1

How the Power Grid Behaves

Tom Overbye
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


2
Presentation Overview
Goal is to demonstrate operation of large scale
power grid.
Emphasis on the impact of the transmission syste.
Introduce basic power flow concepts through
small system examples.
Finish with simulation of Eastern U.S. System.

3
PowerWorld Simulator
PowerWorld Simulator is an interactive,
Windows based simulation program, originally
designed at University of Illinois for teaching
basics of power system operations to non-power
engineers.
PowerWorld Simulator can now study systems of
just about any size.
4
Eastern Interconnect Operating Areas
SOUTHERN
AEP
CPLW
AP
JCP&L
PECO
AE
PSE&G
AEC
SMEPA
CEI
CIN
CIPS
CONS
DECO
CPLE
DLCO
DPL
DUKE
EKPC
IMPA
IP
IPL
KU
NI
NIPS
OE
OVEC
TE
VP
METED
PENELEC
PEPCO
PJM500
BG&E
PP&L
BREC
LGE
SIGE
SIPC
CILCO
CWLP
HE
EEI
EMO
CORNWALL
NYPP
SCE&G
SCPSA
ONT HYDR
DOE
DPL
ENTR
NEPOOL
WPL
WEP
WPS
MGE
YADKIN
HARTWELL
SEPA-JST
SEPA-RBR
TAL
JEA
SEC
CELE
LAFA
SWEP
SWPA
PSOK
GRRD
OKGE
KAMO
WEFA
OMPA
EQ-ERCOT
WERE
NSP
IPW
DPC
MEC
IESC
MPW
NPPD OPPD
SMP
LES
MIPU
STJO
KACY
KACP
ASEC
SPRM
INDN
EMDE
MIDW
Ovals
represent
operating
areas
Arrows
indicate
power flow
in MW
between
areas
5
Zoomed View of Midwest
CEI
CIN
CIPS
CONS
DPL
IMPA
IP
IPL
NI
NIPS
OVEC
TE
BREC
SIGE
SIPC
CILCO
CWLP
HE
EMO
WPL
WEP
6
Power System Basics
All power systems have three major components:
Generation, Load and Transmission.
Generation: Creates electric power.
Load: Consumes electric power.
Transmission: Transmits electric power from
generation to load.
7
One-line Diagram
Most power systems are balanced three phase
systems.
A balanced three phase system can be modeled as
a single (or one) line.
One-lines show the major power system
components, such as generators, loads,
transmission lines.
Components join together at a bus.
8
Eastern North American High Voltage
Transmission Grid
828 MW 293 MVR 273 MVR 829 MW
250 MVR 1093 MW
1094 MW 250 MVR
9 MVR 300 MW9 MVR 300 MW 9 MVR 300 MW
300 MW 9 MVR 300 MW 9 MVR 320 MW 9 MVR
-114 MVR 893 MW
897 MW -110 MVR
-127 MVR 801 MW
0 MVR
0 MVR 1129 MW 183 MVR
0 MVR
0 MVR
340 MVR
143 MVR
294 MVR
348 MW 262 MVR 0 MW 0 MVR
286 MVR
145 MVR
250 MW 45 MVR 0 MW 0 MVR
45 MVR 250 MW0 MVR 0 MW
294 MVR
-202 MVR
-210 MVR
146 MVR
676 MW 50 MVR 676 MW 50 MVR
Riverhead Wildwood Shoreham
Brookhaven
Port Jefferson
