1

How the Power Grid Behaves

Tom Overbye
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
 2

Presentation Overview

Goal is to demonstrate operation of large scale

power grid.
Emphasis on the impact of the transmission syste.
Introduce basic power flow concepts through
small system examples.
Finish with simulation of Eastern U.S. System.
 3

PowerWorld Simulator

PowerWorld Simulator is an interactive, Windows

based simulation program, originally designed at
University of Illinois for teaching basics of power
system operations to non-power engineers.
PowerWorld Simulator can now study systems of
just about any size.
 4

Eastern Interconnect Operating Areas

NSP

DPC
WPS

ONT HYDR
NYPP
CORNWALL
NEPOOL

Ovals
SMP

IPW
WPL
MGE

WEP

CONS
DECO

represent
operating
PENELEC PP&L

MEC
NI TE PSE&G
OE
CEI
PJM500
DLCO
MPW CILCO NIPS JCP&L
NPPD OPPD PECO
AEP

LES
IESC

CWLP
IP

IPL
DPL

AP
METED

BG&E
AE

areas
CIN PEPCO DPL
CIPS
STJO
MIPU HE
MIDW
KACY IMPA
OVEC

VP

SIGE BREC
WERE KACP EMO

INDN SIPC EKPC

ASEC
EEI

DOE
LGE
KU

CPLW
YADKIN
Arrows
indicate
EMDE

OMPA GRRD SPRM

CPLE
DUKE

WEFA

KAMO
SWPA

power flow
HARTWELL

SEPA-JST

OKGE
PSOK
SCE&G
SCPSA

in MW
SOUTHERN

ENTR SEPA-RBR

between
AEC

SWEP

EQ-ERCOT

CELE
LAFA
SMEPA

TAL

SEC
JEA

areas
 5

Zoomed View of Midwest

WEP
WPL
CONS

NI TE

CE I

CILCO NIPS

IP

CWLP DPL
IPL

CIN
CIPS
HE
IMPA
OVEC

SIGE
EMO BREC

SIPC
 6

Power System Basics

All power systems have three major components:

Generation, Load and Transmission.
Generation: Creates electric power.
Load: Consumes electric power.
Transmission: Transmits electric power from
generation to load.
 7

One-line Diagram

Most power systems are balanced three phase

systems.
A balanced three phase system can be modeled as
a single (or one) line.
One-lines show the major power system
components, such as generators, loads,
transmission lines.
Components join together at a bus.
 8

Eastern North American High Voltage

Transmission Grid
HAWTHORN

MASS 765
-210 MVR

BRUJB561
BRUJB569
BRUJB562
ESSA

CLAIRVIL

MILTON
TRAFALH2
TRAFALH1

BECK B NIAG 345

676
KINTI345
50676
MW
MVR
50 MVR
MW
PANNELL3
INDEPNDC
OSWEGO
9MI PT1
JA PITZP
SCRIBA
VOLNEY

ELBRIDGE
CLAY
DEWITT 3
LAFAYTTE
-202 MVR
MARCY T1
EDIC

REYNLD3
Figure shows
ROCH 345
ALPS345

transmission
BECK A 146 MVR
N.SCOT99

MIDD8086 250
45 MW
0
0 MW
MVRMVR
STOLE345 145 MVR
GILB 345
NANTICOK 250 MW
0 MW 286 MVR
45 MVR
0 MVR LEEDS 3
LONGWOOD
FRASR345
294 MVR

