CARWAMS synchrophasor research
WAMSTER system and STER Portable PMU units will be used for distributed synchrophasor measurements in the CARWAMS (Croatian Academic Research Wide Area Measurement System) synchrophasor research project. As of September 2010, this is the first known installation of phasor measurement units using GPRS mobile networks for transmission of synchrophasors, allowing quick deployment with no need for additional networking infrastructure.
By the end of 2010, portable STER Phasor Measurement Units will be installed in various cities around Croatia. During 2010 and 2011, these devices will be continuously measuring synchrophasor data and sending it to WAMSTER servers over GPRS, where it will be collected for real-time monitoring and detailed historical analysis by academic researchers.
Phasor measurement units communicating over GPRS
STER PMU portable phasor measurement units provide a revolutionary way to get valuable synchrophasor measurements with practically no deployment effort. Relying on mobile provider networks (GPRS, UMTS) to send synchrophasor data, these devices do not require any additional equipment: no communication infrastructure, no phasor data concentrator (PDC) equipment - only a SIM card for the local mobile telephony (internet) provider.
Synchrophasors used as key inputs for improved grid reliability
Long term goal of CARWAMS research project it to define and establish better operation and improved reliability of the integrated protection system in the Croatian power transmission network. Synchronized measurement of phasors at separated geographical locations is one of the key inputs for this research, and the revolutionary use of GPRS as means of communication are drastically reducing the cost of the project and time needed for deployment.
Role of WAMSTER system in this project is to provide zero-configuration devices and cost effective services (portable "plug and play" measurement devices, collection and storage of data to our dedicated data servers, online real-time monitoring using our web services, and detailed offline analysis of downloaded data). Offering this system as a complete service will allow the researchers to focus on actual analysis of the data, and lower costs of necessary equipment and service personnel.