Electronic and Computer Engineering

School of Engineering and Design

Assessed Coursework 2008/9

MSc Course: Sustainable Electrical Power

Level: 5
Module Code: EE5523
Module Name: Sustainable Electrical Power Workshop

Laboratory Worksheet Code: 5523_5522_1

Title of Laboratory Worksheet:
Optimal Power Flow Analysis & Loss Minimisation using PowerWorld
Set By: Dr Gary Taylor
Checked By: Dr Gary Taylor
Contribution to Module Mark: 6%
Total Expected Study Time: 6 hours

Distribution (to students) Date: 6th February 2009

Submission Deadline: FT 20 February & PT 27 February 2009

1. Background/Introduction

Optimal Power Flow (OPF) analysis software is now widely deployed in order to optimise
the operation of electrical power systems. PowerWorld is a widely used commercial
software package with a state-of-the-art Graphical User Interface (GUI). PowerWorld
enables the user to perform OPF studies for a range of power system problems including
economic dispatch and loss minimisation.

2. Learning Outcomes

After completing this practical work you will

• Know how to perform detailed OPF & loss minimisation analysis

using PowerWorld

• Be able to execute and analyse simple Economic Dispatch (ED)

and loss minimisation case studies in PowerWorld

• Be familiar with the OPF, ED and loss minimisation functionality

of PowerWorld
3. Tasks / Questions

It is important to note that you are required to prepare a detailed laboratory report for
this assignment. Your report should include detailed descriptions of all the main tasks
performed, results obtained, conclusions and relevant screen captures when possible.
To copy the window or screen contents

To make a copy of the active window, press ALT+PRINT SCREEN.

To copy the entire screen as it appears on your monitor, press PRINT SCREEN.

Note

To paste the image into a document, click the Edit menu in the document
window, and then click Paste.
Step 1

In this laboratory exercise you will be using an educational version of the PowerWorld
Simulator (PW Simulator). In order to run the software you can click
start / All Programs / PowerWorld / Simulator

In order to perform an OPF study on a power system the user is required to provide the
software with a model of the power system with appropriate data. With PW simulator the
user can either build a new model by creating a new case or the user can start from an
existing case. At this stage you should ensure that the following folder is accessible on
your PC;
Example 11

In this laboratory exercise you will start with an existing case (Example11_8, Chapter
11, Glover & Sharma). In order to open an existing case click
File / Open Case
You may select the case Example11_8, that can be found in the folder Chapter 11.
There are usually two files associated with a PW Simulator case; the binary file and the
.pwd file. Both files are normally required to open an existing case.
The following model should be displayed in the PW Simulator;
The power system that is displayed in the figure above is displayed as a one-line
diagram. This PS Simulator case study above uses a five-bus, three-generator case to
demonstrate the interaction between economic dispatch and the transmission network. It
is important to note that the above case includes network losses.

Step 2

What are the impedances of each line in the above case? What is the R/X ratio for each
line? What is the economic dispatch solution with a load scalar of 1.00?

Step 3

The current value of each generators loss sensitivity dPL/dPi is displayed immediately
below the MW output field of each generator. Using these values for each generator
verify using the calculation methods in the lectures that the solution is optimal.

Step 4
In addition to solving the power flow equations PowerWorld can also solve the economic
dispatch problem and calculate the losses.
This option is controlled by selecting Case Information, Areas
The AGC status field can be toggled to ED in order to select economic dispatch.

Use Simulation, Play

In order to see how changing the load impacts on the economic despatch and power flow
solutions click on the up/down arrows on the Load Scalar field.
Determine the MW losses for the maximum load that can be supplied without
overloading any transmission line with generators dispatched using economic despatch.

Step 5
With a load scalar of 1.0 resolve the above case systematically in order to determine the
generation dispatch that minimises the losses. Hint: Manually vary the generation at
buses 2 and 4 until their loss sensitivity values are zero.
Compare the operating cost between this solution and the original ED solution and
comment upon the different solutions.
Repeat the problem again with a load scalar of 1.2.

Include a discussion of the above power system in your report. Your discussion should
include details concerning OPF, ED and loss minimisation using PowerWorld.

4. Submission Process

SED PG TPO (Michael Sterling Building ML056)

5. Late Submission Penalty

Standard penalties will be applied.