OAKDL345 HURLEY 3

WATERC345 PLTVLLEY
FISHKILL
294 MVR
ROSETON
COOPC345
348
262 MW
0
0 MW
MVRMVR Indian Point
ROCK TAV
143 MVR Buchanan
Millwood
Pleasantville
Eastview
RAMAPO 5
Shoreham
Port Jefferson
Wildwood

lines at 345
Dunwoodie Sprain Brook Northport Riverhead
Dvnpt.
Elwood
NK Holbrook Brookhaven
Tremont Hmp. Harbor
Greelawn
SUSQHANA Shore Rd. Syosset
Pilgrim Holtsville
Rainey Lcst.
Lake Success Bethpage
Grv.
NewbridgeRuland Rd.
WE49th
15thSt.
St.Corona
E.G.C.
Farragut
Vernon
Jamaica
Cogen
Gowanus
Tech Valley Stream
Barrett
SUNBURY Goethals Greenwood
Fresh Kills
Fox Hills
WESCOVLE
BRANCHBG
ALBURTIS
HOSENSAK
KEYSTONE DEANS
SMITHBRG
ELROY
JUNIATA
LIMERICK
WHITPAIN
CONEM-GH
3 MILE I

01YUKON
1093MVR
250 MW
HUNTERTN PEACHBTM
KEENEY
1094 MW
250 MVR

kV or above
CNASTONE

BRIGHTON

W CHAPEL

8MT STM
08MDWBRK 8LOUDON
8CLIFTON BURCHES
8OX
8POSSUM CHALK500
CLVT CLF
8MORRSVL
829
273
828
293
MVR
MWMW
MVR

07MEROM5

8VALLEY

300
9300

300
MVR
MW
300
99

9300
MW
MVR
MVR
MW

9320
MW
MVR
MW
8BATH
MVR
9 MVR
MW
CO

8LEXNGTN
8DOOMS

8CLOVER
-114MW
893 MVR
8NO ANNA
897 MW
-110 MVR
8LDYSMTH

8ELMONT

8MDLTHAN

8CARSON
8CHCKAHM
801 MW
-127 MVR
8SURRY

8SEPTA

8YADKIN
8FENTRES
in Eastern
U.S.
8ANTIOCH
8SHAWNEE

8PERSON 8MAYO 1
8MARSHAL 05NAGEL

8PHIPP B
8SULLIVA
8MONTGOM 0 MVR

8PARKWOD
8PL GRDN
8VOLUNTE 0 MVR
8WILSON 8WAKE
8WEAKLEY 8BULL RU
8ROANE
8DAVIDSO
8JVILLE

8MAURY
8WBNP 1 8MCGUIRE
1129 MW
8JACKSON 0183
MVRMVR
8FRANKLI
8SNP 8CUMBERL
8SHELBY 8RICHMON
8RACCOON 8JOCASSE
8CORDOVA
340 MVR 8BAD CRK
WM-EHV 8 8WID CRK 8OCONEE
0 MVR
8MADISON 8BNP 1
8FREEPOR
8LIMESTO 8BNP 2
8BFNP

8TRINITY

8UNION
8BOWEN

8BULLSLU
8BIG SHA
8NORCROS

8VILLA R 8KLONDIK

8UNIONCT
8W POINT 8MILLER

8LOWNDES 8WANSLEY

8S. BESS 8SCHERER

MCADAM 8

8HATCH8

8FARLEY
 9

Zoomed View of Midwest

PAD 345 05BENTON

ZION ; B

Arrows
ZION ; R 19MADRD
WEMPL; B

WEMPL; R 1115 MW
-185 MVR
LIBER; R
SILVE; R
NB159;1M
05COOK
NB159; B
CHERR; R 600 MW
CHERR; B PH117; R -41 MVR
03BAY SH
05KENZIE

53% GOLF ; R SK 88; R

19MAJTC

indicate MW
DP 46; B
GOLF ; B SK 88; B 03DAV-BE
DP 46; R
WAYNE; R 05TWIN B
BYRON; R W407K; R
BYRON; B W407M;9T
W407K;9T 05OLIVE 05EELKHA
ITASC;1M 05JACKSR 17HIPLE

