Hardware in the Loop Design and Testing of a PMU-Based Special Protection Scheme: Case Study of Colombia-Ecuador Interconnection

The use of established technologies such as synchrophasor measurement and the use of emerging technologies such as Real-Time Digital Simulators -RTS- are gaining relevance in the design and testing of applications associated with the protection of power networks from a systemic point of view. This paper introduces the reasons that led to the decision to renew the Special Protection Scheme -SPS- in charge of separating the Colombian and Ecuadorian power networks in the presence of conditions that threaten the stability of either system. A brief history of the use of synchrophasor measurement in Colombia and several success cases in the implementation of PMU-based SPS worldwide are also given. The proposed protection functions implemented in the new SPS and a novel platform for testing SPS based on the use of Real-Time Digital Systems -RTS- in a Hardware in the Loop scheme -HIL- are described. Finally, lessons learned and conclusions are given.