2016 International Conference on Cogeneration, Small Power Plants and District Energy (ICUE 2016)
BITEC, Bang-Na, Thailand, 14-16 September 2016
Small Signal Stability and Transient Stability Analysis
on the Philippine-Sabah Power Interconnection
Tristan G. Magallones, Jr.*, Jai Govind Singh and Watcharakorn Pinthurat
Energy Field of Study, Asian Institute of Technology
Bangkok, Thailand
*
Email: tristanmagallones@gmail.com
Abstract— In the advent of multinational cooperation within the
Southeast Asian region, massive connectivity for both goods and
services has been envisioned. Energy systems are ought to be
collaborated to jointly develop a borderless electricity industry
and one of which is the Philippines-Sabah interconnection to be
inaugurated in 2020. This paper presents an analysis on the
small signal stability and transient stability analysis of the
interconnected Philippine-Sabah Power Grid. To achieve these
objectives, eigenvalue analysis and time domain simulations
were employed to probe the ability of the power grids to
withstand large and small disturbances and maintain stable
when connected. The free software, Power Systems Analysis
Toolbox (PSAT), is used to develop the model using MATLAB ®
in Simulink ® environment. There have been no publicly
available studies regarding the new link. This paper ends with
the validation of the dynamic stability of the new
interconnection under various disturbances.
Index Terms—ASEAN Power Grid, Eigenvalues, HVDC, PSAT,
Small Signal Stability
I. INTRODUCTION
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is
one of the transpiring intergovernmental collaborations
established in the 8th of August, 1967. It aims to promote
regional peace together with accelerating cultural and social
development and economic growth. With the emphasis on the
strengthening the economic resilience as well as developing
the energy resources within the region, the association intends
to link its country-members through the ASEAN Power Grid.
This offers an avenue for its constituents to form a borderless
energy electricity industry. Energy security is deemed to be
necessary nowadays to meet the demand augmentation for
which an international cooperation became a promising
solution [1]. The year 2020 marks the realization of the
Philippine-Sabah 500kV High Voltage Direct Current
(HVDC) link as part of this enormous power system [2].
However, this growth entails drawbacks. Reference [3]
stipulated that most of the blackouts are accounted to the
instability due to growth, increased interconnectivity and
control system improvisations in power systems. Since the
Philippine-Sabah link plays a vital role in the energy
exchange between the two grids, it is indispensable to
investigate the stability of this proposed connection. A power
system is nonlinear in nature. It operates in an always
changing environment. In equilibrium, a power system maybe
stable in a certain condition, but in some other type of
disturbance, it may lose synchronism. Thus, in this study, the
authors aim to analyze both the small signal and transient
stability for the proposed link. There are no publicly available
studies with the same objectives though [2] have confirmed
that the system is stable. This paper aims to validate this
using free and open source software called Power System
Analysis Toolbox (PSAT) in Matlab ® environment.
II. METHODOLOGY
A. Small signal stability analysis
A power system’s dynamic behavior can be expressed by a
set of n-1st order nonlinear ordinary differential and algebraic
equations (DAE) [4]. It is in the following form:
(1)
(2)
The differential equations with network equations are
linearized about an operating point and are arranged in state-
space as:
(3)
The way to solve the small signal perturbed model of the
equation is by acquiring its Laplace transform and then the
roots of the characteristic equations are the poles of the
system which can be rewritten as;
(4)
The eigenvalues of matrix A are YDOXHVRIȜȜ Ȝ1Ȝ2Ȝ3…
Ȝn) which satisfy the characteristic equation. These
eigenvalues always appear as conjugate pairs;
(5)
The damping ratios, participation factor of ith mode and the
frequency of oscillation for different cases have been
calculated also alongside the eigenvalues.