03LEMOYN
ELMHU; B TAYLO; B 17MCHCTY
LOMBA; B CRAWF; B
ELMHU; R TAYLO; R
LOMBA; R
CRAWF; R

????? 05DUMONT
17DUNACR
H471 ; ELECT; B GARFI; B

ELECT; R 17STLWEL
BEDFO; R

flow on the
MCCOO; B CALUM; B
SLINE; R
SLINE; B
NELSO; B MCCOO; R 17CHIAVE
BEDFO;RT 17BABCOK 05S.BTLR
LISLE; B
17SHEFLD
LISLE; R
BURNH; B
GOODI;3B
GOODI;1R 17LKGORG
17TWR RD
BURNH;4M
BURNH;0R
17MUNSTR 05COLNGW
GOODI;4B
GOODI;2R B ISL; R
BURNH;1R
05FOSTOR
LOCKP; B G ACR; T
S JOH; T
17LESBRG
17GRNACR
PLANO; B LOCKP; R
BLOOM; R 17BUROAK 05ROB PK
17STJOHN
PLANO; R E FRA; B
JO 29; B
JO 29; R E FRA; R
PLANO;
WILTO; 05ALLEN
WILTO;

lines;
17SCHAHF

DRESD; B
DRESD; R
05SORENS
COLLI; R
COLLI;
DAVIS; B 05E LIMA
LASCO; B
02GALION
DAVIS; R 08DEEDSV
LASCO; R

BRAID; B
05REYNOL
BRAID; R

piecharts
05SW LIM

05DEQUIN
08WALTON

56% 08WESTWD
05GRNTWN
02TANGY

PONTI; ?????

show
05MARYSV 05HYATT

TAZEWELL

POWER; R 05DESOTO
05CORRID
POWER; B
09NETAP 09CLINTO
05HAYDEN
05ROBERT

DUCK CRK
BROKA; T

?????

08WHITST
16GUION
08NOBLSV

05FALL C

?????
09KILLEN

09BATH
05BEATTY
percentage
08NUCOR 16SUNNYS

loading of
CLINTON

RISING 05EUGENE 08GRNBOR 09GIVENS

BUNSONVL
SIDNEY 16ROCKVL
08CAYUGA
MAROA W MAROA E

08CAY CT 16THOMPS 16HANNA

LATHA; T

OREANA E
16STOUT
08GWYNN

08TDHNTR

lines
09URBANA
?????
08WODSDL
KANSAS
08FOSTER

69%
08DRESSR 08P.UNON

KINCA;
07BLOMNG

08M.FTHS
08TERMNL

PAWNEE

PANA
NEOGA
CASEY
62% 08OKLND

05TANNER
200 MW
6 MVR 08M.FORT 08REDBK1
05MARQUI
05BREED

60%
500 MW 08REDBK2
25 MVR
05SULLVA
06DEARBN 08SGROVE
07WORTHN

RAMSEY
08COLMBU 62% 06PIERCE

?????
07MEROM5
08ZIMER
08EBEND
COFFEN N
COFFEEN 08BUFTN1
NEWTON ?????

????? 09CARGIL
08ALENJT
05JEFRSO

08BEDFRD
12GHENT
06CLIFTY

70%
 10

Example Three Bus System

Pie charts Bus 2

-17 MW 17 MW
Bus 1
show
3 MVR -3 MVR Generator
1.00 pu

percentage 200 MW
100 MVR
1.00 pu
loading of
100 MW
lines 2 MVR
-33 MW -17 MW
150 MW AGC ON
10 MVR 5 MVR 100 MW
114 MVR AVR ON
33 MW 17 MW
-10 MVR -5 MVR
Bus 3 1.00 pu

100 MW
50 MVR Load
150 MW AGC ON
Bus 35 MVR AVR ON
Circuit Breaker
 11

Generation

Large plants predominate, with sizes up to about

1500 MW.
Coal is most common source, followed by hydro,
nuclear and gas.
Gas is now most economical.
Generated at about 20 kV.
 12

Loads

Can range in size from less than a single watt to

10s of MW.
Loads are usually aggregated.
The aggregate load changes with time, with
strong daily, weekly and seasonal cycles.
 13

Transmission

Goal is to move electric power from generation to

load with as low of losses and cost as possible.
P = V I or P/V = I
Losses are I2 R
Less losses at higher voltages, but more costly to
construct and insulate.
 14

