National Conference on Recent Trends in Engineering & Technology
Power System Transient Stability Analysis Using
ETAP Software
Jignesh S. Patel
P.G. Student of Electrical Power System
B.V.M. Engineering College
V.V.Nagar, Gujarat
jigs_new88@ymail.com
Abstract— Power-system stability is a term applied to
alternating-current electric power systems, denoting a condition
in which the various synchronous machines of the system remain
in synchronism, or "in step," with each other. Conversely,
instability denotes a condition involving loss of synchronism, or
falling "out of step". Occurrence of a fault in a power system
causes transients. To stabilize the system load flow analysis is
done. Actually in practice the fault generally occurs in the load
side. As we controlling load side which will lead to complex
problem in order to avoid that we are controlling the generator
side. This paper covers the transient stability analysis of 400 kV
substation of Soja. A three phase fault is located at specified bus
to analyze the effect of fault location in critical clearing time on
the system stability.
Keywords- critical clearing time, ETAP, three phase fault,
transient, transient stability.
I. INTRODUCTION
Successful operation of a power system depends largely on
the engineer's ability to provide reliable and uninterrupted
service to the loads. The reliability of the power supply
implies much more than merely being available. Ideally, the
loads must be fed at constant voltage and frequency at all
times. The first requirement of reliable service is to keep the
synchronous generators running in parallel and with adequate
capacity to meet the load demand. Synchronous machines do
not easily fall out of step under normal conditions. A second
requirement of reliable electrical service is to maintain the
integrity of the power network. The high-voltage transmission
system connects the generating stations and the load centers.
Power-system stability is a term applied to alternating-current
electric power systems, denoting a condition in which the
various synchronous machines of the system remain in
synchronism, or "in step," with each other. Conversely,
instability denotes a condition involving loss of synchronism,
or falling "out of step."
For convenience of analysis, stability problems are
generally divided into two major categories:
• Steady-state stability
• Transient stability
Steady-state stability refers to the ability of the power
system to regain synchronism after small and slow
disturbances, such as ground power changes. An extension of
the steady-state stability is known as the dynamic stability.
13-14 May 2011 B.V.M. Engineering College, V.V.Nagar,Gujarat,India
Manish N. Sinha
Assistant Professor in EE Department
B.V.M. Engineering College
V.V.Nagar, Gujarat
manishsinha77@ymail.co.in
Transient stability studies deal with the effects of large,
sudden disturbances, such as the occurrence of the fault, the
sudden outage of a line [1] [2].
Transient stability entails the evaluation of a power
system’s ability to withstand large disturbances, and to survive
transition to a normal operating condition. These disturbances
can be faults such as: a short circuit on a transmission line,
loss of a generator, loss of a load, gain of load or loss of a
portion of transmission network. Large number of simulations
is carried out regularly during planning stages to gain
knowledge of this system. Yet, even a well designed and
normally operated system may face the threat of transient
instability [3].
On the platform of ETAP, a worldwide-used simulation tool
for power system analysis, the electric grid is settled up for the
modeling of generators, transformers, lines, cables, loads, the
external equivalent grid, etc. Eleven typical load flow
operations, including operation structures under normal,
maintenance and extreme conditions, are set up as base cases
for the detailed study, including inter-connected situation and
isolated operation, or some key electric equipment out of
service. With the units’ number increasing, the system
presents rotor angle stability. With the multiple voltage levels
in the system, voltage profile is sensitive to the system
structure and operation point. It is critical for the case that
most of the loads are large motors. Although the system is
connected to the bulk system under normal condition, it may
operate isolated at extremely fault contingency. Then the
system faces the demanding requirement of frequency stability
and control [4].
The aim of the investigation is to analyze the behavior of
the synchronous machine in particular the angular position of
the rotor with respect to time after the fault occurs in the
system. Section II is the study of transient stability analysis.
Section III describes the development of system model.
Section IV is short circuit analysis of the model. Section V
describes the results for transient stability. Section VI
concludes the paper.
II. TRANSIENT STABILITY ANALYSIS
A. Transient stability
Each generator operates at the same synchronous speed and
frequency of 50 hertz while a delicate balance between the
 National Conference on Recent Trends in Engineering & Technology

