GridOS^® WAMS

A Wide Area Monitoring System (WAMS) is an advanced transmission power grid software solution to enhance the monitoring and control of large-scale transmission networks. WAMS provides real-time data and situational awareness over wide geographical areas, which is critical for maintaining grid stability and grid reliability.

WAMS, or Wide Area Monitoring Systems, are primarily used in the context of electrical power systems. These systems leverage advanced measurement technologies, such as Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), to provide real-time monitoring and analysis of electrical grid operations over large geographical areas. The primary uses of WAMS include:

• Grid Stability and Reliability: WAMS monitors the stability and dynamic performance of the power grid, enabling operators to detect and address system disturbances or anomalies promptly.
• Situational Awareness: By providing real-time data, WAMS enhances situational awareness for grid operators so they can make informed decisions and improve operational efficiency.
• Early Warning and Alerts: WAMS can provide early warnings of potential issues, such as oscillations, helping prevent blackouts and improving system reliability.
• Optimization and Control: WAMS can be used to optimize grid operations and improve control strategies by providing accurate and timely information about grid conditions.

A WAMS offers several benefits that increase the efficiency, reliability, and security of electrical power systems.

Key benefits of WAMS:

• Real-time Data Acquisition: WAMS uses Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) to collect real-time data on voltage, current, frequency, and phase angle across the grid. This data is essential for understanding the dynamic behavior of the transmission power grid.
• Enhanced Situational Awareness: By providing a comprehensive view of grid operations over a large area, WAMS helps operators detect and respond to disturbances and anomalies quickly, preventing potential outages or grid failures.
• Grid Stability and Reliability: WAMS contributes to grid stability by enabling operators to monitor and manage power flows, detect oscillations, and address potential stability issues proactively.
• Support for Renewable Integration: WAMS facilitates the integration of renewable energy sources by providing the necessary data to manage their variability and ensure their efficient use within the grid.
• Advanced Analytics and Decision Support: The system leverages advanced analytics to provide insights and decision support, helping operators make informed decisions to optimize grid performance.
• Coordination Across Regions: WAMS enables better coordination and collaboration between different regions and grid operators, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of interconnected power systems. This is especially valuable for synchronous electrical grids, like Europe’s Continental Synchronous Area.

GridOS WAMS is a critical component in modernizing the transmission power grid, providing the tools and data needed to manage increasingly complex and dynamic electrical systems.

WAMS is a key component of a smart grid with its enhanced monitoring, control, and optimization capabilities. Here is how WAMS contributes to the development and operation of smart transmission grids :

• Real-time Data Collection: WAMS utilizes Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) to gather real-time data on voltage, current, frequency, and phase angles across the grid. This data is crucial for the smart grid's ability to monitor and manage grid conditions dynamically.
• Improved Situational Awareness: By offering a comprehensive, wide-area perspective of grid operations, WAMS enhances situational awareness for operators. This capability is essential for the smart grid's goal of maintaining reliability and stability under varying conditions.
• Enhanced Grid Stability: Smart grids aim to be more resilient and adaptive. WAMS supports this by providing the tools to detect and mitigate stability issues, such as oscillations, that can arise from complex grid interactions.
• Integration with Renewable Energy Sources: Smart grids are designed to support the integration of renewable energy. WAMS facilitates this by providing the necessary data and analytics to manage the variability and distributed nature of renewables effectively.
• Grid Optimization and Efficiency: Through real-time monitoring and data analytics, WAMS contributes to optimizing grid operations, reducing energy losses, and enhancing overall efficiency, which are key goals of the smart grid.
• Interoperability and Coordination: WAMS enables better coordination across different grid regions and systems, fostering interoperability—a core principle of smart grid development. This capability supports seamless communication and collaboration between various grid components.