Transmission and Distribution

Typical high voltage transmission voltages are

500, 345, 230, 161, 138 and 69 kV.
Transmission tends to be a grid system, so each
bus is supplied from two or more directions.
Lower voltage lines are used for distribution, with
a typical voltage of 12.4 kV.
Distribution systems tend to be radial.
Transformers are used to change the voltage.
 15

Other One-line Objects

Circuit Breakers - Used to open/close devices; red

is closed, green is open.
Pie Charts - Show percentage loading of
transmission lines.
Up/down arrows - Used to control devices.
Values - Show current values for different
quantities.
 16

Power Balance Constraints

Power flow refers to how the power is moving

through the system.
At all times the total power flowing into any bus
MUST be zero!
This is know as Kirchhoffs law. And it can not
be repealed or modified.
Power is lost in the transmission system.
 17

Basic Power Control

Opening a circuit breaker causes the power flow

to instantaneously(nearly) change.
No other way to directly control power flow in a
transmission line.
By changing generation we can indirectly change
this flow.
 18

Flow Redistribution Following Opening

Line Circuit Breaker
-50 MW 50 MW
Bus 2 11 MVR -9 MVR Bus 1
1.00 pu
200 MW
100 MVR
1.00 pu
101 MW
6 MVR
0 MW -50 MW
150 MW AGC ON
0 MVR 16 MVR 100 MW
111 MVR AVR ON
0 MW 50 MW
0 MVR -14 MVR
Bus 3 1.00 pu
No flow on 100 MW
50 MVR
open line 150 MW AGC ON
36 MVR AVR ON
Power Balance must
be satisfied at each bus
 19

Indirect Control of Line Flow

16 MW -16 MW
Bus 2 -3 MVR 3 MVR Bus 1
1.00 pu
200 MW
100 MVR
1.00 pu
2 MW
30 MVR
-66 MW -82 MW
150 MW AGC ON
21 MVR 27 MVR 100 MW
118 MVR AVR ON
67 MW 83 MW
-19 MVR -23 MVR
1.00 pu
Generator change
Bus 3
100 MW
indirectly changes
50 MVR
Generator MW 250 MW OFF AGC
line flow
output changed 8 MVR AVR ON
 20

Transmission Line Limits

Power flow in transmission line is limited by a

number of considerations.
Losses (I2 R) can heat up the line, causing it to
sag. This gives line an upper thermal limit.
Thermal limits depend upon ambient conditions.
Many utilities use winter/summer limits.
 21

Overloaded Transmission Line

-152 MW 154 MW
Bus 2 37 MVR -24 MVR Bus 1
104% 104% 1.00 pu
359 MW
179 MVR
1.00 pu Thermal limit
of 150 MVA 343 MW
-49 MVR
-57 MW 89 MW
150 MW AGC ON
18 MVR -24 MVR 100 MW
234 MVR AVR ON
58 MW -87 MW
-16 MVR 29 MVR
Bus 3 1.00 pu

179 MW
90 MVR
150 MW AGC ON
102 MVR AVR ON
 22

Interconnected Operation

Power systems are interconnected across large

distances. For example most of North American
east of the Rockies is one system, with most of
Texas and Quebec being major exceptions
Individual utilities only own and operate a small
portion of the system, which is referred to an
operating area (or an area).
 23

Operating Areas

Areas constitute a structure imposed on grid.

Transmission lines that join two areas are known
as tie-lines.
The net power out of an area is the sum of the
flow on its tie-lines.
The flow out of an area is equal to
total gen - total load - total losses = tie-flow
 24

Three Bus System Split into Two Areas

Initially Bus 2
-29 MW
6 MVR
29 MW
-6 MVR Bus 1
area flow 1.00 pu
214 MW
is not 107 MVR
1.00 pu
controlled 121 MW
-3 MVR
-35 MW -8 MW
150 MW AGC ON
11 MVR 2 MVR 100 MW
124 MVR AVR ON
35 MW 8 MW
-10 MVR -2 MVR Area 2
Home Area
Bus 3 1.00 pu