Holbrook Holtsville
Northport
Pilgrim Syosset Bethpage Ruland Rd. Newbridge Lcst. Grv.
07MEROM5
KEYSTONE
01YUKON
CONEM-GH
JUNIATA
SUNBURY
SUSQHANA
WESCOVLE
ALBURTIS HOSENSAK
BRANCHBG
ELROY
WHITPAIN LIMERICK
DEANS SMITHBRG
3 MILE I
RAMAPO 5
HUNTERTN
CNASTONE
PEACHBTM KEENEY
BRIGHTON
W CHAPEL
CLVT CLF CHALK500
BURCHES
8POSSUM
8OX 8CLIFTON 8LOUDON 08MDWBRK
8MORRSVL
8MT STM
8VALLEY
8DOOMS
8BATH CO
8LEXNGTN
8NO ANNA 8LDYSMTH
8ELMONT
8MDLTHAN
8CHCKAHM
8CARSON 8SEPTA
8YADKIN8FENTRES
8SURRY
8PERSON 8MAYO 1
8PARKWOD
8WAKE
8PL GRDN
8CUMBERL
8RICHMON
8MCGUIRE
8JOCASSE
8BAD CRK
8OCONEE
8NORCROS 8BULLSLU 8BIG SHA
8BOWEN
8KLONDIK
8UNIONCT
8VILLA R
8WANSLEY
8SNP
8WBNP 1
8ROANE 8BULL RU
8VOLUNTE
8SULLIVA
8PHIPP B
05NAGEL
8WILSON
8MONTGOM
8DAVIDSO
8MARSHAL
8SHAWNEE
8JVILLE
8WEAKLEY
8JACKSON
8SHELBY
8CORDOVA
8FREEPOR
WM-EHV 8
8UNION
8TRINITY
8BFNP 8LIMESTO 8BNP 2 8MADISON 8BNP 1
8WID CRK
8RACCOON
8FRANKLI
8MAURY
8MILLER
8LOWNDES
8W POINT
MCADAM 8
8S. BESS
8FARLEY
8SCHERER
8HATCH8
8ANTIOCH
8CLOVER
ROCK TAV
COOPC345 ROSETON FISHKILL
PLTVLLEY
HURLEY 3
LEEDS 3
GILB 345
FRASR345
N.SCOT99 ALPS345
REYNLD3
EDIC
MARCY T1
MASS 765
OAKDL345
WATERC345
STOLE345
LAFAYTTE
DEWITT 3 ELBRIDGE
CLAY
VOLNEY SCRIBA
JA PITZP 9MI PT1 INDEPNDC
OSWEGO
PANNELL3 ROCH 345
KINTI345
NIAG 345 BECK A
BECK B
NANTICOK
MIDD8086
MILTON
TRAFALH1 TRAFALH2
CLAIRVIL
HAWTHORN
ESSA BRUJB561
BRUJB569
BRUJB562
LONGWOOD
Barrett
E.G.C.
Valley Stream
Lake Success Rainey
Jamaica
Greenwood
Fox Hills Fresh Kills Goethals Cogen Tech Gowanus Farragut E 15th St. W 49th St.
Tremont Shore Rd.
Dunwoodie Sprain Brook
Eastview Pleasantville
Millwood
Buchanan Indian Point
Dvnpt. NK Hmp. Harbor
Vernon Corona
Greelawn Elwood
Figure shows
transmission
lines at 345
kV or above
in Eastern
U.S.
9
Zoomed View of Midwest
1115 MW -185 MVR
600 MW
-41 MVR
200 MW 6 MVR
500 MW 25 MVR
05COOK
05GRNTWN
05JEFRSO
05ALLEN
03LEMOYN
05BEATTY
05BENTON
07BLOMNG
05BREED
17BUROAK
05CORRID
03DAV-BE
06DEARBN
05DEQUIN
05DESOTO
05DUMONT
05E LIMA
05EELKHA
19MADRD
05EUGENE
05FALL C
05FOSTOR
16GUION
16HANNA
05HAYDEN
17HIPLE
05HYATT
05JACKSR
05MARQUI
05MARYSV
05OLIVE
06PIERCE
05REYNOL
05ROB PK
05ROBERT
16ROCKVL
05SORENS
17STLWEL
16STOUT
16SUNNYS
05SW LIM
05TANNER
16THOMPS
05TWIN B
07WORTHN
60%
69%
07MEROM5
05KENZIE
70%
SLINE; B SLINE; R
17SHEFLD
17SCHAHF
17DUNACR
17MCHCTY
17BABCOK
17TWR RD
17CHIAVE
BURNH; B
BURNH;0R
17LKGORG
17MUNSTR
