Distribution-level frequency estimation and modal analysis using inexpensive and open-source Phasor Measurement Unit

Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) are used at the transmission level to measure electrical waves in the electricity grid. The data collected by PMUs are also GPS time-synchronized, so the grid operators can get excellent wide area situational awareness. At the distribution-level, Frequency Disturbance Recorders (FDR) developed by University of Tennessee Knoxville is one of the few PMUs that have been implemented. They have shown that system-wide events are observable at the distribution level, and that these low-level voltage variations can be indicators of localized power issues. The problems with commercial FDR units are their high cost and closed source policy which hinders further research. This ongoing research focuses on the development of a open-source, inexpensive and portable PMU that is able to analyze the local power grid with the same level of detail as FDRs are able to. Using the modal-analysis, we were be able to illustrate various changes in the power grid. We captured small to medium scale disturbances that are related to local changes. Therefore, we expect to be able to monitor the health of the local power system by gathering data from several PMUs in future.