Distance relays operation during the August 2003 North American Blackout and methods for improvement

The August 2003 Blackout in the Northeast was a major event that resulted in huge losses and raised a lot of issues related to the protection and control of the electric power system during wide area disturbances. The paper discusses the operation of distance relays during the blackout and presents an analysis of advanced distance characteristics and power swing detection methods that that can improve the performance of the protection system and prevent the deterioration of the system following short circuit faults or other abnormal system conditions.

I. Introduction

The August 2003 Blackout in the Northeast US and Southeast Canada was a major event that resulted in huge losses and raised the awareness of the public about many issues related to the control and protection of electric power systems.