Successes and Challenges for Synchrophasor Technology: An Update from the North American SynchroPhasor Initiative

Abstract

The North American SynchroPhasor Initiative is a collaboration between the electric industry, NERC and U.S. DOE to advance the use of synchrophasor technology for improved grid reliability. Over the past year NASPI members have completed drafting or updating several key technical interoperability standards and guidelines, helped recipients of federal ARRA awards to plan and implement Smart Grid Investment Grants, written a guideline to phasor technology, developed new guidance for phasor measurement unit location, and advanced the design and built key elements of new phasor data systems, including Phasor Gateways, Phasor Data Concentrators and a Phasor Signal Registry. NASPI holds three well-attended conferences each year to share information and work on new issues and challenges.