Accuracy Evaluation of an Equivalent Synchronization Method for Assessing the Time Reference in Power Networks

This paper deals with the evaluation of the accuracy performance of an approach for assessing the phase displacement between voltages at power network nodes. This task is accomplished by processing asynchronous measurements taken at each node. This turns into an equivalent synchronization, which is, therefore, obtained without exploiting any synchronization signals, such as the ones provided by means of wireless (i.e., global positioning system) or wired technologies. As a matter of fact, distribution system operators will gain the possibility of deploying, at more affordable costs, wide area measurement system (WAMS) over their power networks for enhancing their stability and reliability. Phasor measurement units (PMUs) are the most common examples of such WAMS, but, besides their high cost, there are circumstances where providing a time reference signal to remote PMUs often becomes a difficult task. This paper aims at recalling the basic theoretical principles of the method and at proving its applicability in power network through a deep analysis of its metrological performance.