FUNDAMENTAL ENGINEERING PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OPERATING POWERTRANSMISSION GRIDS OF THE FUTURE

This paper is concerned with the pivotal role of the transmission grid in achieving high energy efficiency over inter connected power system s. Since the transmission grid is taking on greater importance in resp onding to the evolving competition and deregulation of the utility bus iness, we first briefly review its basic role and the methods by which it has been compensated and controlled in the past, In the future it is likely that the grid will be called upon to accommodate large energ y transfers over far electrical distances, maximize power flow over th e contractual paths while minimizing its effects on the rest of the sy stem, and accommodate additional transfer needs caused by an increased presence of the independent power producers (IPP). While much discuss ion is concerned with the regulatory aspects of these changes, it is a lso necessary to revisit basic engineering issues in planning and oper ating the transmission grid subject to these changes. This paper deals strictly with the engineering aspects of the problem. It reviews fund amental planning and operating questions of the transmission grid as s een by the author. Its emphasis is on network/control concepts conside red essential in planning new compensation of the transmission grid an d its adaptation to very dynamic and uncertain changes in generation a nd load inputs to the grid.