STABILITY BASICS
2-2
If
0)(lim =
∞→
t
t
x
occurs for all x
o
the origin is said to be asymptotically stable in the large or
globally asymptotically stable. If, however, this requires
x
o
to be sufficiently small, the origin is
asymptotically stable in the small.
The above definitions of stability of dynamic systems are directly applicable to power systems.
Power system stability definition
A power system at a given operating state is stable if following a given disturbance, or a set of
disturbances, the system state stays within specified bounds and the system reaches a new stable
equilibrium state within a specified period of time.
Comments
Stability as defined above encompasses all types of stability likely to be encountered in power
systems. Examples are: synchronous stability, shaft torsional stability, voltage stability, control
loop stability, etc. It is not necessary to separately define angle (synchronous) or voltage, or any
other stability for that matter. The reason is that frequently they do not manifest themselves
separately, i.e., they may be interrelated. If the stability in question is known to involve only one
aspect exclusively, the same definition can be interpreted to address that aspect only. For
example, if the stability in question involves voltage only, the above definition would be restated
as follows:
A power system at a given operating state and subject to a given disturbance is voltage stable if
voltages near loads approach post-disturbance equilibrium values.
The other reason for not defining the different types of stability separately is that if the system is
to be considered stable it must be stable in every sense. That is, a power system which possesses
synchronous stability but not voltage stability is not acceptable. However, for practical reasons it
is convenient to know the mode of instability when the system becomes unstable so that
corrective measures can be planned and implemented. Two main classes of stability of primary
importance in power system dynamics are:
Small-disturbance stability
If the magnitude of the disturbance is sufficiently small so that the system response in the initial
stage is essentially linear, the stability may be classified as small-disturbance stability (or small-
signal stability, or stability in the small). As will be seen later, small-disturbance stability is
assured if the eigenvalues of the appropriate dynamic model, linearized about the equilibrium
point, have negative real parts. If there is an eigenvalue with positive real part the system is
unstable. Complex eigenvalues occur in conjugate pairs. They signify oscillations. With negative
real parts oscillations damp out.
Note that when a linearized model predicts instability (one or more eigenvalues with positive real
part) it does not necessarily follow that the oscillation amplitude following a disturbance will
increase indefinitely. As the oscillation amplitude increases beyond a certain point, system
nonlinearities and equipment limits may play a dominant role and a limit cycle may be reached.
Then the true system response can only be obtained through a solution of the complete nonlinear
model. Also note that in certain small-disturbance situations equipment limit may be encountered
so that linearization may not be permissible, and the stability should not be classified as such.