B. Transient stability analysis
With the aide of PSAT, the time domain analysis utilized
the numerical integration, particularly the trapezoidal method
[5]. The network model is simulated for 20 seconds in all
cases.
In each generic iteration i DQGJHQHULFWLPHVWHSWǻW$c(i) and
q(i) are as follows:
(6)
(7)
Ac(i) represents a matrix that depends on the algebraic and
state Jacobian matrices of the system while q(i) is a function
that depends on the implicit numerical method. The identity
matrix of the same dimension of the dynamic order of DAE
system is called the Inx. All Jacobian matrices and f(i) are
2016 International Conference on Cogeneration, Small Power Plants and District Energy (ICUE 2016)
BITEC, Bang-Na, Thailand, 14-16 September 2016
(classical). They were modeled where transient voltage in q-
axis is constant and have no mechanical damping and
saturation effects are neglected. In this work, the Model 3 TG
was used for the hydroelectric power generators while the
model 1 is selected for all the conventional thermal
generators, the same with the reference [4]. Some properties
of the system were considered in the former model such as
the inelastic penstock where the inertia of water is taken into
consideration, and also the ideal turbine. All models’
parameters are based on previous literature reviewed [10],
[11] and that of the IEEE standard data.
Luzon is the largest power grid in the Philippines. The
generation capacity in Luzon is 7829 MW [6] with a 500kV
backbone system with a mesh of 230kV in the center. Visayas
is composed of 138kV lines predominantly while 230kV is
still used in some of its connections. The Visayas grid has a
load connections peaking to 1400 MW. The Mindanao grid
computed at the current point (x(i)(t+ ǻW\LWǻWWǻW
III. POWER GRID MODEL DEVELOPMENT
The models utilized in this study are the reduced and
approximate Philippine network representations developed by
[6]. These models are created separately namely: Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao and an additional model, Sabah.
PSAT models for transmission lines, PV generators, PQ load,
substation transformers, and reactive sources were used for
the static power system components. Line lengths, capacities,
interconnectivity and conductor impedances were the data
acquired for the transmission lines in the model and the
transformers’ impedances are then normalized to a common
base MVA rating. In this study, the values given in [7] were
followed for all transformer impendances and were converted
to 100 MVA base. The data that are crucial for the power
flow were the generator’s location or connection point and its
maximum and minimum real and reactive power. All the
grids were modeled with constant power load and the 0.9
power factor were considered for the MW and MVAR. These
loads are receiving high power in a high voltage bus to
minimize the number of buses used. However, the loading
conditions were based on the population in each region for
both Mindanao and Sabah grid models. Shunt compensation
for MVAR are rated with acceptable magnitudes needed to
maintain the acceptable bus voltage levels. The voltage levels
are maintained in the range of 1.05-0.95 p.u.
For the Luzon model, the generation and load data of
WESM [8] on September 9, 2012, period 9 was used while
WESM generation schedule of September 10, 2012, period 4
was used for Visayas reduced model. For the Mindanao
Model, the peak load condition as given from the NGCP
PubCon Presentation was utilized [6]. The load data is 874
MW for the Sabah model which is from the September 23,
2013 [9].
The well-documented PSAT dynamic models for
synchronous generators, turbine governors, automatic voltage
regulators, solar photovoltaic generators and doubly fed
induction generators wind turbines were used for the dynamic
modeling. Synchronous generators were of simple versions
has a new addition of 230kV lines to its original 138kV
transmission and 69kV subtansmission lines. Department of
Energy (DOE) states that Mindanao has a peak of 1300 MW
compared with the generating capacity of 1280 MW, 646
MW is coming from hydro power plants whilst thermal
generating sources amount to 634 MW empowering the 21
provinces of the island [6]. The Sabah power grid has a total
of 2,272 circuit-kilometers of both 275kV and 132 kV. A
total of 1,172.3 MW is the dependable capacity of the Sabah
grid and according to the [9] the maximum demand as
recorded for Sept. 23, 2013 is 874 MW.
The Philippine-Sabah interconnection model studied
assumed that the Philippine national grid is already in
operation, that is, when the Visayas-Mindanao link is already
finished. This Visayas-Mindanao 500 MVA 250kV two pole
HVDC link was part of the 1995 transmission master plan
study of the National Grid of the Philippines [12]. The whole
country’s grid was then linked with the Sabah power grid
with the 500 MW, 500kV HVDC tie line.
IV. SYSTEM STUDIES
The initial phase of the study investigated the existing
systems of both the Philippines and Sabah. The authors made
sure that the systems are working properly. The Luzon-
Visayas, Mindanao and Sabah power grids undergone load
flow simulations and though not shown, the system
parameters, e.g. voltage levels, shows no violations. The
following subsections present the results of the simulations
done with the models before and after the interconnection
(Fig. 1).
A. Existing Grids
The existing systems (Luzon-Visayas, Mindanao and
Sabah) were modeled and simulated in PSAT. Fig 2 depicts
the eigenvalues of the existing systems. The ‘x’ symbol
represents the location of the eigenvalue complex pair as it is
graphed in the real vs. imaginary plane.
 2016 International Conference on Cogeneration, Small Power Plants and District Energy (ICUE 2016)
BITEC, Bang-Na, Thailand, 14-16 September 2016

B. Interconnected System
When the link to Sabah power grid is done, the stable
model of the whole Philippine power grid was utilized. The
whole system has 126 buses with 531 states considered 80 of
which are complex pairs when the eigenvalue analysis in
employed. The Fig. 3 depicts the left side of the plane when
Luzon the eigenvalues are plotted. The system is stable.

