Monitoring of low voltage facilities using synchronized phasor measurements

Modern power systems are facing increase of overall energy consumption and aging of the main infrastructure. On the other hand, integration of intermittent renewable energy sources and development of the energy market are introducing uncertainties and strains to the power system operation, which is closer to stability limits. As a consequence, large power system blackouts occur. Synchronized phasor measurements have already been recognized as one of key technologies for developing Smart Grid applications. In recent years power utilities all over the world focused their attention to deployment of Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) and development of Wide Area Monitoring, Protection and Control (WAMPAC) systems, which operate in real-time. This paper describes the student project of establishing a laboratory model of the Wide Area Monitoring System (WAMS) at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka. The developed model will be used for testing of various applications based on the synchronized phasor measurements, developed as a part of student projects and final thesis. Lessons learned from the low voltage laboratory model will be used to simulate larger scale power systems, which will be used for educational purpose of future generations of students.