input mechanical power and output electrical power is
maintained. Whenever generation is less than the actual
consumer load, the system frequency falls. On the other hand,
whenever the generation is more than the actual load, the
system frequency rise. The generators are also interconnected
with each other and with the loads they supply via high
voltage transmission line.
The power system is routinely subjected to a variety of
disturbances. Even the act of switching on an appliance in the
house can be regarded as a disturbance. However, given the
size of the system and the scale of the perturbation caused by
the switching of an appliance in comparison to the size and
capability of the interconnected system, the effects are not
measurable. Large disturbance do occur on the system. These
include severe lightning strikes, loss of transmission line
carrying bulk power due to overloading. The ability of power
system to survive the transition following a large disturbance
and reach an acceptable operating condition is called transient
stability.
the machine reactance and the line reactance into a single
reactance, we have an electric circuit consisting of two
constant-voltage sources, Eg and EM, connected through
reactance X =XG + XL + XM. It will be shown that the power
transmitted from the generator to the motor depends upon the
phase difference δ of the two voltages EG and EM. Since these
voltages are generated by the flux produced by the field
windings of the machines, their phase difference is the same as
the electrical angle between the machine rotors. The vector
diagram of voltages is shown in Fig.2 Vectorially,
EG = EM + jXI (1)
Hence the current is,
 

=

(2)
The power output of the generator and likewise the power
input of the motor, since there is no resistance in the line is
given by,

=
 

Any disturbance in the system will cause the imbalance
between the mechanical power input to the generator and
=
    
electrical power output of the generator to be affected. As a  

(3)
Where Re means “the real part of” and  means the
result, some of the generators will tend to speed up and some

conjugate of  .
will tend to slow down. If, for a particular generator, this
tendency is too great, it will no longer remain in synchronism
with the rest of the system and will be automatically
disconnected from the system. This phenomenon is referred to Now let,
as a generator going out of step.  =  ∠0
B. Elementary view of transient stability analysis
And
 =  ∠

 =  ∠ −
Then

(4)
So,
 ∠ −  ∠0
=
  ∠ −  
∠90°
  − 
=
  ∠ 90°  − ∠ −90° − 
 
Fig.1.Simple two machine power system

 
=− cos −90° − 

 
=   sin 
$
(5)

This equation shows that the power P transmitted from the

Fig.2.Phasor diagram of the different parameters
Consider the very simple power system of Fig.1, consisting
of a synchronous generator supplying power to a synchronous
generator to the motor varies with the sine of the displacement
angle δ between the two rotors, as plotted in Fig.2.
The curve P versus δ is known as the power angle curve and is
shown in fig.3. The maximum power that can be transmitted
in the steady state with the given reactance X and the given

 
motor over a circuit composed of series inductive reactance internal voltages EG and EM is,
'() =

XL. Each of the synchronous machines may be represented, at
least approximately, by a constant-voltage source in series
And occurs at a displacement angle δ = 90°. The value of
with a constant reactance. Thus the generator is represented by maximum power may be increased by rising either of the
Eg and Xg; and the motor, by EM and XM. Upon combining internal voltages or by decreasing the circuit reactance [1].

13-14 May 2011 B.V.M. Engineering College, V.V.Nagar,Gujarat,India

 National Conference on Recent Trends in Engineering & Technology

Where Pa is the accelerating power.

From the above equation, we have
+,- 234
= ' −  
+/ , 1
(9)

Fig.3. Power-angle curve of the system.

