About
GridRadar.net is a Wide Area Monitoring System (WAMS) that continuously meters the grid frequency within the UCTE grid through a large number of phasor measurement stations throughout Europe and records these values.
Goals
In order to gain more insight into the complex processes taking place within the grid, we primarily use the grid’s frequency as a measure.
In addition to the grid frequency, the voltage angle, also known as the phase angle, is also recorded. The voltage angle gives insight into power flows between individual regions as well as helps us see the start-up and shutdown of individual power plants. All records are time-stamped using highly precise GPS time-synchronized phasor measurement units.
Hence, statements such as intensity and direction of load flows between two locations can be made.
Background
The European electric grid is a tightly knit network of power plants and loads, all connected transnationally by transmission lines and close-meshed distribution grids. The nominal frequency of this interconnected system is 50 Hz with the grid spanning from Portugal to Turkey. The mains frequency is always subject to short-term deviations having their cause in trading artefacts, power plant failures or line faults.
Because consumption and generation must be in balance at all times the frequency will provides insight into the current status of the grid. If, for example, the grid frequency falls below 50 Hz, this means that there is a production shortfall or higher consumption than forecast. However, if the frequency is above 50 Hz, there is an excess generation or too little consumption. Thus, the system must be constantly stabilized and readjusted in order to remain in a corridor close to 50 Hz.
Details
The nominal frequency in the European electricity grid is 50 Hz. In reality however, the mains frequency is subject to constant fluctuations due to various influences and is subject to constant readjustment. Since in an electric grid generation and consumption must be in balance with each other, the frequency is a measure of the grid’s stability. However, artefacts through electricity market trading and the constant noise of the generator-side speed controllers and the actions of countless consumers and loads always lead to small deviations from the setpoint frequency of 50 Hz.
Map view
– Map view of the GridRadar.net WAMS
– About the WAMS Real-time Netzmonitor für Europa | Gridradar
Governance
The project is an enterprise of MagnaGen GmbH in connection with Mr. Prof. Dr. Tobias Veith of www.energiestudium.de.
Data access
If you are interested in accessing our data, be it for commercial or scientific purposes such as publications, analysis or scientific studies please contact them.
Appendix
See also https://www.netzfrequenzmessung.de/.