G ACR; T
17GRNACR S JOH; T
17STJOHN
DAVIS; B
DAVIS; R
BRAID; B
BRAID; R
LASCO; B
LASCO; R
PLANO; B
PLANO; R
ELECT; B
ELECT; R
ZION ; B
ZION ; R
SILVE; R
LIBER; R
DRESD; B
DRESD; R
LOCKP; B
LOCKP; R
GOODI;3B
GOODI;2R GOODI;4B
GOODI;1R
B ISL; R
NELSO; B
H471 ;
TAZEWELL
POWER; B
POWER; R
DUCK CRK
PONTI;
BROKA; T
LATHA; T
KINCA;
08CAYUGA
08CAY CT
BUNSONVL
SIDNEY
CASEY
KANSAS
08DRESSR
62%
08WHITST
08NUCOR
?????
?????
08BEDFRD
08ALENJT
08COLMBU
08GWYNN
08OKLND
08GRNBOR
08NOBLSV ?????
08WESTWD
17LESBRG
08WALTON
08DEEDSV
05COLNGW
05S.BTLR
56%
05SULLVA
12GHENT
06CLIFTY
08BUFTN1
08EBEND
08M.FTHS
08M.FORT 08REDBK1
08REDBK2
08TERMNL
08SGROVE
08P.UNON
08WODSDL
08TDHNTR
08FOSTER
?????
09CLINTO 09NETAP
09KILLEN
09BATH
?????
09GIVENS
08ZIMER
????? 09CARGIL
09URBANA ?????
62%
02TANGY
19MAJTC
03BAY SH
02GALION
COFFEEN
PAWNEE
COFFEN N
PANA
RAMSEY
NEOGA
NEWTON
CLINTON
MAROA W MAROA E
OREANA E
RISING
PLANO;
COLLI;
WILTO;
PAD 345
WEMPL; R
WEMPL; B
BYRON; B
BYRON; R
CHERR; B
CHERR; R
53%
WAYNE; R
?????
W407M;9T
W407K;9T
W407K; R
LOMBA; B
LOMBA; R
ELMHU; B
ELMHU; R
ITASC;1M
DP 46; B
DP 46; R
PH117; R
NB159;1M
NB159; B
SK 88; R
SK 88; B
GOLF ; R
GOLF ; B
LISLE; B
LISLE; R
JO 29; B
JO 29; R
MCCOO; B
MCCOO; R
COLLI; R
WILTO;
E FRA; B
E FRA; R
BLOOM; R
TAYLO; B
TAYLO; R CRAWF; B
CRAWF; R
BEDFO; R
BEDFO;RT
GARFI; B
CALUM; B
BURNH;4M
BURNH;1R
Arrows
indicate MW
flow on the
lines;
piecharts
show
percentage
loading of
lines
10
Example Three Bus System
Bus 2 Bus 1
Bus 3
200 MW
100 MVR
150 MW MW
150 MW MW
35 MVR MVR
114 MVR MVR
100 MW
50 MVR
1.00 pu
-17 MW
3 MVR
17 MW
-3 MVR
-33 MW
10 MVR
33 MW
-10 MVR
17 MW
-5 MVR
-17 MW
5 MVR
1.00 pu
1.00 pu
100 MW
2 MVR
100 MW
AGC ON
AVR ON
AGC ON
AVR ON
Generator
Load
Bus
Circuit Breaker
Pie charts
show
percentage
loading of
lines
11
Generation
Large plants predominate, with sizes up to about
1500 MW.
Coal is most common source, followed by hydro,
nuclear and gas.
Gas is now most economical.
Generated at about 20 kV.
12
Loads
Can range in size from less than a single watt to
10s of MW.
Loads are usually aggregated.
The aggregate load changes with time, with
strong daily, weekly and seasonal cycles.
13
Transmission
Goal is to move electric power from generation to
load with as low of losses and cost as possible.
P = V I or P/V = I
Losses are I
2
R
Less losses at higher voltages, but more costly to
construct and insulate.

