Based Real-Time Monitoring Software Tool - Training Presentation
• Appendix F: Prototype Phasor-Based Real-Time Monitoring Software Tool - User Guide
• Appendix G: Scoping Study Report on Improving Load and Generator Response Models