Managing contingencies in real time using EMS advanced network applications

Increase in complexity of electric power network operations due to several factors such as changes in market conditions, increase in imports / exports and also due to growth in load, electric power networks have become more stressed in their operation. This has provided opportunity for engineers and Energy Management System (EMS) providers coming up with new approaches in providing security to the power grid so as to mitigate the impact of contingencies. The authors share their knowledge and experience, by drawing examples from BC Transmission Corporation(BCTC) system operation with their new EMS in handling the contingencies in real time with support of operational tools, planned strategies and schemes, monitoring the system and post contingency actions. The contingencies can potentially lead to different problems such as insufficient generation reserve, equipment overloads, frequency/voltage/transient instability. A brief description of the tools of the new EMS from the perspective of handling the contingencies is also shared.