Visayas

Fig. 3. Philippine-Sabah model eigenvalues.

Sabah The Table I itemizes the least damped eigenvalues. It is the

same states, rotor angle and rotor speed grealty influenced
the instability of the system. This is in congruence to the
Myanmar Grid system [4]. This may be a reason why it is the
one which is closely taken into account of all the dynamic
parts. Aside from the eigenvalue No. 196 and 197 which is
inter area in nature, the critical modes are mostly local in
nature. This perhaps is caused by the tie-lines between these 5
areas. To improve this eigenvalue, a strong HVDC
transmission line should be installed because this is an
Mindanao asynchronous interconnection, (already in plan [2]). The
models in IEEE [5] are to which the parameters of the HVDC
Fig.1. Philippine-Sabah PSAT model. link used in this study are based on.

TABLE I. CRITICAL MODES OF PHILIPPINE-SABAH POWER GRID

Eigen Most Associated Real Imag. FrequencyDamping
value No. States part Part Ratio
246 & 247 Rotor Speed & Angle
-0.0920 ±5.1243 0.8157 0.0180
Mach. No. 40
196 & 197 Rotor Speed & Angle
-0.0792 ±4.0683 0.6476 0.0195
Mach. No. 18
180 & 181 Rotor Speed & Angle
-0.2087 ±6.4383 1.0252 0.0324
Mach. No. 1
190 & 191 Rotor Speed & Angle
-0.2041 ±6.0048 0.9562 0.0340
Mach. No. 20
198 & 199 Rotor Speed & Angle
-0.2381 ±6.1691 0.9826 0.0386
Fig. 2. Philippine PSAT model eigenvalues (a) Isolated Luzon-Visayas (b) Mach. No. 37
isolated Mindanao (c) Sabah.
When the small signal stability of the system is concerned,
The broken lines are known as the damping lines. The line the results of this eigenvalue analysis concur that the
closest to the Y axis is the 1% damping line, whereas the impending international connection of Philippines to Sabah is
farthest represents the 10% damping. The closer the possible and it imposes no major problem.
eigenvalue to the imaginary line, the less stable it is. The The system was also subjected to time domain simulations
most associated states for the less stable eigenvalues are the for the fault analysis. When a fault is introduced at one of the
rotor speed and rotor angles. Evidently, the existing systems buses in Mindanao, the voltage behavior of the entire system
eigenvalues are stable as shown in Fig 2. The points are all is relatively stable. Mindanao is the most troubled, due to
located in the left side of the imaginary line. This indicates lesser capacity than its growing demands, so most problems
that the mechanical oscillations on the existing power plants, may occur in the said area that is why this area was selected
as modeled, are properly damped. Thus it is stable.

since of all the grids. Fig. 4 does not show any evidence of
instability when the systems voltage, rotor speed and rotor
angles are considered. After clearing the fault after 5 cycles,
the fluctuations smoothened as time passes.
(a)
(b)
(c)
Fig. 4. Philippine-Sabah PSAT model time domain simulations (a) voltage
(b) rotor speed (c) rotor angles
V. CONCLUSION
This paper presents an analysis on the Philippine power
grid when connected to the existing power grid in Sabah,
Malaysia as part of the ASEAN power grid. Models are
created in PSAT and tested using load flow, eigenvalue
analysis and fault analysis with following highlights:
x Eigenvalue analysis shows that small signal disturbances
do not pose a major problem after the linkage, however,
2016 International Conference on Cogeneration, Small Power Plants and District Energy (ICUE 2016)
BITEC, Bang-Na, Thailand, 14-16 September 2016
rotor angles and rotor speeds greatly influenced the least
damped eigenvalues;
x In the transient analysis, fault clearing time with 5 cycles is
enough for the whole Philippine system to be stable;
x From this outcome, the Philippine-Sabah 500 MW HVDC
link found no issues in the system.
Moreover, it would be good to expand the scope of the
study among neighboring countries (like Malaysia, Brunei,
Indonesia) to study an international cooperation like ASEAN
as a whole or Asian Super Grid.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The first author would like to thank ADB JSP scholarship to
pursue his master study at AIT, where carried out this work, and also
extend his deep gratitude to Engr. Edwin B. Cano of the NYISO for
the generous support by providing data for Philippine power system.
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