EPRI's Distribution System Simulator supports GIC simulation.
Press Release Summary:
OpenDSS software is a comprehensive electrical power system simulation tool for electric utility industry, and supports nearly all frequency domain analyses commonly performed on electric utility power distribution systems. In joint effort with North American Electric Reliability Corporation and other utility participants, EPRI has improved capability of OpenDSS program to include simulation of geomagnetically induced currents in network transmission systems.
Original Press Release:
OpenDSS Program with Geomagnetically Induced Current (GIC) Simulation Capability - Media Brief
Overview
The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI) made its Distribution System Simulator (DSS) program available as an open source project (OpenDSS) on the SOURCEFORGE.NET® website in 2008. The OpenDSS software is a comprehensive electrical power system simulation tool for the electric utility industry, and supports nearly all frequency domain (sinusoidal steady-state) analyses commonly performed on electric utility power distribution systems.
In a joint effort with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and other utility participants, EPRI has improved the capability of the OpenDSS program to include the simulation of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) in network transmission systems. NERC helped to identify the need, and supported the development of this tool to calculate geomagnetically induced currents in the bulk power system.
The GIC simulation capability is now available in the current version of OpenDSS located on the SOURCEFORGE.NET® website.
Why it Matters
During geomagnetic disturbances (GMDs), magnetic field variations drive low frequency (quasi-dc) electric currents through transmission lines and transformer windings to ground. These geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) produce half-cycle saturation in transformers, leading to harmonic generation and increased reactive power demand. As part of assessing the impact of a GMD on the grid and potential mitigation strategies, it is necessary to determine the GIC produced by different levels of geomagnetic activity.
The OpenDSS software tool offers a comprehensive distribution simulation tool that can understand the complexities of a grid that continues to evolve and become more complex as smart grid technologies, distributed energy resources and advanced meting technologies are added to the system. It is a new paradigm for distribution system modeling and simulation which is expected to meet the needs of the evolving smart grid infrastructure. Since it is an open source program it will benefit from a variety of different development perspectives as it matures.
GIC Simulation Capability of OpenDSS
OpenDSS is capable of performing geomagnetically induced current (GIC) analysis of power systems. The N-phase modeling capability of OpenDSS is fully exploited, meaning that GIC analysis is not limited to three-phase systems. Additionally, the program's COM interface allows users to define circuit models, execute the functions of the program and implement algorithms that interact with the simulator under programmatic control. This allows users to dynamically change circuit parameters, modify input, and control OpenDSS through an external program such as MATLAB®, thus, enabling long-term (hours or days) analysis of GMDs.
History
EPRI's OpenDSS tool has been used for more than a decade in support of various research and consulting projects requiring distribution system analysis. Improvements, such as GIC simulation capability, have advanced the use of the program to include the analysis of bulk power systems. The OpenDSS software tool has been designed to be scalable so it can be modified to meet future needs.
Key Stakeholders
The new capability of the OpenDSS program should be of interest to a wide range of potential users involved in assessing the impact of GMDs on the grid and potential mitigation strategies.
To download the program, visit: http://sourceforge.net/projects/electricdss/
There is a Wiki containing supplementary documentation, the latest information, hints and tricks, etc. available at http://electricdss.wiki.sourceforge.net/
The OpenDSS software is provided with a BSD license. This makes the software readily available to the widest possible audience with few restrictions.
The technical contact at EPRI for the OpenDSS software program is Roger C. Dugan, rdugan@epri.com, or via phone at 865.218.8074.
About EPRI
The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI, www.epri.com) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI's members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to 40 countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto, Calif.;
Contact:
Don Kintner
EPRI
Manager, Communications
dkintner@epri.com
704-595-2506
