PowerWorld Simulator version 11. Manual

Determines whether the switched shunt has a fixed value, or whether the amount of reactive power supplied by the

device changes either in discrete steps or continuously in order to maintain its terminal voltage within the voltage

range specified in the Voltage Regulation fields. This field can be changed (except in Viewer). However, for a

switched shunt to be used for automatic control, three fields must be set correctly:

The Control Mode field must be set to either Discrete or Continuous

The corresponding area's Auto Shunts property must be true, and

The case-wide Disable Switched Shunt Control option, which can be set on the Power Flow Solution Tab

of the PowerWorld Simulator Options Dialog, must not be checked.

Note: automatic control of switched shunts is disabled if the voltage regulation high value is not greater

than the low value; they should not be equal unless in the continuous mode.

Note the additional control mode called Bus Shunt (Fixed). This is analogous to the shunt MW and MVAR values

that can also be stored at the bus level. The difference is that bus shunts stored directly with the bus cannot be

turned on and off in the load flow; rather they are always included in the load flow solution. Bus shunts that are

represented as switched shunt objects on Bus Shunt control, however, are mathematically exactly the same and

can be turned on or off. The reason for the differentiation of the Bus Shunt versus normal Fixed control is that the

Bus Shunt control type is intended to identify the difference between a bus shunt and a transformer that MAY have

controllability, but is currently turned of off control by being set to a Fixed value.

Voltage Regulation

When the switched shunt is on automatic control, its reactive power is changed in discrete steps or continuously to

keep the voltage at the regulated bus within the per unit voltage range defined by High Value and the Low Value.

You may modify these values (except in Viewer). When operating in discrete control mode, the amount of reactive

power supplied by this device changes in discrete amounts, therefore the High Value should be greater than the low

value. The necessary voltage range depends upon the size of the switched shunt blocks. The Reg. Value field

shows the current per unit voltage at the regulated bus, while the Target Value is displaying the actual desired

voltage at the regulated bus. The number of the regulated bus is shown in the Reg. Bus # field.

Reg. Bus P.U. Voltage to Mvar Sensitivity

The number in this area is the amount that will be added to the per unit voltage for each 1 Mvar increase by the bus

controlling element.

Switched Shunt Blocks

The amount of shunt admittance is specified in the Switched Shunt Blocks table. The columns in this field

correspond to different blocks of admittance. The first row indicates the number of steps in each block, and the

second row gives the amount of nominal Mvars per step. The switched shunts are always switched in the order

specified in this field. Reactive blocks (negative shunt MVR) should be specified before capacitive blocks (positive

shunt MVR).

Control Options

Single Largest Step

This option only applies when a switched shunt is set on discrete control. If checked the switched shunt will switch

in EITHER all of the available reactor blocks OR all of the capacitor blocks at once when the voltage falls outside

the given range. Whether the reactor or capacitor blocks switch is determined by which limit is violated. A switched

shunt with this option checked will only switch ONCE during a load flow solution, and then remains fixed at the new

output for the remainder of the same solution calculation.

Use Continuous Element

If this option is checked, then Simulator will use a continuous element to fine-tune a discrete controlled switched

shunt by injecting or absorbing additional MVARs to try and obtain the target voltage of the controlled bus.

Minimum and Maximum Susceptance

The minimum and maximum susceptance range for the continuous correction element.

Fault Analysis Parameters

Typically switched shunts are treated as open circuits in the zero sequence data for fault analysis. However, it is

possible to define zero sequence admittance blocks to be used. The blocks work similarly to the load flow Switched

Shunt Blocks discussed above. Usually there will be the same number of blocks in the zero sequence data as in the

load flow data. Simulator will determine how many blocks were switched in for the power flow solution, and then use

the zero sequence block data to calculate the zero sequence admittance for the same number of steps and blocks.

Owners

This tab is used to display or change the generator’s owner information, area information, and zone information

Area Number, Area Name

308

Properties of Simulator Objects

The area number and name to which the generator belongs. Note that you can change the area of the generator to

be different than the area of the terminal bus. If you do so, you will be prompted to confirm that you wish to place

the generator within a different area than that of the bus to which it is electrically connected.

Zone Number, Zone Name

The zone number and name to which the generator belongs. Note that you can change the zone of the generator

to be different than the zone of the terminal bus. If you do so, you will be prompted to confirm that you wish to place

the generator within a different zone than that of the bus to which it is electrically connected.

Owner Number, Owner Name

The owner number and name to which the switched shunt belongs. Note that you can change the owner of the

switched shunt to be different than the owner of the terminal bus. If you do so, you will be prompted to confirm that

you wish to place the switched shunt within a different owner than that of the bus to which it is electrically

connected.

