Midwest ISO will be the first regional transmission operator (RTO) to conduct a grid-scale synchrophasor deployment with assistance from a DOE Smart Grid stimulus grant. The company has signed a contract with DOE for a $17.3 million grant, half of the total $34.5 million project cost. More than 150 synchrophasors, also known as phasor measurement units (PMUs), will be installed by transmission owners to more accurately measure voltage and current in  the eastern interconnection. The Smart Grid technology is expected to provide enhanced grid reliability and stability and, possibly, more transmission capacity.

Quick Take: Fortunately, some of the money for this project is dedicated to research. Great idea: Knowing early on that the project and its components are working properly and why will help a lot in replicating synchrophasor technology elsewhere. And if something doesn't work all that well? Better to get it fixed sooner rather than later.

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