Contents Introduction
Operation of electric power systems is becoming more and more complex and posing many more challenges every day as the power systems are expanding and the power generation and transmission utilities are deregulated. There are many more independent power generators adding generation to the electric system and an increasing push for small distributed generation. On the other hand, the demand for higher reliability and power quality is increasing as power electronics driven sensitive loads are added by the industrial consumers. Also, under the competitive deregulated market conditions, the utilities are finding it more difficult to plan and upgrade the transmission systems as in the past and are unable to keep up with the growing loads and the added generation. The power systems have also become so interdependent that the events in one area can cascade and have significant impact on other remote areas. This change in the industry is putting pressure for the development of new tools to monitor system stability and reliability.