Scheduled Transactions 107 MW

53 MVR
Net tie flow
0.0 MW 150 MW AGC ON is NOT zero
Off AGC 41 MVR AVR ON
 25

Area Control Error (ACE)

The area control error mostly the difference

between the actual flow out of area, and
scheduled flow.
ACE also includes a frequency component.
Ideally the ACE should always be zero.
Because the load is constantly changing, each
utility must constantly change its generation to
chase the ACE.
 26

Home Area ACE

-12 MW 12 MW
Bus 2 2 MVR -2 MVR Bus 1
1.00 pu
255 MW 20.0
128 MVR
1.00 pu
10.0 106 MW

Area Control Error (MW)

-1 MVR
-6 MW
227 MW OFF AGC -17 MW 0.0
5 MVR 2 MVR 100 MW
135 MVR AVR ON
17 MW 6 MW
-5 MVR
-10.0
-2 MVR Area 2
Home Area
Bus 3 1.00 pu
-20.0
Scheduled Transactions 12806:30
MW AM 06:15 AM
64 MVR Time

0.0 MW 150 MW AGC ON

Off AGC 57 MVR AVR ON
ACE changes with time
 27

Inadvertent Interchange

ACE can never be held exactly at zero.

Integrating the ACE gives the inadvertent
interchange, expressed in MWh.
Utilities keep track of this value. If it gets
sufficiently negative they will pay back the
accumulated energy.
In extreme cases inadvertent energy is purchased
at a negotiated price.
 28

Automatic Generation Control

Most utilities use automatic generation control

(AGC) to automatically change their generation to
keep their ACE close to zero.
Usually the utility control center calculates ACE
based upon tie-line flows; then the AGC module
sends control signals out to the generators every
couple seconds.
 29

Three Bus Case on AGC

-22 MW 22 MW
Bus 2 4 MVR -4 MVR Bus 1
1.00 pu
214 MW
107 MVR
1.00 pu
100 MW
2 MVR
-42 MW -22 MW
150 MW AGC ON
13 MVR 7 MVR 100 MW
124 MVR AVR ON
42 MW 22 MW
-12 MVR -6 MVR Area 2
Home Area
Bus 3 1.00 pu

Scheduled Transactions 107 MW

53 MVR
With AGC on, net
0.0 MW 171 MW AGC ON tie flow is zero, but
ED 35 MVR AVR ON
individual line flows
are not zero
 30

Generator Costs

There are many fixed and variable costs

associated with power system operation.
Generation is major variable cost.
For some types of units (such as hydro and
nuclear) it is difficult to quantify.
For thermal units it is much easier. There are four
major curves, each expressing a quantity as a
function of the MW output of the unit.
 31

Generator Cost Curves

Input-output (IO) curve: Shows relationship

between MW output and energy input in Mbtu/hr.
Fuel-cost curve: Input-output curve scaled by a
fuel cost expressed in $ / Mbtu.
Heat-rate curve: shows relationship between MW
output and energy input (Mbtu / MWhr).
Incremental (marginal) cost curve shows the cost
to produce the next MWhr.
 32

Example Generator Fuel-Cost Curve

Y-axis 10000

tells
cost to 7500
Fuel-cost ($/hr)

produce
specified 5000
power
(MW) in Current generator
2500
$/hr operating point
0
0 150 300 450 600
Generator Power (MW)
 33

Example Generator Marginal Cost

Curve
20.0
Y-axis Incremental cost ($/MWH)

tells
15.0
marginal
cost to
10.0
produce Current generator
one more operating point
MWhr in 5.0

$/MWhr
0.0
0 150 300 450 600
Generator Power (MW)
 34

Economic Dispatch

Economic dispatch (ED) determines the least cost

dispatch of generation for an area.
For a lossless system, the ED occurs when all the
generators have equal marginal costs.
IC1(PG,1) = IC2(PG,2) = = ICm(PG,m)
 35

Power Transactions

Power transactions are contracts between areas to

do power transactions.
Contracts can be for any amount of time at any
price for any amount of power.
Scheduled power transactions are implemented by
modifying the area ACE:
ACE = Pactual,tie-flow - Psched
 36

