The MVA-Volt index: a screening tool for predicting fault-induced low voltage problems on bulk transmission systems

In this paper, a new method for steady-state screening of buses to identify possible fault-induced delayed-voltage recovery problems is presented. The method is particularly useful for 1) prioritizing substation relaying and breaker maintenance, 2) evaluating impacts of system improvement alternatives, 3) identifying most-effective locations for undervoltage load shedding, and 4) locating voltage (reactive) support equipment. The method is based on a single index value for each bus that is determined by considering the amount of load impacted by a fault at that bus using a weighted summation. The steady-state screening algorithm has been validated using dynamic simulations and has been used to successfully identify as a potentially severe contingency the location of an actual event that occurred on the Southern Eiectric System in the summer of 1999. Index Terms--Fast voltage collapse, power systems, power transmission planning, under-voltage load shedding, voltage stability.