1

How the Power Grid Behaves

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

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.

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.

Eastern Interconnect Operating Areas

CORNWALL

NSP

NEPOOL

WPS

NYPP
ONT HYDR

DPC
SMP
MGE

DECO

WEP
WPL

CONS

IPW
PENELEC

PP&L

MEC
TE

NI

PSE&G
OE

CEI

NPPD

PJM500

DLCO

CILCO

MPW

NIPS

JCP&L

OPPD

PECO

AEP

LES

METED

IP

IESC

AE
CWLP

DPL

BG&E

IPL

Ovals
represent
operating
areas

AP
CIN

CIPS
STJO
MIDW

MIPU

DPL

PEPCO

HE

KACY

IMPA

OVEC

VP
KACP

WERE

SIGE

EMO

BREC

SIPC

INDN

EKPC
KU
LGE

EEI
ASEC

YADKIN

DOE

CPLW

EMDE
OMPA

GRRD

SPRM
CPLE

DUKE
WEFA

KAMO

SWPA

HARTWELL
SEPA-JST

OKGE
PSOK
SCE&G
SCPSA

SOUTHERN

ENTR

SEPA-RBR

AEC
SWEP

EQ-ERCOT

JEA
LAFA

SMEPA
TAL

CELE

SEC

Arrows
indicate
power flow
in MW
between
areas

Zoomed View of Midwest

WEP
WPL

CONS

TE

NI

CE I

CILCO

NIPS

IP
CWLP

DPL
IPL

CIN

CIPS
HE
IMPA

SIGE

EMO
SIPC

OVEC

BREC

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.

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.