Implementation of 100 MW Transaction

-31 MW 31 MW
Bus 2 6 MVR -6 MVR Bus 1
1.00 pu
Overloaded 340 MW
170 MVR
line 1.00 pu
1 MW
112% 38 MVR
-159 MW -130 MW
150 MW AGC ON
55 MVR 44 MVR 100 MW
232 MVR AVR ON
163 MW 112% 133 MW
-41 MVR -35 MVR Area 2
Home Area
Bus 3 1.00 pu

170 MW
Scheduled Transactions
85 MVR Net tie flow is
100.0 MW 466 MW AGC ON
9 MVR AVR ON
now 100 MW from
ED
left to right
Scheduled Transaction
 37

Security Constrained ED

Transmission constraints often limit system

economics.
Such limits required a constrained dispatch in
order to maintain system security.
In three bus case the generation at bus 3 must be
constrained to avoid overloading the line from bus
2 to bus 3.
 38

Security Constrained Dispatch

Gens 2 &3 Bus 2

-22 MW
4 MVR
22 MW
-4 MVR Bus 1
changed to 1.00 pu
340 MW
remove 170 MVR
1.00 pu
overload -0 MW
100% 37 MVR
-122 MW
177 MW OFF AGC -142 MW
49 MVR 41 MVR 100 MW
223 MVR AVR ON
145 MW 100% 124 MW
-37 MVR -33 MVR Area 2
Home Area
Bus 3 1.00 pu

Scheduled Transactions 170 MW Net tie flow is

85 MVR
100.0 MW 439 MW AGC ON
still 100 MW from
ED 15 MVR AVR ON left to right
 39

Multi-Area Operation

The electrons are not concerned with area

boundaries. Actual power flows through the
entire network according to impedance of the
transmission lines.
If Areas have direct interconnections, then they
can directly transact up their tie-line capacity.
Flow through other areas is known as parallel
path or loop flows.
 40

Seven Bus, Thee Area Case One-line

44 MW -42 MW -31 MW 31 MW 80 MW
Area 1.05 pu 0.99 pu
30 MVR
3 4
Top 1
62 MW 106 MW -37 MW 110 MW -32 MW
1.00 pu

has 5 AGC ON 40 MVR

ACE for
94 MW
buses 38 MW
Case Hourly Cost
16933 $/MWH
AGC ON each area
-14 MW
-61 MW
1.04 pu
32 MW
79 MW -77 MW 1.01 pu
is zero
Top Area Cost 5
2
8029 $/MWH
40 MW -39 MW 130 MW
40 MW
20 MVR 40 MVR
168 MW AGC ON
-40 MW 40 MW
20 MW -20 MW
1.04 pu 1.04 pu
6 20 MW 7
-20 MW
200 MW 200 MW
Left Area Cost Right Area Cost
0 MVR 0 MVR
4189 $/MWH 4715 $/MWH
200 MW AGC ON 201 MW AGC ON

Area Left has one bus Area Right has one bus
 41

Seven Bus Case: Area View

Area Losses Actual

Top 7.09 MW flow
40.1 MW
between
0.0 MW -40.1 MW areas
0.0 MW

Scheduled
flow
Left Right between
Area Losses 40.1 MW Area Losses areas
0.33 MW 0.0 MW 0.65 MW
 42

