Davide Fabozzi

Dynamic Simulation of Large-Scale Power Systems Using a Parallel Schur-Complement-Based Decomposition Method

Power system dynamic simulations are crucial for the operation of electric power systems as they provide important information on the dynamic evolution of the system after an occurring disturbance. This paper proposes a robust, accurate and efficient parallel algorithm based on the Schur complement domain decomposition method. The algorithm provides numerical and computational acceleration of the procedure. Based on the shared-memory parallel programming model, a parallel implementation of the proposed algorithm is presented. The implementation is general, portable and scalable on inexpensive, shared-memory, multi-core machines. Two realistic test systems, a medium-scale and a large-scale, are used for performance evaluation of the proposed method.

Accelerated and Localized Newton Schemes for Faster Dynamic Simulation of Large Power Systems

This paper proposes two methods to speed up the demanding time-domain simulations of large power system models. First, the sparse linear system to solve at each Newton iteration is decomposed according to its bordered block diagonal structure in order to solve only those parts that need to be solved and update only submatrices of the Jacobian that need to be updated. This brings computational savings without degradation of accuracy. Next, the Jacobian structure is further exploited to localize the system response, i.e., involve only the components identified as active, with an acceptable and controllable decrease in accuracy. The accuracy and computational savings are assessed on a large-scale test system.

Simplified time-domain simulation of detailed long-term dynamic models

Time-domain simulation of power system long-term dynamics involves the solution of large sparse systems of nonlinear stiff differential-algebraic equations. Simulation tools have traditionally focused on the accuracy of the solution and, in spite of many algorithmic improvements, time simulations still require a significant computational effort. In some applications, however, it is sufficient to have an approximate system response of the detailed model. The paper revisits the merits of the Backward Euler method and proposes a strategy to control its step size, with the objective of filtering out fast stable oscillations and focusing on the aperiodic behaviour of the system. The proposed method is compared to detailed simulation as well as to the quasi-steady-state approximation. Illustrative examples are given on a small but representative system, subject to long-term voltage instability.

Localization and latency concepts applied to time simulation of large power systems

This paper reports on investigations to speed up time-domain simulations of large electric power systems. First, a decomposed scheme is considered which exploits the bordered block diagonal structure of the original Jacobian involved in the Newton iterations, and keeps the resulting “local” Jacobians constant over multiple iterations. Next, a localization technique is considered, allowing to perform less iterations on the system components with lower activity. Finally, a third scheme consists of visiting only a subset of components, identified as active, and skipping the other ones, identified as latent. The first two techniques solve the whole set of equations with the required accuracy, while the third one involves an adjustable degree of approximation. The methods are illustrated on a small system, while preliminary checks of computational savings from a large test system are reported. Additional results deal with the application of the localization and latency techniques to simplified simulation of the detailed model.

On Angle References in Long-Term Time-Domain Simulations

In power system dynamic models, the complex network equations and the various phasors are projected onto reference axes. After a short critical review of commonly chosen reference axes, this letter proposes to use the center-of-inertia at the previous integration time step. This approach is shown to combine the advantages of the center-of-inertia with a sparser Jacobian structure and an easier handling of network splits.

Security assessment by multiple transmission system operators exchanging sensitivity and tie-line power flow information

This paper considers a procedure for multi-area static security assessment of large interconnected power systems operated by a team of Transmission System Operators (TSOs). In this procedure, each TSO provides the other TSOs with his own equivalent model as well as the detailed effects of contingencies in his control area on all tie-line flows. The paper deals with the implementation of sensitivity-based equivalents suitable for static security assessment. Accuracy with respect to the unreduced model and computational efficiency are considered in evaluating the proposed approach. The relevance of the procedure in the context of recent UCTE operational security policy recommendations is also stressed. The procedure has been implemented in an AC power flow program and tested on a three-area variant of the IEEE 118-bus test system.

A Schur Complement Method for DAE Systems in Power System Dynamic Simulations

This paper proposes a Schur complement-based Domain Decomposition Method to accelerate the time-domain simulation of large, non-linear and stiff Differential and Algebraic Equation systems stemming from power system dynamic studies. The proposed algorithm employs a star-shaped decomposition scheme and exploits the locality and sparsity of the system. The simulation is accelerated by the use of quasi-Newton schemes and parallel programming techniques. The proposed algorithm is implemented using the shared-memory parallel programming model and tested on a large-scale, realistic power system model showing significant speedup.