Protection Engineering and Power System Disturbances

Disturbances of the operation of electrical power systems may be caused by failures in electrical plants and lines, but they can also originate in not adapted operation procedures. These reduction in the performance of electrical grids are documented in the "Statistical evaluation of the failures in the Austrian electrical grids". An efficient evaluation helps to concentrate the necessary efforts, especially if the aspect of cost for the countermeasures is regarded. This aspect has become necessary in the liberalised electricity market. Once the protection philosophy is established, devices and their functions are to analysed. The activities of the Department of Electrical Power Systems cover decoupling of grids, distance protection, earth fault protection and detection and the treatment of the system neutral.