Seven Bus Case with 100 MW Transfer

Area Losses
Top 9.45 MW
Losses
4.8 MW went up
0.0 MW -4.8 MW
0.0 MW from
7.09
MW

Left Right
Area Losses 104.8 MW Area Losses
0.00 MW 100.0 MW 4.34 MW

100 MW Scheduled Transfer from Left to Right

 43

Seven Bus Case One-line

45 MW -44 MW -27 MW 27 MW 80 MW
Transfer 1.05 pu 3
0.99 pu
4
30 MVR
1 1.00 pu
also 60 MW 106 MW -39 MW 110 MW -35 MW
AGC ON 40 MVR
overloads 97 MW
Case Hourly Cost
line in Top 40 MW 16654 $/MWH
AGC ON
-24 MW
-60 MW
1.04 pu
36 MW 106% 1.01 pu
106 MW -102 MW
Top Area Cost 5
2
8069 $/MWH
40 MW -4 MW 130 MW
5 MW
20 MVR 40 MVR
167 MW AGC ON
-5 MW 5 MW
52 MW -50 MW
1.04 pu 1.04 pu
6 52 MW 7
-50 MW
200 MW 200 MW
Left Area Cost Right Area Cost
0 MVR 0 MVR
5943 $/MWH 2642 $/MWH
300 MW AGC ON 104 MW AGC ON
 44

Transmission Service

FERC Order No. 888 requires utilities provide

non-discriminatory open transmission access
through tariffs of general applicability.
FERC Order No. 889 requires transmission
providers set up OASIS (Open Access Same-Time
Information System) to show available
transmission.
 45

Transmission Service

If areas (or pools) are not directly interconnected,

they must first obtain a contiguous contract
path.
This is NOT a physical requirement.
Utilities on the contract path are compensated for
wheeling the power.
 46

Eastern Interconnect Example

NSP CORNWALL
NEPOOL
WPS

NYPP
ONT HYDR
DPC

Arrows
SMP

MGE
DECO

WEP
WPL
CONS

IPW

indicate
PENELEC PP&L

MEC
NI TE PSE&G
OE
CEI
PJM500
DLCO
MPW CILCO NIPS JCP&L

PECO

the
OPPD AEP

METED
IP
IESC
AE
CWLP DPL
BG&E
IPL

AP

KACY
STJO
MIPU
CIPS

HE

IMPA
CIN

OVEC

VP
PEPCO DPL

basecase
KACP

INDN
EMO

EEI
SIPC
SIGE

LGE
BREC

KU
EKPC
flow
between
ASEC

YADKIN
DOE
CPLW

EMDE
GRRD SPRM
CPLE
DUKE

KAMO
SWPA
HARTWELL
areas
SEPA-JST

PSOK

SCE&G

SCPSA
SOUTHERN

ENTR SEPA-RBR

AEC

SWEP
 47

Power Transfer Distribution Factors

(PTDFs)
PTDFs are used to show how a particular
transaction will affect the system.
Power transfers through the system according to
the impedances of the lines, without respect to
ownership.
All transmission players in network could be
impacted, to a greater or lesser extent.
 48

PTDFs for Transfer from Wisconsin

Electric to TVA
NSP CORNWALL

WPS

19%

10% SMP
DPC
54%
MGE
55%
DECO
ONT HYDR
NYPP

Piecharts
8%

7%
IPW
WPL 10%

22%
WEP

55%
CONS
7%

PENELEC PP&L
indicate
MEC

percentage
8% NI TE
OE
CEI
8% 39% 7% DLCO
PJM500
7% MPW CILCO 8% 16% NIPS

NPPD
OPPD
13% AEP
PECO

6%
LES

9%
IESC

CWLP
7%
IP

IPL
DPL
6%
5%
6%
METED

BG&E
of transfer
AP

MIDW
KACY
STJO
MIPU
CIPS

HE

IMPA
CIN

OVEC

9%
PEPCO

that will
11%

flow
VP

SIGE
BREC
WERE 8% KACP EMO

INDN SIPC EKPC

KU
LGE 9%

ASEC 13%
EEI

DOE
6% 7%
19%

CPLW
8%
YADKIN
between
10%

specified
EMDE

OMPA GRRD SPRM

CPLE
DUKE 7%
11%
WEFA

KAMO
SWPA

25% 20%
11% HARTWELL

SEPA-JST
areas
OKGE
PSOK

SCE&G
SCPSA
SOUTHERN

6%

ENTR SEPA-RBR
 49

PTDF for Transfer from WE to TVA

NSP

WPS

19%
DPC
55%
100% of
10% 54%
SMP

MGE
DECO
transfer
8%

WPL 10% WEP

CONS
7% leaves
7%
IPW
22% 55% Wisconsin
MEC
8% NI

39%
TE

7%
Electric
7% 8% 16%
OPPD
MPW CILCO 8% NIPS

13% (WE)
IP
IESC

CWLP DPL

9% 7% IPL 6%

CIPS
STJO
MIPU
 50

PTDFs for Transfer from WE to TVA

SIGE
BREC

SIPC EKPC

LGE
KU About
EEI
19% 100% of
6% 7% 8%
DOE
CPLW
YADKIN transfer
10%
arrives at
DUKE
TVA
T VA

