Requirements for an Advanced PMU Calibrator

Jean-Pierre Braun, Christian Mester, Marc-Olivier Andr

Federal Institute of Metrology METAS, Lindenweg 50, 3003 Bern-Wabern, Switzerland
jean-pierre.braun@metas.ch

Abstract While phasor measurement units (PMUs) are used resolution. Figures ranging between 0.1 % and 0.01 % are
primarily in transmission networks, researchers envisage using presently being articulated.
them in distribution networks. The rapid proliferation of
renewable sources in distribution networks introduces volatility Of the different quantities measured by a PMU, the TVE is
that could be compensated with storage elements. The active the one which places the most stringent requirements on the
control of these storage devices requires the knowledge of the PMU calibrator. This paper explores these requirements and
system state based on frequent PMU measurements. The small proposes some of the perceived techniques to upgrade the
dimensions of distribution networks require PMUs with a total PMU calibrator designed by METAS [3, 4].
vector error (TVE) presently believed to be around 0.05 %. This
places even more stringent requirement on the calibrators used
for these advanced PMUs. This paper explores the requirements II. UNCERTAINTY REQUIREMENTS
and possible implementation of an advanced PMU calibrator.
Index Terms Active calibration, atomic clock, distribution The TVE originates from errors affecting the magnitude, the
networks, IEEE C37.118.1-2014, measurement uncertainty, phase and the time base of the measurement sampling. For
phasor measurement unit, PMU, total vector error, TVE. instance, a TVE of 0.1 % can be caused by either a magnitude
error of 100010-6, a phase error of 1000 rad or a time base
I. INTRODUCTION error of 3.18 s. A tenfold improvement of TVE hence
demands a tenfold improvement of the TVE uncertainty.
Since their invention, the use of phasor measurement units Considering that the uncertainty of a calibrator should be at
(PMUs) has been limited to transmission networks. They least ten times better than that of the DUT, the TVE
contribute in many aspects to the operation and management uncertainty of the calibrator must be 0.001 % in order to
of these networks: state estimation, stability monitoring and evaluate PMUs with a TVE uncertainty of 0.01 %.
transmission line fault location, as well as other applications.
However, PMUs were for a long time perceived as unsuited
for distribution networks where the phase differences are
small. Moreover, most existing PMUs were designed around
the standard IEEE C37.118.1 [1]. This standard was not
originally designed around needs of power systems, but
around the technology available in the late 80s, when the first
PMUs were designed.
Today, the rapid deployment of renewable power sources in
distribution networks is placing constraints on these networks
that could be managed with the use of PMUs. At the core of
the problem lies the great volatility associated with the use of
wind or solar energy, which causes large and rapid voltage
swings. These instabilities could be smoothed with storage
Fig. 1. Example of the admissible magnitude vs phase error
elements, provided these are actively controlled and can
diagram for a TVE of 1010-6, assuming no time base error.
intervene quickly. The control of the network with integrated
storage systems would require continuous knowledge of the
state of the local network, which is a task where PMUs could III. PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO METAS PMU CALIBRATOR
play an essential role.
A. Time base uncertainty
However, PMUs used in distribution networks would
require much higher performances than those used in PMUs are usually synchronised using a GPS time base.
transmission networks. The short distances in distribution However, two distinct GPS receivers at the same geographical
networks and the presence of high levels of power quality location do not give exactly the same time, as shown in Fig. 2.
disturbances demand that PMUs be both capable to resolve A more accurate time base is thus required for calibrators.
small phase angles as well as being robust to disturbances. Since UTC(CH), METAS contribution to UTC, is available
The specifications for such PMUs are presently investigated in-house, the time base of our calibrator can be significantly
by researchers [2]. Among the many required performances, improved. So it is possible to achieve at least 100-fold
the TVE will play a central role as it defines the angle reduction in jitter.
978-1-4673-9134-4/16/$31.00 2016 IEEE

Fig. 2. Typical time difference between GPS receivers type
Meinberg M600 and NI PXI-6882 at the same geographical location.
This improvement can be implemented with no
modification of the timing hardware for master and slave
clocks.
B. Magnitude uncertainty
The system architecture does not need a major overhaul,
except for the addition of the four sub-systems at the top of the
block diagram in Fig. 3, allowing automatic recalibration of
the calibrator.
Fig. 3. Architecture of the PMU calibrator developed at METAS.
Simulations have shown that using ADCs with 16 bit
resolution is acceptable even when taking into account
amplifier noise and distortion. ADCs with 18 bit resolution
can be used, with a possible extension to 24 bit if required.
The goal is to achieve voltage and current measurements with
uncertainties in the range (1020)10-6.
C. Phase uncertainty
Various delays and phase shifts are introduced by the
limited bandwidth of the components making up the system.
To illustrate this problem, the voltage amplifier with a
bandwidth of 6.5 kHz can be modelled by a frequency-
independent amplifier and a one-pole low-pass filter. At
50 Hz, this filter causes a magnitude attenuation of 29.6 V/V
and a phase shift of -7692 rad with slopes of 1.18 (V/V)/Hz
and 154 rad/Hz respectively. Since a flat response is required
in the range (4565) Hz, digital correction and filtering have
to be implemented to compensate for these effects.
D. Testing the impact of power quality disturbances
Testing the immunity to power quality disturbances is very
likely to be more complex than outlined in IEEE C37.118.1. It
will require the ability to generate different types of power
quality disturbances by means of implementing a specific real-
time waveform generator. In addition, it will be necessary to
operate at much higher sampling rates. Implementing an
adjustable sampling rate will permit the use of the PMU
calibrator for the testing of PQ analysers designed around
IEC 61000-4-30.
IV. CONCLUSION
This paper addressed some of the constraints that the usage
of PMUs in distribution networks places on calibrators needed
for their certification or verification. While a TVE of 0.001 %
is ambitious, a target around 0.005 % appears more realistic.
However, the design of PMUs with a TVE of 0.05 % in field
conditions is not a trivial task either. Meeting the
specifications for PMUs used in distribution networks still
represents a considerable challenge.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This work received funding through the European
Metrology Research Programme (EMRP), Project ENG52
Measurement tools for Smart Grid stability and quality.
REFERENCES
[1] IEEE Standard C37.118.1 2011, IEEE Standard for
Synchrophasors Measurements for Power Systems, IEEE
Power & Energy Society.
[2] D. Colangelo, Architecture & characterization for PMU
operating in power distribution systems, IEEE PowerTech
conference, 2015.
[3] J.P. Braun, C. Mester, Reference grade calibrator for the testing
of the dynamic behavior of PMU units, 2012 Conference on
Precision Electromagnetic Measurements.
[4] J.P. Braun, S. Siegenthaler, Calibration of PMUs with a
reference grade calibrator, 2014 Conference on Precision
Electromagnetic Measurements.