Eastern North American High Voltage

Transmission Grid
HAWTHORN

MASS 765
-210 MVR

BRUJB561

ESSA

BRUJB569
BRUJB562
CLAIRVIL

INDEPNDC
9MI PT1
JA PITZP
OSWEGO

MILTON

TRAFALH2
TRAFALH1

SCRIBA
VOLNEY

-202 MVR
MARCY T1
EDIC

CLAY

BECK B NIAG 345

BECK A
MIDD8086

KINTI345
676
50676
MW
MVR
50 MVR
MW

DEWITT 3

ELBRIDGE

PANNELL3
ROCH 345
146 MVR

LAFAYTTE

REYNLD3
ALPS345

N.SCOT99
250
0
45 MW
MVR
0 MW
MVR
145 MVR

STOLE345

GILB 345
250 MW
0 MW
45 MVR
0 MVR

NANTICOK
LONGWOOD

286 MVR
LEEDS 3

FRASR345
294 MVR
OAKDL345

HURLEY 3

WATERC345

PLTVLLEY
294 MVR
COOPC345

ROSETON

FISHKILL

348 MVR
MW
0 MVR
MW
262
0
ROCK TAV
143 MVR

RAMAPO 5

SUSQHANA

SUNBURY
WESCOVLE
ALBURTIS
HOSENSAK

KEYSTONE

ELROY

JUNIATA

LIMERICK

CONEM-GH

3 MILE I

01YUKON

250 MVR
1093
MW
HUNTERTN

PEACHBTM

KEENEY

1094MVR
MW
250
CNASTONE

BRIGHTON
W CHAPEL
8MT STM

08MDWBRK

8LOUDON
8CLIFTON
8OX
8POSSUM
8MORRSVL

BURCHES
CHALK500
CLVT CLF
273
829
828
293
MVR
MW
MW
MVR

07MEROM5
8VALLEY
8DOOMS

300
9300
MVR
MW
300
99
MVR
MW
MVR
MW
8BATH CO
300
9300
MW
MVR
9320
MW
MVR
9 MVR
MW

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

8LEXNGTN

8MDLTHAN
8CHCKAHM
801 MW
-127
MVR
8SURRY
8CARSON

8ANTIOCH

8SHAWNEE
8MARSHAL

8PERSON 8MAYO 1

05NAGEL
8PHIPP B
8SULLIVA
0 MVR

8MONTGOM

8PARKWOD

8ROANE
8JVILLE

8PL GRDN
0 MVR

8VOLUNTE

8WILSON

8WEAKLEY

8BULL RU

8WAKE

8DAVIDSO

8MAURY

8WBNP 1

8MCGUIRE
1129 MW
0183
MVRMVR

8JACKSON
8FRANKLI
8SNP
8SHELBY

8CUMBERL

8RACCOON

8CORDOVA
340 MVR

8RICHMON

8JOCASSE
8BAD CRK

WM-EHV 8

8OCONEE
0 MVR

8WID CRK
8MADISON 8BNP 1
8BNP 2

8FREEPOR

8LIMESTO

8BFNP
8TRINITY

8UNION

8BOWEN
8BIG SHA
8VILLA R

8W POINT

8BULLSLU
8NORCROS
8KLONDIK

8UNIONCT

8MILLER
8WANSLEY

8LOWNDES

8S. BESS

8SCHERER

MCADAM 8

8HATCH8

8FARLEY

8SEPTA
8YADKIN
8FENTRES

8CLOVER

WHITPAIN

BRANCHBG
DEANS

SMITHBRG

Indian Point
Buchanan
Millwood
Pleasantville
Eastview
Shoreham
Port Jefferson
Wildwood
Riverhead
Dunwoodie Sprain Brook
Northport
Dvnpt.
Elwood
NK
Holbrook Brookhaven
Tremont Hmp. Harbor
Greelawn
Syosset
Pilgrim Holtsville
Shore Rd.
Rainey
Lcst. Bethpage
Grv.
Lake Success
Newbridge
Ruland Rd.
WE49th
E.G.C.
15thSt.
St.Corona
Farragut
Vernon
Jamaica
Cogen
Gowanus
Tech Valley Stream
Barrett
Greenwood
Goethals
Fresh Kills
Fox Hills

Figure shows
transmission
lines at 345
kV or above
in Eastern
U.S.

Zoomed View of Midwest

PAD 345

05BENTON

ZION ; B
ZION ; R

WEMPL; B

19MADRD
1115 MW
-185 MVR

WEMPL; R
LIBER; R
SILVE; R

05COOK

NB159;1M
NB159; B

CHERR; R

600 MW
-41 MVR

PH117; R

CHERR; B

03BAY SH

05KENZIE

53%

GOLF ; R

DP 46; B
DP 46; R

WAYNE; R

BYRON; R
BYRON; B

SK 88; R

GOLF ; B

19MAJTC

03DAV-BE

SK 88; B

05TWIN B

W407K; R
W407M;9T
W407K;9T

05OLIVE

ITASC;1M

05EELKHA

05JACKSR

17HIPLE

03LEMOYN
ELMHU; B

LOMBA; B

CRAWF; B

ELMHU; R

LOMBA; R

TAYLO; B

17MCHCTY

TAYLO; R

CRAWF; R

05DUMONT

?????

ELECT; B

H471 ;

17DUNACR

GARFI; B

ELECT; R

17STLWEL

BEDFO; R
MCCOO; B

NELSO; B

MCCOO; R
LISLE; B

CALUM; B
SLINE; B

SLINE; R
17CHIAVE

BEDFO;RT
BURNH; B

GOODI;3B
GOODI;1R
GOODI;4B
GOODI;2R

B ISL; R

17LKGORG

BURNH;4M

BURNH;0R

05COLNGW
05FOSTOR
G ACR; T

S JOH; T

LOCKP; R

PLANO; R

BLOOM; R

E FRA; B
E FRA; R

JO 29; B
JO 29; R

PLANO;

05S.BTLR

17TWR RD

17MUNSTR

BURNH;1R

LOCKP; B
PLANO; B

17BABCOK

17SHEFLD

LISLE; R

17LESBRG

17GRNACR

17BUROAK

17STJOHN

WILTO;
WILTO;

05ROB PK

05ALLEN
17SCHAHF

DRESD; B
DRESD; R

05SORENS

COLLI; R
COLLI;
DAVIS; B

LASCO; B

05E LIMA

DAVIS; R

LASCO; R

02GALION

08DEEDSV

BRAID; B
05REYNOL

BRAID; R

05SW LIM

05DEQUIN

08WALTON

56%

05GRNTWN
08WESTWD

02TANGY

PONTI;

?????

05HYATT

05MARYSV
TAZEWELL

05DESOTO

POWER; R

05CORRID

POWER; B

09NETAP

09CLINTO
05HAYDEN

DUCK CRK

05ROBERT

BROKA; T

09KILLEN
05BEATTY

08NOBLSV

?????

05FALL C

?????
08WHITST

16GUION

08NUCOR

CLINTON
RISING
SIDNEY
MAROA W

09BATH

BUNSONVL

16SUNNYS

05EUGENE

09GIVENS

08GRNBOR
16ROCKVL

08CAYUGA
MAROA E
08CAY CT

LATHA; T

16THOMPS

16HANNA

OREANA E
16STOUT
08GWYNN
08TDHNTR
09URBANA

?????