11% HARTWELL

20%
SEPA-JST But flow
25%
does NOT
SOUTHERN
SCE&G
SCPSA follow
contract
SEPA-RBR path
 51

Contingencies

Contingencies are the unexpected loss of a

significant device, such as a transmission line or a
generator.
No power system can survive a large number of
contingencies.
First contingency refers to loss of any one device.
Contingencies can have major impact on Power
Transfer Distribution Factors (PTDFs).
 52

Available Transfer Capability

Determines the amount of transmission capability

available to transfer power from point A to point
B without causing any overloads in basecase and
first contingencies.
Depends upon assumed system loading,
transmission configuration and existing
transactions.
 53

Reactive Power

Reactive power is supplied by

generators
capacitors
transmission lines
loads
Reactive power is consumed by
loads
transmission lines and transformers (very high losses
 54

Reactive Power

Reactive power doesnt travel well - must be

supplied locally.
Reactive must also satisfy Kirchhoffs law - total
reactive power into a bus MUST be zero.
 55

Reactive Power Example

-152 MW 154 MW
Bus 2 37 MVR -24 MVR Bus 1
104% 104% 1.00 pu
359 MW
179 MVR
1.00 pu
343 MW
-49 MVR
-57 MW 89 MW
150 MW AGC ON
18 MVR -24 MVR 100 MW
234 MVR AVR ON
58 MW -87 MW
-16 MVR 29 MVR Reactive
Note 1.00 pu
Bus 3 power
reactive 179 MW
90 MVR must also
line losses 150 MW AGC ON
sum to
are about 102 MVR AVR ON
zero at
13 Mvar
each bus
 56

Voltage Magnitude

Power systems must supply electric power within

a narrow voltage range, typically with 5% of a
nominal value.
For example, wall outlet should supply
120 volts, with an acceptable range from 114 to
126 volts.
Voltage regulation is a vital part of system
operations.
 57

Reactive Power and Voltage

Reactive power and voltage magnitude are tightly

coupled.
Greater reactive demand decreases the bus
voltage, while reactive generation increases the
bus voltage.
 58

Voltage Regulation

A number of different types of devices participate

in system voltage regulation
generators: reactive power output is automatically
changed to keep terminal voltage within range.
capacitors: switched either manually or automatically
to keep the voltage within a range.
Load-tap-changing (LTC) transformers: vary their off-
nominal tap ratio to keep a voltage within a specified
range.
 59

Five Bus Reactive Power Example

1.00 pu
200 MW
100 MVR
1.000 pu

100 MW
143 MW 12 MVR
5 MVR
61 MW
405 MW AGC ON
-2 MVR 100 MW
96 MVR AVR ON
Voltage
-40 MW
Bus 4 0.982 pu
24 MVR -60 MW magnitude
Bus 3 5 MVR
LTC 100 MW
3 L 0.994 pu is
10 MVR
Transformer Bus 5
0.995 pu 100 MW controlled
100 MW 50 MVR
is 0 MVR 79 MVR by
controlling capacitor
load voltage
 60

Voltage Control

Voltage control is necessary to keep system

voltages within an acceptable range.
Because reactive power does not travel well, it
would be difficult for it to be supplied by a third
party.
It is very difficult to assign reactive power and
voltage control to particular transactions.
 61

Conclusion

Talk has provided brief overview of how power

grid operates.
Educational Version of PowerWorld Simulator,
capable of solving systems with up to 12 buses,
can be downloaded for free at
www.powerworld.com
60,000 bus commercial version is also available.