Abstract:
Synchronized phasor measurements are becoming an important element of wide area
measurement systems used in advanced power system monitoring, protection, and control
applications. Considering the current power outages in Ghana, the electric utility power
system may have major blackouts or natural catastrophes. It is therefore possible to lose
data from the network due to failure of communication systems during these incidents.
Hence, this study explored how network monitoring and security analysis could be
enhanced using phasor measurement units (PMUs). In all, 160 respondents including
system operators, system engineers and system controllers participated in the study.
Quantitative data analysis was performed using the Statistical Products and Service
Solutions (SPSS), version 18, while thematic analysis was performed on the qualitative
data obtained from the open-ended questions in the structured questionnaire and the
interview data. The use of SCADA to monitor traffic in GRDICo has not been highly
effective as the occurrences, disturbances and disruptions in traffic in the network are
frequent. Additionally, the study concluded that, there are significant challenges that
confront network monitoring and security analysis of grid in GRIDCo including real time
monitoring and control, post power disturbance analysis and power systems state
estimation. It is recommended that,the enhancement of network monitoring and security
analysis of grid in GRIDCo using PMU could result in the unique ability to provide
synchronized power system phasor measurements from widely dispersed locations in the
electric power grid. Secondly, sufficient funds should be made available by government
through the Ministry of Energy to help GRIDCo experience significant investment in the
deployment of phasor measurement units (PMUs) and the associated infrastructure for
making synchrophasor measurements and data collection
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of ELECTRICAL AND AUTOMOTIVE
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Faculty of TECHNICAL EDUCATION submitted
to the School of Research and Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba,
in partial fulfillment of the award of MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and
Electronics Education) degree
AUGUST 2012