C. Swing equation
The electromechanical equation describing the relative
motion of the rotor load angle (δ) with respect to the stator
field as a function of time is known as Swing equation. The
swing equation in terms of the inertia constant becomes,
+,-
* .
= ' − 
+/ ,
(6)
Where,
M = inertia constant, it is not really constant when the rotor
speed deviates from the synchronous speed.
Pm = Shaft power input, corrected for windage and friction
'6 −  7 = 89:8 8;< = 89:8 =6
losses.
Pe = Pa sin δ = electrical power output, corrected for electrical
losses.
Pa = amplitude for the power angle curve.
δm = mechanical power angle.
Swing equation in terms of electrical angle is,
 +, -
* = ' −  δ = δmax. According to Equation for stability,
0 +/ ,
(7)
D. Equal-area criterian
' −  7 = 0 (11)
The transient stability studies involve the determination of
whether or not synchronism is maintained after the machine
has been subjected to sever disturbance. This may be sudden
application of load, loss of generation, loss of large load, or a
fault on the system. In most disturbances, oscillations are of
'6 −  7 = 89:8 ;7:
such magnitude that linearization is not permissible and the
nonlinear swing equation must be solved. A method known as
the equal-area criterion can be used for a quick prediction of
stability. This method is based on the graphical interpretation
Fig.4. Equal-area criterion (sudden change of load).
Consider the machine operating at the equilibrium point δ0,
corresponding to the mechanical power input Pm0 = Pe0 as
shown in figure 4. Consider a sudden step increase in input
power represented by horizontal line Pm1. Since Pm1 > Pe0, the
accelerating power on the rotor is positive and the power angle
δ increases. The excess energy stored in the rotor during the
initial acceleration is
-
5-
>
(10)
?
With increase in δ, the electrical power increases, and when δ
= δ1, the electrical power matches the new input power Pm1.
Even though the acceleration power is zero at this point, the
rotor is running above synchronous speed; hence, δ and
electrical power Pe will continue to increase. Now Pm < Pe,
causing the rotor to decelerate toward synchronous speed until
-
5-
?
The rotor must swing past point b until an equal amount of
energy is given up by the rotating masses. The energy given
up by the rotor as it decelerates back to synchronous speed is,
-.AB
@
->
= 89:8 =
(12)
The result is that the rotor swings to point b and the
angle '() , at which point

|89:8 =6 | = |89:8 = |
of the energy stored in the rotating mass as an aid to determine
if the machine maintains its stability after a disturbance. The (13)
method is only applicable to a one-machine system connected
to an infinite bus or a two-machine system. This is known as the equal-area criterion. The rotor angle
Consider a synchronous machine connected to an infinite would then oscillate back and forth between δ0 and δmax at its
bus. The swing equation with damping neglected is given by, natural frequency. The damping present in the machine will
1 +, -
= ' −  = (
cause these oscillations to subside and the new steady state
234 +/ ,
(8)
operation would be established at point b [5].

13-14 May 2011 B.V.M. Engineering College, V.V.Nagar,Gujarat,India

 National Conference on Recent Trends in Engineering & Technology

III. SYSTEM MODEL IV. SHORT CIRCUIT ANALYSIS OF SYSTEM MODEL

The Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation has

A. System model in ETAP
established a 400kV SOJA sub-station. it is 1.5 km between
from Gojariya-Gandhinagar highway. It has a land of higher The case example is modeled in ETAP and shown in
bearing capacity. Due to the higher requirement of agricultural fig.6. ETAP is chosen as the simulation tool, which is
as well as bulk power requirement of industrial area the soja developed by OTI, a comprehensive analysis platform for the
center is so chosen. It covers total 50acres land, in which the design, simulation, and operation of generation, transmission,
construction of 400kV, 220kV and 33kV switchyard, control distribution, and industrial power systems [5]. It supplies a
room and also staff quarters etc. The incoming line of 400kV calculations for load flow, short circuit, transient stability, etc,
which are beneficial to explore the characteristics of
at Soja s/s is from Wanakbori and PGCIL 400kV s/s which is
simulated systems.
single circuit type transmission line .The tower required for
erection of 400kV transmission line which is coming from
Wanakbori and PGCIL s/s are of three type i.e., A, type C and
type D tower. The total number of tower required between
Wanakbori & PGCIL and soja s/s is 412. The line has charged
since 28th January 1987 In single line diagram two incoming
lines from Wanakbori and PGCIL of 400kV, and two
incoming line from Gandhinagar of 220kV.

Fig. 6 system model in ETAP

B. Short circuit study

The short circuit view of the system in ETAP is shown
in figure 7. In ETAP, the report can be generated for LLL,
LL, LG, LLG LLLG (symmetrical and asymmetrical both)
fault.

Fig. 5 One line diagram of 400 kV substation of Soja

A power system must be modeled as a nonlinear system
for large disturbances. Although power system stability may
be broadly defined according to different operating conditions,
an important problem which is frequently considered is the
problem of transient stability. It concerns the maintenance of
synchronism between generators following a severe
disturbance. By the excitation control in a generating unit
transient stability can be greatly enhanced. Another important
issue of power system control is to maintain steady acceptable
voltage under normal operating and disturbed conditions,
which is referred as the problem of voltage regulation [5]. Fig. 7 Short circuit view in ETAP

13-14 May 2011 B.V.M. Engineering College, V.V.Nagar,Gujarat,India

 National Conference on Recent Trends in Engineering & Technology

V. TRANSIENT STABILITY ANALYSIS OF THE SYSTEM

MODEL IN ETAP

The ETAP Transient Stability Analysis program is designed

to investigate the system dynamic responses and stability
limits of a power system before, during, and after system
changes or disturbances. The program models dynamic
characteristics of a power system, implements the user-defined
events and actions, solves the system network equation and
machine differential equations interactively to find out system
and machine responses in time domain.

