Introduction: Power system collapse prediction, voltage instability.

Objectives: This project is to test and evaluate the CPR – D collapse prediction relay manufactured by a-eberle and any other devices and/or techniques as they become available. The CPR-D relay is marketed as innovative in the field of network collapse prediction but as yet is unproven and therefore its operation under system stress conditions has not been confirmed. The techniques used by a-eberle in the design of this relay are:

• Detection of gradual network breakdowns using the tap/time method

• Evaluation of power frequency and its rate of change.

• Measurement of low frequency oscillations and their comparison with a healthy network fingerprint

• Monitoring of voltage drift

• Examination of Lyapunov exponents

• Monitoring of damping profile of the network.

The project is undertaken in conjunction with Manchester University, Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern with involvement from Northern Ireland Electricity and Eirgrid.

The aim of the project is to test the CPR-D relay in both a laboratory and a field environment in order to understand the capabilities and sensitivities of the device and evaluate if it would be a beneficial tool for a system planning/operation during times of system stress. Units will be deployed across networks in order to collect data for research purposes and validating network models.