Watching the Grid
Abstract
In August 2003, a major blackout shut power to a significant portion of the eastern United States and Canada. In the aftermath of that blackout, a joint commission from the US and Canada made several recommendations to improve the reliability of the power grid. These recommendation included establishing an independent source of reliability information, increasing research into reliability related tools and technologies, and the use of time synchronized data recorders. Research was conducted towards each of the these recommendations. An independent, inexpensive means of obtaining power grid data was developed using simple data acquisition units connected to wall outlets with the data being returned through the Internet. Various methods of time synchronization were explored, including NTP and wwvb. In addition, a computer model was developed to assist in the interpretation of the data and provide a means of exploring grid stability under various conditions. An evaluation of the simulation results and an analysis of the collected data is presented. The results include a summary of the normal conditions on the power grid and and examination of the results of certain abnormal occurrences. The results lead to an increased understanding of the operation of the power grid. When these results are taken in the context of the current social, economic, and political environments in which the power grid operates, they make progress toward the mitigation of the impacts of blackouts.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Bell, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Electrical engineering
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.