The Virginia Tech Calibration System

Abstract

Phasor measurement unit (PMU) applications on power grid monitoring systems have been implemented since the early ninety's. Large monitoring system network performance relies on the consistent measurements of PMUs across the system. This has become a major challenge for designers since large networks use PMUs from various manufacturers who likely implement different synchrophasor technologies to perform the phasor estimations. The current synchrophasor standard, the IEEE C37.118-2005 Synchrophasor Standard, covers adequately the steady-state characterization of PMUs but does not specify transient condition requirements. The North American Synchrophasor Initiative (NASPI) has developed a guide outlining the several tests required for dynamic characterization of PMUs. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed two PMU testing stands for steady-state conformance with the current standard and for dynamic performance testing. Since May 2010, Virginia Tech has been working closely with the NIST in developing a PMU testing system similar to the NIST designs for commercial testing of PMUs and research purposes, the Virginia Tech Calibration System. This thesis focuses on assessing the system accuracy differences between the designs, and the software interface modifications to adapt the new hardware.