14
Transmission and Distribution
Typical high voltage transmission voltages are
500, 345, 230, 161, 138 and 69 kV.
Transmission tends to be a grid system, so each
bus is supplied from two or more directions.
Lower voltage lines are used for distribution, with
a typical voltage of 12.4 kV.
Distribution systems tend to be radial.
Transformers are used to change the voltage.
15
Other One-line Objects
Circuit Breakers - Used to open/close devices; red
is closed, green is open.
Pie Charts - Show percentage loading of
transmission lines.
Up/down arrows - Used to control devices.
Values - Show current values for different
quantities.
16
Power Balance Constraints
Power flow refers to how the power is moving
through the system.
At all times the total power flowing into any bus
MUST be zero!
This is know as Kirchhoffs law. And it can not
be repealed or modified.
Power is lost in the transmission system.
17
Basic Power Control
Opening a circuit breaker causes the power flow
to instantaneously(nearly) change.
No other way to directly control power flow in a
transmission line.
By changing generation we can indirectly change
this flow.

18
Flow Redistribution Following Opening
Line Circuit Breaker
Bus 2 Bus 1
Bus 3
200 MW
100 MVR
150 MW MW
150 MW MW
36 MVR MVR
111 MVR MVR
100 MW
50 MVR
1.00 pu
-50 MW
11 MVR
50 MW
-9 MVR
0 MW
0 MVR
0 MW
0 MVR
50 MW
-14 MVR
-50 MW
16 MVR
1.00 pu
1.00 pu
101 MW
6 MVR
100 MW
AGC ON
AVR ON
AGC ON
AVR ON
Power Balance must
be satisfied at each bus
No flow on
open line
19
Indirect Control of Line Flow
Bus 2 Bus 1
Bus 3
200 MW
100 MVR
150 MW MW
250 MW MW
8 MVR MVR
118 MVR MVR
100 MW
50 MVR
1.00 pu
16 MW
-3 MVR
-16 MW
3 MVR
-66 MW
21 MVR
67 MW
-19 MVR
83 MW
-23 MVR
-82 MW
27 MVR
1.00 pu
1.00 pu
2 MW
30 MVR
100 MW
AGC ON
AVR ON
OFF AGC
AVR ON
Generator MW
output changed
Generator change
indirectly changes
line flow
20
Transmission Line Limits
Power flow in transmission line is limited by a
number of considerations.
Losses (I
2
R) can heat up the line, causing it to
sag. This gives line an upper thermal limit.
Thermal limits depend upon ambient conditions.
Many utilities use winter/summer limits.
21
Overloaded Transmission Line
Bus 2 Bus 1
Bus 3
359 MW
179 MVR
150 MW MW
150 MW MW
102 MVR MVR
234 MVR MVR
179 MW
90 MVR
1.00 pu
-152 MW
37 MVR
154 MW
-24 MVR
-57 MW
18 MVR
58 MW
-16 MVR
-87 MW
29 MVR
89 MW
-24 MVR
1.00 pu
1.00 pu
343 MW
-49 MVR
104% 104%
100 MW
AGC ON
AVR ON
AGC ON
AVR ON
Thermal limit
of 150 MVA
22
Interconnected Operation
Power systems are interconnected across large
distances. For example most of North American
east of the Rockies is one system, with most of
Texas and Quebec being major exceptions
Individual utilities only own and operate a small
portion of the system, which is referred to an
operating area (or an area).
23
Operating Areas
Areas constitute a structure imposed on grid.
Transmission lines that join two areas are known
as tie-lines.
The net power out of an area is the sum of the
flow on its tie-lines.
The flow out of an area is equal to

total gen - total load - total losses = tie-flow
24
Three Bus System Split into Two Areas
Bus 2 Bus 1
Bus 3
Home Area
Area 2
Scheduled Transactions
214 MW
107 MVR
150 MW MW
150 MW MW
41 MVR MVR
124 MVR MVR
107 MW
53 MVR
1.00 pu
-29 MW
6 MVR
29 MW
-6 MVR
-35 MW
11 MVR
35 MW
-10 MVR
8 MW
-2 MVR
-8 MW
2 MVR
1.00 pu
1.00 pu
121 MW
-3 MVR
100 MW
AGC ON
AVR ON
AGC ON
AVR ON
0.0 MW MW
Off AGC
Net tie flow
is NOT zero
Initially
area flow
is not
controlled
25
Area Control Error (ACE)
The area control error mostly the difference
between the actual flow out of area, and
scheduled flow.
ACE also includes a frequency component.
Ideally the ACE should always be zero.
Because the load is constantly changing, each
utility must constantly change its generation to
chase the ACE.
26
Home Area ACE
Bus 2 Bus 1
Bus 3
Home Area
Area 2
Scheduled Transactions
255 MW
128 MVR
227 MW MW
150 MW MW
57 MVR MVR
135 MVR MVR
128 MW
64 MVR
1.00 pu
-12 MW
2 MVR
12 MW
-2 MVR
-17 MW
5 MVR
17 MW
-5 MVR
6 MW
-2 MVR
-6 MW
2 MVR
1.00 pu
1.00 pu
106 MW
-1 MVR
100 MW
OFF AGC
AVR ON
AGC ON
AVR ON
0.0 MW MW
Off AGC
06:30 AM 06:15 AM
Time
-20.0
-10.0
0.0
10.0
20.0
A
r
e
a

