Publications

Design and operation of the electric power grid (EPG) relies heavily on computational models. High-fidelity, full-order models are used to study transient phenomena on only a small part of the network. Reduced-order dynamic and power flow models are used when analysis involving thousands of nodes are required due to the computational demands when simulating large numbers of nodes. The level of complexity of the future EPG will dramatically increase due to large-scale deployment of variable renewable generation, active load and distributed generation resources, adaptive protection and control systems, and price-responsive demand. High-fidelity modeling of this future grid will require significant advances in coupled, multi-scale tools and their use on high performance computing (HPC) platforms. This LDRD report demonstrates SNL's capability to apply HPC resources to these 3 tasks: (1) High-fidelity, large-scale modeling of power system dynamics; (2) Statistical assessment of grid security via Monte-Carlo simulations of cyber attacks; and (3) Development of models to predict variability of solar resources at locations where little or no ground-based measurements are available.

Traditional grid models for large-scale simulations assume linear and quasi-static behavior allowing very simple models of the systems. In this paper, a scalable electric circuit simulation capability is presented that can capture a significantly higher degree of fidelity including transient dynamic behavior of the grid as well as allowing scaling to a regional and national level grid. A test case presented uses simple models, e.g. generators, transformers, transmission lines, and loads, but with the scalability feature it can be extended to include more advanced non-linear detailed models. The use of this scalable electric circuit simulator will provide the ability to conduct large-scale transient stability analysis as well as grid level planning as the grid evolves with greater degrees of penetration of renewables, power electronics, storage, distributed generation, and micro-grids. © 2011 AACC American Automatic Control Council.