08WODSDL

KANSAS

08FOSTER

69%

08DRESSR

KINCA;

08P.UNON

07BLOMNG
08M.FTHS

62%

PAWNEE
NEOGA

PANA

CASEY

08OKLND

200 MW
6 MVR

08TERMNL

08M.FORT

08REDBK1

05TANNER

05BREED

60%

05SULLVA

05MARQUI
500 MW
25 MVR

08REDBK2

06DEARBN

07WORTHN

08SGROVE

62%

08COLMBU
RAMSEY

06PIERCE

?????

07MEROM5

08ZIMER
08EBEND
COFFEN N
COFFEEN

08BUFTN1

?????

NEWTON

?????

08ALENJT

05JEFRSO

08BEDFRD

12GHENT
06CLIFTY

70%

09CARGIL

Arrows
indicate MW
flow on the
lines;
piecharts
show
percentage
loading of
lines

10

Example Three Bus System

Pie charts
show
percentage
loading of
lines

Bus 2

-17 MW
3 MVR

17 MW
-3 MVR

Bus 1
1.00 pu

200 MW
100 MVR

Generator

1.00 pu
100 MW
2 MVR

150 MW
AGC ON
114 MVR AVR ON

-17 MW
5 MVR

-33 MW
10 MVR
33 MW
-10 MVR

100 MW

17 MW
-5 MVR
1.00 pu

Bus 3

100 MW
50 MVR

Bus

150 MW
AGC ON
35 MVR AVR ON

Circuit Breaker

Load

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
Bus 2

-50 MW
11 MVR

50 MW
-9 MVR

Bus 1
1.00 pu

200 MW
100 MVR

1.00 pu
101 MW
6 MVR

150 MW
AGC ON
111 MVR AVR ON

-50 MW
16 MVR

0 MW
0 MVR
0 MW
0 MVR

No flow on
open line

100 MW

50 MW
-14 MVR
1.00 pu

Bus 3

100 MW
50 MVR
150 MW
AGC ON
36 MVR AVR ON

Power Balance must

be satisfied at each bus

19

Indirect Control of Line Flow

Bus 2

16 MW
-3 MVR

-16 MW
3 MVR

Bus 1
1.00 pu

200 MW
100 MVR

1.00 pu
2 MW
30 MVR

150 MW
AGC ON
118 MVR AVR ON

-82 MW
27 MVR

-66 MW
21 MVR
67 MW
-19 MVR

83 MW
-23 MVR
1.00 pu

Bus 3

Generator MW
output changed

100 MW
50 MVR
250 MW
OFF AGC
8 MVR AVR ON

100 MW

Generator change
indirectly changes
line flow

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

Bus 2
359 MW
179 MVR

150 MW
AGC ON
234 MVR AVR ON

-152 MW
37 MVR

154 MW
-24 MVR

104%

104%

1.00 pu

Thermal limit
of 150 MVA

58 MW
-16 MVR

-87 MW
29 MVR
1.00 pu

Bus 3

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

1.00 pu

343 MW
-49 MVR
89 MW
-24 MVR

-57 MW
18 MVR

Bus 1

100 MW

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
area flow
is not
controlled

Bus 2

-29 MW
6 MVR

29 MW
-6 MVR

Bus 1
1.00 pu

214 MW
107 MVR

1.00 pu
121 MW
-3 MVR

150 MW
AGC ON
124 MVR AVR ON

Home Area

-8 MW
2 MVR

-35 MW
11 MVR
35 MW
-10 MVR

8 MW
-2 MVR
1.00 pu

Bus 3

107 MW
53 MVR

Scheduled Transactions
0.0 MW
Off AGC

150 MW
AGC ON
41 MVR AVR ON

100 MW

Area 2

Net tie flow

is NOT zero

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

Bus 2

-12 MW
2 MVR

12 MW
-2 MVR

Bus 1
1.00 pu

255 MW
128 MVR

20.0

1.00 pu
106 MW
-1 MVR

227 MW
OFF AGC -17 MW
5 MVR
135 MVR AVR ON
17 MW
-5 MVR
Home Area

Area Control Error (MW)

10.0

-10.0

Bus 3
-20.0

Scheduled Transactions
0.0 MW
Off AGC

-6 MW
2 MVR

0.0

6 MW
-2 MVR
1.00 pu
12806:30
MW AM
64 MVR

100 MW

Area 2

06:15 AM
Time

150 MW
AGC ON
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

Bus 2

-22 MW
4 MVR

22 MW
-4 MVR

Bus 1
1.00 pu

214 MW
107 MVR

1.00 pu
100 MW
2 MVR

150 MW
AGC ON
124 MVR AVR ON

Home Area

-22 MW
7 MVR

-42 MW
13 MVR
42 MW
-12 MVR

22 MW
-6 MVR
1.00 pu

Bus 3

107 MW
53 MVR

Scheduled Transactions
0.0 MW
ED

171 MW
AGC ON
35 MVR AVR ON

100 MW

Area 2

With AGC on, net

tie flow is zero, but
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

10000

7500
Fuel-cost ($/hr)

Y-axis
tells
cost to
produce
specified
power
(MW) in
$/hr

5000

Current generator
operating point

2500

0
0

150

300
450
Generator Power (MW)

