Communication Feasibility Analysis for Smart Grid With Phasor Measurement Units

The conventional power system is going through a paradigm change towards smart grid. Phasor measurement units (PMUs) have emerged as the edifice for information technology related to wide-area monitoring systems (WAMSs) for power system monitoring, information communication, and control purposes. The PMUs require communication links for a complex interconnected power grid, and proper spatial coordination plays a vital role for wireless communication network. Geographical information system (GIS) provides a rich set of functions to analyze the power network incorporating geospatial features. This paper investigates the impact of topological attributes on commissioning of wireless communication network for PMUs incorporating GIS aided analysis and to optimize one of the PMU location as main control station. This will not only serve for monitoring automation purposes, but will also ensure control automation. Case studies related to the eastern grid of India corroborate the efficacy of GIS-aided wireless communication for linking PMUs.