The different plot for generator 1&2 when fault on bus-6 at

0.5sec and cleared at 1sec are shown below in fig.8 (a), (b),
(c), (d), (e), (f), (g) & (h). Fig. 8 (c) Generator Reactive power

Fig. 8 (c) shows the reactive power plot (Mvar vs. Time (sec))
for generator 1&2.

Fig. 8 (a) Generator Exciter current

Fig. 8 (d) Generator Electrical Power
Fig.8 (a) shows the result of the exciter current (Per unit vs.
Time (sec)) for generator 1&2. Fig. 8 (d) gives the plot of electrical power (MW vs. Time
(sec)) for generator 1&2.

Fig. 8 (b) Impedance Z Fig. 8 (e) Generator Speed

Fig.8 (b) shows the impedance plot (X in % machine base vs. Fig. 8 (e) shows the plot for speed variation (Rpm vs. Time
R in % machine base). (sec)) for generator 1&2.

13-14 May 2011 B.V.M. Engineering College, V.V.Nagar,Gujarat,India

 National Conference on Recent Trends in Engineering & Technology
Fig. 8 (f) Generator Relative Power Angle
Fig. 8(f) is the plot for relative power angle (Degree vs. Time
(sec)). We can see the result for generator 1&2.
Fig. 8(g) Generator Terminal Current
Fig. 8(g) is the plot of Generator Terminal Current (Amp vs.
Time (sec)) for generator 1&2.
Fig. 8 (h) Generator Absolute Power angle
13-14 May 2011 B.V.M. Engineering College, V.V.Nagar,Gujarat,India
Fig. 8(h) shows the plot of Generator Absolute Power Angle
(Degree vs. Time (sec)) for generator 1&2.
VI. CONCLUSION
Dynamic performance of a power system is significant in
the design and operation of the system. The transient stability
study determines the machine power angles and speed
deviations, system electrical frequency, real and reactive
power flows of the machines, power flows of lines and
transformers, as well as the voltage levels of the buses in the
system. These system conditions provide indications for
system stability assessments. The results are displayed on the
one-line diagram, and also can be printed or plotted. For
transient stability studies, you should model particular groups
of machines in the system , which are known to have
important influences on the system operation. The total
simulation time for each study case should be sufficiently
long to obtain a definite stability conclusion.
Power system stability is the property of a power system
that insures the system remains in electromechanical
equilibrium throughout any normal and abnormal operating
conditions.
Because the power system stability is an electromechanical
phenomenon, it is thus defined as the ability of designated
synchronous machines in the system to remain in
synchronism with one another following disturbance such as
fault and fault removal at various locations in the system.
This paper presents the study of transient stability analysis
and also the transient stability analysis using ETAP. It shows
the different graph of voltage, current, power angle and speed
in the ETAP.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank to B.V.M Engineering College for
allowing the project work and procure the licensed package of
ETAP software and kind support during project work.
REFERENCES
[1] Ankit Jha, Lalthangliana Ralte, Ashwinee Kumar, Pinak Ranjan Pati
TRANSIENT STABILITY ANALYSIS USING EQUAL AREA
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Engineering National Institute of Technology Rourkela, 2008-09.
[2] Pranamita Basu, Aiswarya Harichandan, “POWER SYSTEM STABILITY
STUDIES USING MATLAB”, National Institute of Technology Rourkela-
769008, Orissa..
[3] P.K. Iyambo, R. Tzonova, “Transient Stability Analysis of the IEEE 14-
Bus Electrical Power System”, IEEE Conf. 2007.
[4] Liang Wang, Li Li, Shanshan Shi, Yiwei Zhang, Zongxiang Lu, Junliang
ZhangG. Eason, B. Noble, and I. N. “Stability and Security Assessment for an
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April 2008 Nanjing China 1563.
[5] Hadi Saadat, “Power System Analysis”, Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing
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[6] ETAP version 7.5.0.