Wide-area, real-time monitoring and visualization system

A method of performing wide area real time monitoring and assessment of dynamic stability of an electric power grid comprising:

• receiving a plurality of data streams, each data stream comprising sub-second, time stamped synchronized phasor measurements wherein the measurements in each stream are collected at geographically distinct points over a wide area of the grid comprising at least two distinct entities selected from the group consisting of transmission companies, utility companies, and regional reliability coordinators;
• monitoring dynamic stability metrics including phase angles, damping, oscillation modes, and sensitivities over the wide area of the electric power grid;
• deriving in real-time from the plurality of data streams one or more stability metrics for dynamics monitoring using phasor measurements which are indicative of grid stress and/or instability;
• updating the monitored metrics in real time;
• concurrently displaying in graphical form at least two different categories of data concerning the metrics, wherein the categories are selected from a group consisting of monitoring data, tracking data, historical data, prediction data, and summary data;
• updating the displayed data in real time;
• analyzing the displayed data;
• providing summary information concerning real time performance of the electric power grid;
• and
• storing the data in real time for replay and review to perform power grid system performance assessment, event diagnostics, root cause analysis of events and situational assessment of dynamic stability of the electric power grid in real time.

A wide area real-time dynamics monitoring system for assessing dynamic stability of an electric power grid, the system comprising:

• a monitor computer for receiving a plurality of data streams, each data stream comprising sub-second, time stamped synchronized phasor measurements wherein the measurements in each stream are collected at geographically distinct points over a wide area of the grid, the plurality of data streams being received by the monitor computer from third party utilities or transmission companies that provide the data, wherein the wide area comprises at least two distinct entities selected from the group consisting of transmission companies, utilities, and regional reliability coordinators,
• wherein the monitor computer derives in real-time from the plurality of data streams from the at least two distinct entities one or more dynamic stability metrics including phase angles, damping, oscillation modes, and sensitivities for dynamics monitoring using phasor measurements in which the stability metrics are indicative of grid stress and instability, over the wide area, and
• wherein the derived metrics include at least one of reactive reserve margin, power transfer angle, voltage/volt-ampere reactive (VAR), frequency response, sensitivities and/or combinations thereof;
• a database to store the measurements and derived metrics;
• and
• a display operatively coupled to the monitor computer and database for visualization of information relating to the plurality of the measurements and derived metrics relevant to the assessment of the real-time dynamic stability of wide area and local area portions of the grid.