C
o
n
t
r
o
l

E
r
r
o
r

(
M
W
)

ACE changes with time
27
Inadvertent Interchange
ACE can never be held exactly at zero.
Integrating the ACE gives the inadvertent
interchange, expressed in MWh.
Utilities keep track of this value. If it gets
sufficiently negative they will pay back the
accumulated energy.
In extreme cases inadvertent energy is purchased
at a negotiated price.
28
Automatic Generation Control
Most utilities use automatic generation control
(AGC) to automatically change their generation to
keep their ACE close to zero.
Usually the utility control center calculates ACE
based upon tie-line flows; then the AGC module
sends control signals out to the generators every
couple seconds.
29
Three Bus Case on AGC
Bus 2 Bus 1
Bus 3
Home Area
Area 2
Scheduled Transactions
214 MW
107 MVR
150 MW MW
171 MW MW
35 MVR MVR
124 MVR MVR
107 MW
53 MVR
1.00 pu
-22 MW
4 MVR
22 MW
-4 MVR
-42 MW
13 MVR
42 MW
-12 MVR
22 MW
-6 MVR
-22 MW
7 MVR
1.00 pu
1.00 pu
100 MW
2 MVR
100 MW
AGC ON
AVR ON
AGC ON
AVR ON
0.0 MW MW
ED
With AGC on, net
tie flow is zero, but
individual line flows
are not zero
30
Generator Costs
There are many fixed and variable costs
associated with power system operation.
Generation is major variable cost.
For some types of units (such as hydro and
nuclear) it is difficult to quantify.
For thermal units it is much easier. There are four
major curves, each expressing a quantity as a
function of the MW output of the unit.
31
Generator Cost Curves
Input-output (IO) curve: Shows relationship
between MW output and energy input in Mbtu/hr.
Fuel-cost curve: Input-output curve scaled by a
fuel cost expressed in $ / Mbtu.
Heat-rate curve: shows relationship between MW
output and energy input (Mbtu / MWhr).
Incremental (marginal) cost curve shows the cost
to produce the next MWhr.

32
Example Generator Fuel-Cost Curve
0 150 300 450 600
Generator Power (MW)
0
2500
5000
7500
10000
F
u
e
l
-
c
o
s
t

(
$
/
h
r
)

Current generator
operating point
Y-axis
tells
cost to
produce
specified
power
(MW) in
$/hr
33
Example Generator Marginal Cost
Curve
0 150 300 450 600
Generator Power (MW)
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
I
n
c
r
e
m
e
n
t
a
l

c
o
s
t

(
$
/
M
W
H
)

Current generator
operating point
Y-axis
tells
marginal
cost to
produce
one more
MWhr in
$/MWhr
34
Economic Dispatch
Economic dispatch (ED) determines the least cost
dispatch of generation for an area.
For a lossless system, the ED occurs when all the
generators have equal marginal costs.