600

33

Example Generator Marginal Cost

Curve
Incremental cost ($/MWH)

Y-axis
tells
marginal
cost to
produce
one more
MWhr in
$/MWhr

20.0

15.0

10.0

Current generator
operating point

5.0

0.0
0

150

300
450
Generator Power (MW)

600

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

Bus 2

-31 MW
6 MVR

31 MW
-6 MVR

Bus 1
1.00 pu

Overloaded
line

340 MW
170 MVR

1.00 pu
1 MW
38 MVR

112%
150 MW
AGC ON
232 MVR AVR ON

Home Area

-130 MW
44 MVR

-159 MW
55 MVR
163 MW
-41 MVR

112%

Bus 3

170 MW
85 MVR

Scheduled Transactions
100.0 MW
ED

133 MW
-35 MVR
1.00 pu

466 MW
AGC ON
9 MVR AVR ON

Scheduled Transaction

100 MW

Area 2

Net tie flow is

now 100 MW from
left to right

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
changed to
remove
overload

Bus 2

-22 MW
4 MVR

22 MW
-4 MVR

Bus 1
1.00 pu

340 MW
170 MVR

1.00 pu
-0 MW
37 MVR

100%
177 MW
OFF AGC -142 MW
49 MVR
223 MVR AVR ON
145 MW
-37 MVR

-122 MW
41 MVR

100%

Home Area

Bus 3

170 MW
85 MVR

Scheduled Transactions
100.0 MW
ED

124 MW
-33 MVR
1.00 pu

439 MW
AGC ON
15 MVR AVR ON

100 MW

Area 2

Net tie flow is

still 100 MW from
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

Area
Top
has 5
buses

-42 MW

1.05 pu
1

79 MW

2
40 MW
20 MVR

1.00 pu

-32 MW

Case Hourly Cost

16933 $/MWH
32 MW

80 MW
30 MVR

4
110 MW
40 MVR

38 MW
-61 MW
1.04 pu

31 MW

0.99 pu

106 MW -37 MW
AGC ON

62 MW

-31 MW

Top Area Cost

5
-39 MW

40 MW

-14 MW
1.01 pu

-77 MW

8029 $/MWH

94 MW
AGC ON

ACE for
each area
is zero

130 MW
40 MVR

168 MW AGC ON
-40 MW

20 MW

-20 MW

40 MW

1.04 pu
6

200 MW

1.04 pu
20 MW

200 MW
Left Area Cost
0 MVR
4189 $/MWH
AGC ON

Area Left has one bus

-20 MW

200 MW
0 MVR

Right Area Cost

4715 $/MWH
201 MW AGC ON

Area Right has one bus

41

Seven Bus Case: Area View

Top

Area Losses
7.09 MW

40.1 MW
0.0 MW

-40.1 MW
0.0 MW

Left
Area Losses
0.33 MW

Right
40.1 MW
0.0 MW

Area Losses
0.65 MW

Actual
flow
between
areas
Scheduled
flow
between
areas

42

Seven Bus Case with 100 MW Transfer

Top

Area Losses
9.45 MW

4.8 MW
0.0 MW

-4.8 MW
0.0 MW

Left
Area Losses
0.00 MW

Right
104.8 MW
100.0 MW

Area Losses
4.34 MW

100 MW Scheduled Transfer from Left to Right

Losses
went up
from
7.09
MW

43

Seven Bus Case One-line

45 MW

Transfer 1.05 pu
1
also
60 MW
overloads
line in Top
40 MW
-60 MW
1.04 pu

-44 MW
3

27 MW

0.99 pu

106 MW -39 MW
AGC ON

36 MW

106 MW

80 MW
30 MVR

4
110 MW
40 MVR

106%
Top Area Cost
8069 $/MWH

1.00 pu

-35 MW

Case Hourly Cost

16654 $/MWH

2
40 MW
20 MVR

-27 MW

-102 MW
5
-4 MW

5 MW

97 MW
AGC ON
-24 MW
1.01 pu
130 MW
40 MVR

167 MW AGC ON
-5 MW

52 MW

-50 MW

1.04 pu
6

300 MW

5 MW
1.04 pu

52 MW
200 MW
Left Area Cost
0 MVR
5943 $/MWH
AGC ON

-50 MW

200 MW
0 MVR

Right Area Cost

2642 $/MWH
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 SameTime 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

