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/ Smart Grid Center > Events > Webinar on 6/21/2023: Do North American Electric Grids have Distinct Inter-Area Electro-Mechanical Modes?

Webinar on 6/21/2023: Do North American Electric Grids have Distinct Inter-Area Electro-Mechanical Modes?

Dr. Thomas J. Overbye, professor and holder of the O’Donnell Foundation Chair III in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of Texas A&M University (TAMU), and the Director of TEES Smart Grid Center, is going to present this talk titled “Do North American Electric Grids have Distinct Inter-Area Electro-Mechanical Modes?” at 3pm CDT on June 21, 2023. 

Abstract

This talk considers the extent to which distinct inter-area electromechanical modes exist in large-scale electric grids. Electric grids oscillate, and these oscillations have often been described using the linear systems concept of modes. However, electric grids are nonlinear systems, and are becoming increasingly nonlinear with the growth of inverter-based controls, deadbands, and other devices that often operate at their limits. Hence adequate linearizations may no longer exist, calling into question the extent to which distinct modes exist. For a mode to exist at an operating point its frequency, damping and shape must be independent of the disturbance used to excite it. The talk shows results for three synthetic and two actual models of North American electric grids. The results show these criteria are not always met, particularly for the largest electric grids.  

Recent paper on the topic is posted here.

The webinar recording, presentation slide set and an associated demonstration video are also available: Recording; Slides; Demonstration Video

Speaker

Thomas J. Overbye is a professor and holder of the O’Donnell Foundation Chair III in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University (TAMU), and the Director of TEES Smart Grid Center, working in the area of large-scale electric power systems.  Prior to joining TAMU in 2017, he was a Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received his BS, MS, and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   Before starting his academic career, he was employed with Madison Gas and Electric Company.  He is the original developer of PowerWorld Simulator, a co-founder of PowerWorld Corporation, an author of a widely used Power System Analysis and Design book and is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering.

Presentation slides of other talks of Dr. Overbye and more about his research are posted here.