Post-event Analysis in the ERCOT System Using Synchrophasor Data

This chapter presents experiences in the use of synchronised phasor measurement technology in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) interconnection, USA. It discusses the details of post-event analysis performed based on PMU data. It also presents a case involving a compound event in the ERCOT system involving a fault, which, due to relay mis-operation, induced a loss of generation event. This paper presents the insights gained from studying the synchrophasor data and points out the various indicators that determine the characteristics of the event. The owners (also the operators) of the affected equipment corroborated the conclusions drawn from the post-event analysis. This paper demonstrates a new use case for synchrophasor technology that helps identify and correct possibly incorrect operation of the equipment.