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EPRI Updates Reference Book for Power Systems Operators
NERC Uses It as Reference Guide for Operator Training and Certification
PALO ALTO, Calif. - (April 26, 2010) – The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has
updated its reference book for power system operators, “EPRI Power System Dynamics
Tutorial,” and is now making the electronic version of this tutorial available.
This tutorial reference book is now being used as one of the official reference books for power
system operator training and certification at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation
(NERC).
“Several generations of transmission control room operators in the power system community
have benefited from earlier editions of this reference source,” said Arshad Mansoor, vice
president for Power Delivery and Utilization at EPRI. “For more than 20 years, this tutorial has
provided a comprehensive overview of the expertise that operators need in understanding
power system dynamics. By offering this book, EPRI's goal is to give even more system
operators the chance to acquire the necessary knowledge to use critical judgment in emergency
situations that fall outside the scope of step-by-step utility procedures.”
In the updated book, a new section has been added to introduce the basic concepts of Wide
Area Measurement System (WAMS) and Wide Area Control System (WACS). This edition has
been expanded to explain the causes of wide area power outages and puts the emphasis on
power system restoration, methods used and lessons learned for restoring power on the North
American power systems. Use of the tutorial increases operator proficiency, while supporting
economic and reliable power system operation.
“NERC uses the EPRI tutorial reference book for our certification examinations,” said John
Theotonio, manager of personnel certification at NERC. “It is used to validate and create exam
questions. Our subject matter experts rely on several books and each book is listed in a
reference document for system operators to study in preparation of sitting for one of four
different exams.”
The EPRI Light Blue Book is one of a series of industry reference books developed and
published by EPRI. These comprehensive reference books — each with a distinctive colored
cover— document and distill the knowledge and experience of the world’s top power delivery
experts. As utilities cope with issues related to aging workforces and the loss of expertise, these
industry-standard references preserve institutional knowledge while presenting the latest
advances in technology, tools, and practices.
The reference book can be downloaded from the EPRI web site at:
http://my.epri.com/portal/server.pt?Abstract_id=000000000001016042
About the Electric Power Research Institute
The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI, www.epri.com) conducts research and
development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the
public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers
as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity,
including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI's members represent
more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and
international participation extends to 40 countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are
located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.
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