Fault-Induced Delayed Voltage Recovery (FIDVR)

Fault-induced delayed voltage recovery (FIDVR) refers to unexpected delay in the recovery of voltage to its nominal value following the normal clearing of a fault. Initial observations of these delays by utilities in the western interconnection led to concerns that they might precipitate widespread cascading blackouts.

The FIDVR initiative sought to identify the physical mechanisms that caused the delay, assess the risks the delay and recovery posed to the reliability of the US power system, and, if appropriate, identify appropriate measures to manage these risks.

The initiative confirmed that stalled residential air conditioning (AC) units (powered by single-phase induction motors) were the cause of FIDVR. The initiative also confirmed that FIDVR events were common to utility distribution systems, but generally speaking did not pose a significant threat to the reliability of the bulk transmission system. The initiative is recognized as having contributed materially to renewed efforts by the power industry to better understand trends affecting the characteristics of loads, especially those involving power electronics, and their interactions with the power system.

Related Publications

"A Positive Sequence Model for Aggregated Representation Electric Vehicle Chargers." Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). 2023.
Francis Tuffner, John Undrill, Don Scoffield, Joseph H Eto, Dmitry Kosterev, and Ryan Quint. "Distribution-Level Impacts of Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging on the Transmission System during Fault Conditions." Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 2021.
Tenza, Nicholas W, and Scott Ghiocel. An Analysis of the Sensitivity of WECC Grid Planning Models to Assumptions Regarding the Composition of Loads. Final Report. Produced by Mitsubishi Electric Power Products (MEPPI) for the Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions (CERTS), 2016.
Robles, Steven. 2014 FIDVR Events Analysis on Valley Distribution Circuits. Prepared for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory by Southern California Edison, 2015.
Robles, Steven. Commercial 3-Phase Rooftop Air Conditioner Test Report. Prepared for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory by Southern California Edison, 2015.
James, Dan, and John D Kueck. Commercial Building Motor Protection Response Report. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 2015.
"Composite Load Modeling & System Studies.". 2015 Workshop on Fault-Induced Delayed Voltage Recovery (FIDVR) & Dynamic Load Modeling 2015.
"Current State of Load Modeling: Composite Load Model Development and Implementation.". 2015 Workshop on Fault-Induced Delayed Voltage Recovery (FIDVR) & Dynamic Load Modeling 2015.
Bravo, Richard J. "Distribution FIDVR Events Analysis." 2015 Seventh Annual IEEE Green Technologies Conference (GreenTech)2015 Seventh Annual IEEE Green Technologies Conference. New Orleans, LA, USA: IEEE, 2015. 1 - 8.
"Field Measurements.". 2015 Workshop on Fault-Induced Delayed Voltage Recovery (FIDVR) & Dynamic Load Modeling 2015.
"Fundamentals, Testing and Modeling of Air Conditioners.". 2015 Workshop on Fault-Induced Delayed Voltage Recovery (FIDVR) & Dynamic Load Modeling 2015.
"Load Model Data.". 2015 Workshop on Fault-Induced Delayed Voltage Recovery (FIDVR) & Dynamic Load Modeling 2015.
"Manufacturing Perspective, Future Trends & Technologies.". 2015 Workshop on Fault-Induced Delayed Voltage Recovery (FIDVR) & Dynamic Load Modeling 2015.
"Reliability Focus.". 2015 Workshop on Fault-Induced Delayed Voltage Recovery (FIDVR) & Dynamic Load Modeling 2015.
Robles, Steven. Residential Air Conditioner with VFD Test Report. Prepared for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory by Southern California Edison, 2015.
Bravo, Richard J, Chase Sun, and Thomas Bialek. "Voltage Ride-Through (VRT) Recommendations for Distributed Electronic-Coupled Generation." 2015 Seventh Annual IEEE Green Technologies Conference (GreenTech)2015 Seventh Annual IEEE Green Technologies Conference. New Orleans, LA, USA: IEEE, 2015. 9 - 12.
Bravo, Richard J, Robert J Yinger, and Patricia Arons. "Fault Induced Delayed Voltage Recovery (FIDVR) indicators." 2014 IEEE/PES Transmission & Distribution Conference & Exposition (T&D)2014 IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exposition. Chicago, IL, USA: IEEE, 2014. 1 - 5.
Kueck, John D, Dmitry Kosterev, John Undrill, and Joseph H Eto. "Voltage sag and recovery influence for modeling motor loads." 2014 IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) Transmission & Distribution Conference & Exposition. Chicago, IL, USA: IEEE, 2014. 1 - 5. LBNL-1005174.
Bravo, Richard J, and Steven Robles. 2012 FIDVR Events Analysis: Valley Distribution Circuits. Southern California Edison, 2013.

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