IC
1
(P
G,1
) = IC
2
(P
G,2
) = = IC
m
(P
G,m
)
35
Power Transactions
Power transactions are contracts between areas to
do power transactions.
Contracts can be for any amount of time at any
price for any amount of power.
Scheduled power transactions are implemented by
modifying the area ACE:

ACE = P
actual,tie-flow
- P
sched

36
Implementation of 100 MW Transaction
Bus 2 Bus 1
Bus 3
Home Area
Area 2
Scheduled Transactions
340 MW
170 MVR
150 MW MW
466 MW MW
9 MVR MVR
232 MVR MVR
170 MW
85 MVR
1.00 pu
-31 MW
6 MVR
31 MW
-6 MVR
-159 MW
55 MVR
163 MW
-41 MVR
133 MW
-35 MVR
-130 MW
44 MVR
1.00 pu
1.00 pu
1 MW
38 MVR 112%
112%
100 MW
AGC ON
AVR ON
AGC ON
AVR ON
100.0 MW MW
ED
Net tie flow is
now 100 MW from
left to right
Scheduled Transaction
Overloaded
line
37
Security Constrained ED
Transmission constraints often limit system
economics.
Such limits required a constrained dispatch in
order to maintain system security.
In three bus case the generation at bus 3 must be
constrained to avoid overloading the line from bus
2 to bus 3.
38
Security Constrained Dispatch
Bus 2 Bus 1
Bus 3
Home Area
Area 2
Scheduled Transactions
340 MW
170 MVR
177 MW MW
439 MW MW
15 MVR MVR
223 MVR MVR
170 MW
85 MVR
1.00 pu
-22 MW
4 MVR
22 MW
-4 MVR
-142 MW
49 MVR
145 MW
-37 MVR
124 MW
-33 MVR
-122 MW
41 MVR
1.00 pu
1.00 pu
-0 MW
37 MVR 100%
100%
100 MW
OFF AGC
AVR ON
AGC ON
AVR ON
100.0 MW MW
ED
Net tie flow is
still 100 MW from
left to right
Gens 2 &3
changed to
remove
overload
39
Multi-Area Operation
The electrons are not concerned with area
boundaries. Actual power flows through the
entire network according to impedance of the
transmission lines.
If Areas have direct interconnections, then they
can directly transact up their tie-line capacity.
Flow through other areas is known as parallel
path or loop flows.
40
Seven Bus, Thee Area Case One-line
Top Area Cost
Left Area Cost Right Area Cost
1
2
3 4
5
6 7
106 MW MW
168 MW MW
200 MW MW
201 MW MW
110 MW
40 MVR
80 MW
30 MVR
130 MW
40 MVR
40 MW
20 MVR
1.00 pu
1.01 pu
1.04 pu 1.04 pu
1.04 pu
0.99 pu 1.05 pu
62 MW
-61 MW
44 MW -42 MW -31 MW 31 MW
38 MW
-37 MW
79 MW -77 MW
-32 MW
32 MW
-14 MW
-39 MW
40 MW
-20 MW 20 MW
40 MW
-40 MW
94 MW MW
200 MW
0 MVR
200 MW
0 MVR
20 MW
-20 MW
AGC ON
AGC ON
AGC ON
AGC ON
AGC ON
8029 $/MWH
4715 $/MWH 4189 $/MWH
Case Hourly Cost
16933 $/MWH
Area
Top
has 5
buses
Area Left has one bus
Area Right has one bus
ACE for
each area
is zero
41
Seven Bus Case: Area View
Area Losses
Area Losses Area Losses
Top
Left Right
-40.1 MW
0.0 MW MW
0.0 MW MW
0.0 MW MW
40.1 MW
40.1 MW
7.09 MW
0.33 MW 0.65 MW
Actual
flow
between
areas
Scheduled
flow
between
areas
42
Seven Bus Case with 100 MW Transfer
Area Losses
Area Losses Area Losses
Top
Left Right
-4.8 MW
0.0 MW MW
100.0 MW MW
0.0 MW MW
104.8 MW
4.8 MW
9.45 MW
0.00 MW 4.34 MW
Losses
went up
from
7.09
MW
100 MW Scheduled Transfer from Left to Right
43
Seven Bus Case One-line
Top Area Cost
Left Area Cost Right Area Cost
1
2
3 4
5
6 7
106 MW MW
167 MW MW
300 MW MW
104 MW MW
110 MW
40 MVR
80 MW
30 MVR
130 MW
40 MVR
40 MW
20 MVR
1.00 pu
1.01 pu
1.04 pu 1.04 pu
1.04 pu
0.99 pu 1.05 pu
106%
60 MW
-60 MW
45 MW -44 MW -27 MW 27 MW
40 MW
-39 MW
106 MW -102 MW
-35 MW
36 MW
-24 MW
-4 MW
5 MW
-50 MW 52 MW
5 MW
-5 MW
97 MW MW
200 MW
0 MVR
200 MW
0 MVR
52 MW
-50 MW
AGC ON
AGC ON
AGC ON
AGC ON
AGC ON
8069 $/MWH
2642 $/MWH 5943 $/MWH
Case Hourly Cost
16654 $/MWH
Transfer
also
overloads
line in Top
44
Transmission Service
FERC Order No. 888 requires utilities provide
non-discriminatory open transmission access
through tariffs of general applicability.
FERC Order No. 889 requires transmission
providers set up OASIS (Open Access Same-
Time Information System) to show available
transmission.
45
Transmission Service
If areas (or pools) are not directly interconnected,
they must first obtain a contiguous contract
path.
This is NOT a physical requirement.
Utilities on the contract path are compensated for
wheeling the power.