Substation Number, Substation Name

The substation number and name to which the switched shunt belongs. Note that you can change the substation of

the switched shunt to be different than the substation of the terminal bus. If you do so, you will be prompted to

confirm that you wish to place the switched shunt within a different substation than that of the bus to which it is

electrically connected.

309

Zone Properties

Zone Information (Run Mode)

This dialog is used in the Run Mode to view and modify information associated with a zone record. It displays different

information from the Edit Mode version of the zone dialog. To display it from Run Mode, first select Case Information,

Zones from the main menu to bring up the Zone Records Display. Right-click on the zone of interest and choose

Show Dialog. The Run Mode Zone Dialog has the following fields:

Zone Number, Zone Name

Number and name of the associated zone. Use either the combo box or the spin arrows to view the different zones.

Find…

If you do not know the exact zone number you are looking for, you can click this button to open the advanced

search engine.

Labels

To assign alternative identifying labels to the zone, click the Labels button.

The rest of the Run Mode Zone Dialog is divided into three pages of controls:

Information

Load and Generation

Real and reactive load, generation, shunts, losses, and interchange for the zone.

Generation AGC Range

These two fields show the total available MW reserve for generators in the zone that are on AGC and have nonzero

participation factors. In other words, these fields show the total MW by which the generation in the zone can be

increased or decreased using only generation that is presently on-line. The generator status, AGC status, and

participation factor can be changed on the Generator Records Display.

Load Variation Model

As with areas, the load variation within a zone is governed by a load variation schedule, which prescribes a time-

dependent load multiplier to apply to the zone's load.

Load Schedule

This dropdown box identifies the load schedule that is currently associated with the zone. Use the dropdown box to

specify the load schedule to apply to the zone from the list of defined load schedules. It is acceptable not to

associate a load schedule with a zone, in which case the value specified in the Schedule Value field is applied at

all times.

Schedule Value

This field shows the current load multiplier for the zone, which scales all loads in the zone. If no Load Schedule

has been assigned to the zone, this field will display a prefix of 'N'. If the associated load schedule is disabled, the

field will display a prefix of 'D'.

Tie Lines

Zone Tie Lines

The Zone Tie Line Table identifies the flows on all of the zone's ties to other zones.

OPF

Average LMP for Zone

The computed average locational marginal price of all buses contained in the zone.

LMP Standard Deviation

The standard deviation of the locational marginal price for all buses contained in the zone.

Minimum LMP

The minimum locational marginal price of all the buses in the zone.

Maximum LMP

The maximum locational marginal price of all the buses in the zone.

310

General Properties and Information

Labels

Power system equipment such as buses, generators, loads, switched shunts, areas, zones, and interfaces may have

alternative names assigned to them. These alternative names are called labels. Labels allow you to refer to

equipment in the power system model in a way that may be unique to your organization. Labels may thus help clarify

which elements are described by a particular set of data, especially when the short names employed by the power

system model prove cryptic. Furthermore, since labels are likely to change less frequently than bus numbers, and

since a label must, by definition, identify only one power system component, they may function as an immutable key

for importing data from auxiliary files into different cases, even when bus numbering schemes change between the

cases.

Information dialogs corresponding to buses, generators, loads, switched shunts, areas, zones, and interfaces feature a

button called Labels . If you press this button, the device’s Label Manager Dialog will appear. The Label Manager

Dialog lists the labels associated with the device. You can delete a label from the list by selecting it and pressing the

delete key on the keyboard. You may add a label to the device by typing its name in the textbox labeled New Label

and pressing the Add button. You will not be allowed to add a Label that already exists, regardless of whether the

existing label is associated with the current device or some other device. A single power system device may have

multiple labels, but each label may be associated with only one device.

You also may designate a particular label to be the primary label for the device by selecting it from the list and clicking

the Make Primary button. A device’s primary label is the one that can be displayed individually in a Case Information

Display. The other labels associated with a device can be used to import data from auxiliary data files, but they cannot

be viewed individually from Case Information Displays. However, all Case Information Displays can hold a field that

lists all labels assigned to a device as a semicolon-delimited string.

Labels can be used to map data from an auxiliary data file to a power system device. Recall that auxiliary data files

require you to include a device’s key fields in each data record so that data may be mapped to the device. Labels

provide an alternative key. Instead of supplying the bus number to identify a bus, for example, you can supply one of

the bus’s labels. The label will enable Simulator to associate the data with the device associated with that label. This

mechanism performs most efficiently when the primary label is used, but secondary labels will also provide the

mapping mechanism.

