Computer Applications in Power System

Course Code: PCE 5307

Chapter-1
By
Dr. AJAY KUMAR
School of Electrical Engineering and Computing

1
Outline
 Computers in Power Systems
 Computer Tasks
 Automatic Generation Control
 Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition (SCADA)
 Generation Scheduling
 Optimal Power Flow
 Transmission System Development
 Interactive Power System Analysis
2
 Computers in Power Systems:
 In the early years, the development of large
digital computers paved the way for novel
developments in power system analysis.

 The mismatch between the size of the problems

to be analysed and the limited capability of the
computer technology encouraged research to
improve algorithmic efficiency.

 It is possible to maintain more reliable and

economic supply of electrical energy with full
control of the system frequency and voltage
levels.
3
While applying computers for the solution of power
system problems, steps to be followed are:
(a) Defining the problem and objectives of the study.
(b) Assessment of available data and preparation of the
input data in proper format.
(c) Development of suitable mathematical model to
represent various components and power system.
(d) Selection of suitable technique to solve mathematical
equations. The choice of a method depends upon
computation time involved, accuracy of the method,
reliability and convergence characteristics of the
method.
(e) Development of the algorithm for the solutions of the
equations.
(f) The last step involves actual development of
computer program in a high level language like
FORTRAN, C++, MATLAB.
4
 Computer Tasks
 The basic power system functions involve
many computer studies requiring processing
power capabilities in millions of instructions per
second (MIPS).
 The most demanding aspects are the network
solutions, and the specific task of electrical power
system analysis.
 The main computer tasks involved in the
management of electrical energy systems are as
follows.
 Automatic generation control (AGC).
 Supervisory control and data acquisition
(SCADA). 5
 • Generation scheduling.
• Network analysis.
Automatic generation control (AGC):
During normal operation, the following four tasks can be
identified with the purpose of AGC:
 Matching of system generation and system load.
 Reducing the system frequency deviations to zero.
 Distributing the total system generation among the various
control areas to comply with the scheduled tie flows.
 Distributing the individual area generation among its
generating sources so as to minimise operating costs.
The first task is met by governor speed control. The second and
third tasks are associated with load frequency control and the
last one with the economic dispatch function of AGC.
These requirements are met with computer of the order of
0.1 MIPS. 6
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition(SCADA)
The modern utility control system relies heavily on the
operator control of remote plant. In this task the operator
relies on SCADA for the following tasks:
 Data acquisition
 Information display
 Supervisory control
 Alarm processing
 Information storage and reports
 Sequence of events acquisition
 Data calculations
 Remote terminal unit processing
 Typical computer processing requirements of SCADA
systems are 1to 2 MIPS. 7
Generation Scheduling
 The economic effect of operations scheduling is
very important when fuel is a major component of
the cost.
The generation scheduling problem is to determine
 which generating units should be committed and
available for generation,
 the unit’s nominal generation or dispatch and
 in some cases even the type of fuel to use.

 Thetime span for scheduling studies depends on a

number of factors.
8
 Large steam turbines take several hours to start
up and bring on-line; moreover they have costs
associated with up- and down-time constraints
and start-ups.
 Hydro scheduling also involves long time
frames due to the large capacity of the
reservoirs.
 However, many hydro and pump storage
reservoirs have daily or weekly cycles.
 Computer requirements for generation
scheduling will normally be within 2 MIPS

9
Network Analysis
 The primary subject of power system analysis is
the load-flow or power flow problem which forms
the basis for so many modern power system aids
such as state estimation, unit commitment, security
assessment and optimal system operation.
 It is also needed to determine the state of the
network prior to other basic studies like fault
analysis and stability.
 Typical computer requirements for network analysis
will be of the order of 5 MIPS.
 Network analysis can be done by applying
Newton-Raphson Method, and
Trapezoidal method
 Network analysis is useful for Security Assessment
and Optimal Power Flow .
10
Optimal Power Flow
 The objective of an optimal power flow (OPF) is to
determine the “best” way to instantaneously operate a
power system.
 The computational need becomes even more critical
when it is realised that contingency-constrained
optimal power flow (OPF) usually needs to iterate
with contingency analysis.
 The ultimate goal is to have the security-
constrained scheduling calculation initiated,
completed and dispatched to the power system
entirely automatically without human intervention.
 Equality constraints are
Power balance at each node - power flow equations
 Inequality constraints are
Network operating limits (line flows, voltages) and
Limits on control variables.
11
 TRANSMISSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
 The basic algorithms developed by power system analysts
are built around conventional power Transmission plant
with linear characteristics.
 However, the advances made in power electronic control,
the longer transmission distances and the justification
for more interconnections have resulted in more
sophisticated means of active and reactive power control
and the use of HVDC transmission.
 Although the number of HVDC schemes in existence is
still relatively low, most of the world’s large power systems
already have or plan to have such links.
 The integration of HVDC transmission with conventional
a.c. load-flow and stability models has been given sufficient
coverage in recent years and is now well understood.

12
INTERACTIVE POWER SYSTEM ANALYSIS
 Recently, the main development in power system
analysis has been the change of emphasis from
mainframe-based to interactive analysis software.
 Until IBM introduced the PC/AT in 1984, it was out of
the question to use a personal computer (PC) to
perform power system analyses.
 By combining the 32-bit architecture with Intel 80286
processor, the storage capability and speed of hard disks
have been improved and this made it possible for power
system analysts to perform most of their studies on
the PC.
 Nowadays, FORTRAN compilers have become available
which are capable of handling the memory and code
requirements of most existing power system programs.
13
 Recent advances in graphic cards in terms of speed,
resolution, colour, reduced costs and improved
reliability have enhanced the interactive capabilities
and made the designer’s task more effective and
attractive.
 Early software packages were restricted to basic
load-flow, faults and stability studies.
 But the recent packages include more advanced
programs and specialised features such as
electromagnetic transients and harmonic
propagation.

14
15