46
Eastern Interconnect Example
SOUTHERN
AEP
CPLW
AP
JCP&L
PECO
AE
PSE&G
AEC
CEI
CIN
CIPS
CONS
DECO
CPLE
DLCO
DPL
DUKE
EKPC
IMPA
IP
IPL
KU
NI
NIPS
OE
OVEC
TE
VP
METED
PENELEC
PEPCO
PJM500
BG&E
PP&L
BREC
LGE
SIGE
SIPC
CILCO
CWLP
HE
EEI
EMO
CORNWALL
NYPP
SCE&G
SCPSA
ONT HYDR
DOE
DPL
ENTR
NEPOOL
WPL
WEP
WPS
MGE
YADKIN
HARTWELL
SEPA-JST
SEPA-RBR
SWEP
SWPA
PSOK
GRRD
KAMO
NSP
IPW
DPC
MEC
IESC
MPW
OPPD
SMP
MIPU
STJO
KACY
KACP
ASEC
SPRM
INDN
EMDE
Arrows
indicate
the
basecase
flow
between
areas
47
Power Transfer Distribution Factors
(PTDFs)
PTDFs are used to show how a particular
transaction will affect the system.
Power transfers through the system according to
the impedances of the lines, without respect to
ownership.
All transmission players in network could be
impacted, to a greater or lesser extent.
48
PTDFs for Transfer from Wisconsin
Electric to TVA
SOUTHERN
20%
AEP
CPLW
AP
PECO
CEI
CIN
CIPS
CONS
DECO
CPLE
DLCO
DPL
DUKE
EKPC
IMPA
IP
IPL
KU
NI
NIPS
OE
OVEC
TE
VP
METED
PENELEC
PEPCO
PJM500
BG&E
PP&L
BREC
LGE
SIGE
SIPC
CILCO
CWLP
HE
EEI
EMO
CORNWALL
NYPP
SCE&G
SCPSA
ONT HYDR
DOE
ENTR
25%
7%
10%
6% 7% 8%
9%
9%
8%
7%
16%
39%
6%
19%
5%
6%
13%
WPL
WEP
WPS
MGE
7%
7%
11%
55%
22%
10%
55%
54%
YADKIN
HARTWELL
SEPA-JST
SEPA-RBR
SWPA
PSOK
GRRD
OKGE
KAMO
6%
WEFA
OMPA
WERE
NSP
19%
IPW
DPC
8%
10%
MEC
IESC
MPW
9%
8%
7%
8%
NPPD
OPPD
7%
SMP
LES
MIPU
STJO
6%
KACY
KACP
11%
8%
ASEC 13%
11%
SPRM
INDN
EMDE
MIDW
Piecharts
indicate
percentage
of transfer
that will
flow
between
specified
areas
49
PTDF for Transfer from WE to TVA
CI N
CIPS
CONS
DECO
DPL
IP
IPL
NI
NIPS
TE
CILCO
CWLP
8%
7%
16%
39%
6%
13%
WPL
WEP
WPS
MGE
7%
7%
55%
22%
10%
55%
54%
NSP
19%
IPW
DPC
8%
10%
MEC
IESC
MPW
9%
8%
7%
8%
OPPD
7%
SMP
MIPU
STJO
100% of
transfer
leaves
Wisconsin
Electric
(WE)
50
PTDFs for Transfer from WE to TVA
TVA
SOUTHERN
20%
CPLW
DUKE
EKPC
KU
BREC
LGE
SIGE
SIPC
EEI
SCE&G
SCPSA
DOE
25%
10%
6% 7%
8%
19%
11%
YADKIN
HARTWELL
SEPA-JST
SEPA-RBR
About
100% of
transfer
arrives at
TVA
But flow
does NOT
follow
contract
path
51
Contingencies
Contingencies are the unexpected loss of a
significant device, such as a transmission line or a
generator.
No power system can survive a large number of
contingencies.
First contingency refers to loss of any one device.
Contingencies can have major impact on Power
Transfer Distribution Factors (PTDFs).
52
Available Transfer Capability
Determines the amount of transmission capability
available to transfer power from point A to point
B without causing any overloads in basecase and
first contingencies.
Depends upon assumed system loading,
transmission configuration and existing
transactions.