CORNWALL

NSP

NEPOOL

WPS

NYPP
ONT HYDR

DPC
SMP
MGE

DECO

WEP
WPL

CONS

IPW
PENELEC

PP&L

MEC

PSE&G

TE

NI

OE
CEI

PJM500

DLCO

CILCO

MPW

NIPS

JCP&L

OPPD

PECO

AEP

METED

IP

IESC

AE
CWLP

DPL

BG&E

IPL
AP
CIN

CIPS
STJO

MIPU

DPL

PEPCO

HE

KACY

IMPA

OVEC

VP
SIGE

KACP

EMO

BREC

SIPC

INDN

EKPC
KU
LGE

EEI
ASEC

YADKIN

DOE

CPLW

EMDE
GRRD

SPRM
CPLE

DUKE

KAMO
SWPA

HARTWELL

SEPA-JST

PSOK
SCE&G
SCPSA

SOUTHERN

ENTR

SEPA-RBR

AEC
SWEP

Arrows
indicate
the
basecase
flow
between
areas

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
CORNWALL

NSP
WPS

19%
NYPP
DPC

10%

SMP

ONT HYDR

55%

54%
MGE

DECO

8%
CONS

22%

7%
MEC

8%

NPPD

55%

PENELEC

39%

16%

8%

CILCO

MPW

PJM500

DLCO

13%

PECO

AEP
METED

IP

IESC

6%

OE

CEI

7%

NIPS

OPPD

LES

PP&L

TE

NI

8%

7%

7%

WEP

10%

WPL
IPW

CWLP

6%

DPL

7%

9%

6%

IPL

BG&E

5%
AP

CIN

CIPS
STJO
MIDW

MIPU

PEPCO

HE

KACY

IMPA

OVEC

9%

11%
8%

WERE

VP
SIGE

KACP

BREC

EMO
INDN

EKPC

SIPC
KU

9%

LGE
EEI

13%

ASEC

19%
6%

7%

YADKIN

DOE

CPLW

10%

EMDE
OMPA

GRRD

8%

SPRM
DUKE

11%

7%

WEFA

KAMO

SWPA

11%
20%

25%

HARTWELL

SEPA-JST

OKGE
PSOK
SCE&G
SCPSA

SOUTHERN

6%
ENTR

SEPA-RBR

CPLE

Piecharts
indicate
percentage
of transfer
that will
flow
between
specified
areas

49

PTDF for Transfer from WE to TVA

NSP
WPS

19%
DPC

10%

54%

SMP

MGE

DECO

8%
10%

WPL
IPW

22%

7%
MEC

7%

8%
MPW

7%

WEP
CONS

55%
TE

NI

8%

8%

CILCO

16%

39%
NIPS

7%

13%

OPPD

IP

IESC
CWLP

7%

9%

CIPS
STJO

MIPU

100% of
transfer
leaves
Wisconsin
Electric
(WE)

55%

DPL

6%

IPL

CIN

50

PTDFs for Transfer from WE to TVA

SIGE

BREC

EKPC

SIPC
KU
LGE
EEI

6%

19%
7%

8%
YADKIN

DOE

CPLW

10%
DUKE

About
100% of
transfer
arrives at
TVA

T VA

11%
20%

25%

HARTWELL

SEPA-JST

SCE&G
SCPSA

SOUTHERN

SEPA-RBR

But flow
does NOT
follow
contract
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

Bus 2
359 MW
179 MVR

-152 MW
37 MVR

154 MW
-24 MVR

104%

104%

Bus 1
1.00 pu

1.00 pu
343 MW
-49 MVR

150 MW
AGC ON
234 MVR AVR ON

Note
reactive
line losses
are about
13 Mvar

89 MW
-24 MVR

-57 MW
18 MVR
58 MW
-16 MVR

-87 MW
29 MVR
1.00 pu

Bus 3

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

100 MW

Reactive
power
must also
sum to
zero at
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 offnominal 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
5 MVR

405 MW
96 MVR

12 MVR
61 MW

AGC ON

-2 MVR

AVR ON

Bus 4

LTC
Transformer
is
controlling
load voltage

100 MW
10 MVR

Bus 5

0.982 pu

-40 MW
24 MVR

Bus 3

3 L

0.994 pu

0.995 pu
100 MW
0 MVR

-60 MW
5 MVR

100 MW
79 MVR

50 MVR

100 MW

Voltage
magnitude
is
controlled
by
capacitor

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.