Review of approaches for using synchrophasor data for real-time wide-area control

Due to the changing nature of power systems—with reduced electrical inertia and the prevalence of smaller controllable power resources rather than large generators—new control approaches are required to mitigate disturbances. Ubiquitous measurements and communications networks can beleveraged to accelerate and provide a targeted, real-time response in such future systems. However, autonomous control of power systems requires dependable measurements. This paper provides a review of state of the art approaches to real-time power system control using synchrophasor measurements. In particular, examples are given involving recent developments in frequency regulation. Through a case study, it is shown how laboratories can be linked using Software-Defined Networking technologies to conveniently share resources in order to realistically and comprehensively validate synchrophasor-based control systems.