53
Reactive Power
Reactive power is supplied by
generators
capacitors
transmission lines
loads
Reactive power is consumed by
loads
transmission lines and transformers (very high losses

54
Reactive Power
Reactive power doesnt travel well - must be
supplied locally.
Reactive must also satisfy Kirchhoffs law - total
reactive power into a bus MUST be zero.
55
Reactive Power Example
Bus 2 Bus 1
Bus 3
359 MW
179 MVR
150 MW MW
150 MW MW
102 MVR MVR
234 MVR MVR
179 MW
90 MVR
1.00 pu
-152 MW
37 MVR
154 MW
-24 MVR
-57 MW
18 MVR
58 MW
-16 MVR
-87 MW
29 MVR
89 MW
-24 MVR
1.00 pu
1.00 pu
343 MW
-49 MVR
104% 104%
100 MW
AGC ON
AVR ON
AGC ON
AVR ON
Reactive
power
must also
sum to
zero at
each bus
Note
reactive
line losses
are about
13 Mvar
56
Voltage Magnitude
Power systems must supply electric power within
a narrow voltage range, typically with 5% of a
nominal value.
For example, wall outlet should supply
120 volts, with an acceptable range from 114 to
126 volts.
Voltage regulation is a vital part of system
operations.
57
Reactive Power and Voltage
Reactive power and voltage magnitude are tightly
coupled.
Greater reactive demand decreases the bus
voltage, while reactive generation increases the
bus voltage.
58
Voltage Regulation
A number of different types of devices participate
in system voltage regulation
generators: reactive power output is automatically
changed to keep terminal voltage within range.
capacitors: switched either manually or automatically
to keep the voltage within a range.
Load-tap-changing (LTC) transformers: vary their off-
nominal tap ratio to keep a voltage within a specified
range.
59
Five Bus Reactive Power Example
Bus 3
Bus 4
Bus 5
200 MW
100 MVR
405 MW MW
96 MVR MVR
100 MW MW
50 MVR MVR
1.000 pu
143 MW
5 MVR
-60 MW
5 MVR
61 MW
-2 MVR
1.00 pu
0.994 pu
100 MW
12 MVR
100 MW
AGC ON
AVR ON
79 MVR MVR
0.982 pu
0.995 pu
100 MW MW
0 MVR MVR
3 L
-40 MW
24 MVR
100 MW
10 MVR
Voltage
magnitude
is
controlled
by
capacitor
LTC
Transformer
is
controlling
load voltage
60
Voltage Control
Voltage control is necessary to keep system
voltages within an acceptable range.
Because reactive power does not travel well, it
would be difficult for it to be supplied by a third
party.
It is very difficult to assign reactive power and
voltage control to particular transactions.
61
Conclusion
Talk has provided brief overview of how power
grid operates.
Educational Version of PowerWorld Simulator,
capable of solving systems with up to 12 buses,
can be downloaded for free at
www.powerworld.com
60,000 bus commercial version is also available.