Again, it is important to remember this: a single power system device may have multiple labels, but each label may be

associated with only one device. This is the key to enabling data to be imported from an auxiliary file using labels.

312

Properties of Simulator Objects

Area Properties

Area Information

The Area Information Dialog shows information about each area in the system. It displays an area’s load, generation

and losses; the area’s scheduled interchange with other areas; options for controlling the area’s generators,

transformers, and shunts; the flows on its tie lines; and its operating cost information. You may view this dialog by

doing any of the following:

· Right-click in an empty portion of the oneline near a bus in the area of interest to display the oneline's local menu.

Select Area Information Dialog.

· Select Case Information, Areas from the main menu. This displays the Area Display. Right-click on the record

corresponding to the desired area to bring up the display’s local menu, and choose Show Dialog.

· Right-click on an Area/Zone Display Object that represents an area.

The Area Information Dialog contains the following information:

Number

A dropdown box that specifies the area number. Select an area from the dropdown box, or use the spin button to

cycle through the list.

Find By Number

To find an area by its number, type the number in the Number field and click this button.

Name

A dropdown box that specifies the area’s alphabetic identifier, which may be any length in Simulator. When saving

area names to other load flow formats, the names are truncated at the maximum character length supported by that

format.

Find By Name

To find an area by its name, type the name in the Name field and click this button.

Find…

If you do not know the exact area number or name you are looking for, you can click this button to open the

advanced search engine.

Super Area

To associate an area with a particular super area, either select an existing super area from the dropdown box, or

type the name of a new super area.

Area Control Options

Select to change the area’s method of Automatic Generation Control (AGC.)

Labels

To assign alternative identifying labels to the area, click the Labels button.

The rest of the Area Information Dialog is divided into nine pages of controls:

· Information/Interchange

· Options

· Tie Lines

· Simulation Summary

· Scheduled Power Transactions

· OPF

· Area Buses

· Area Gens

· Memo

313

Area Information: Info/Interchange

The Info/Interchange Tab serves as an accounting sheet for flows into and out of an area. It houses the following

controls:

Load, Generation, Shunts, Losses, Interchange

These read-only fields express the total real and reactive load, generation, shunt compensation, losses, and

interchange for the area.

Base Interchange by Area

Base scheduled interchange in MW between the area and all other areas (exporting pow er is positive). Base

Interchange is interchange for which detailed time-dependent schedules are not modeled. See Area Transactions

Modeling<+> for more information on the difference between Base Interchange and Scheduled Interchange.

Use the Base Interchange by Area Table to set the interchange between the area and all other areas. To

prescribe the interchange with a specific area, simply enter the amount of power in MW to export to that area in the

MW Export column. To specify an import, enter a negative value. If the recipient of the power is unknown, you may

enter the net total in the Unspecified MW Interchange field found above the list of base transac tions.

Check the box Only Show Areas with Nonzero Interchange to display only those areas whose interchange is

different from zero.

By default, one interchange record is initially defined between each area. The total interchange between two areas

can be managed using this single record. However, it is now possible to define multiple base interchange records

between the same areas. To do so, you can right-click in the base interchange table and select Insert from the local

menu. This will open the Transaction Dialog, which will allow you to insert a new transaction. Transactions

between the same two areas must have unique transaction ID’s. Once you have multiple transactions defined

between the same two areas, you can choose which transactions are enabled using the Enabled property in the

Base Interchange table. This field is a toggleable field, meaning you can double-click in the field to toggle its value.

To save the changes you make to this table, be sure to click Save Changes or OK. To sort the entries in any

column in the Base Interchange Table, simply left- or right-click on the column title.

The total Base interchange defined for an area will be displayed in the summary field labeled Base in the lower left

corner of the page.

Scheduled

Current scheduled interchange in MW between the area and all other areas, with power exports represented as

positive. In pure power flow studies, Base Transactions are normally used instead of Scheduled Transactions,

because pure power flow studies usually do not require time or cost information. For a discussion of modeling area

transactions covering how to set up scheduled transactions and the difference between this field and base

interchange, see Area Transactions Modeling.

ACE (Area Control Error)

Current area control error (ACE) for the area in MW. Note that, when the constant frequency model is used, ACE =

area generation - area load - area losses - scheduled area interchange.

Tolerance

The MW tolerance is used in enforcing area interchange. When the absolute value of the ACE is less than this

value, Simulator considers the area interchange constraint to be satisfied.

314

Properties of Simulator Objects

Area Information: Options

Report Limit Violations

If checked, limit violations for this area are reported. Limits violations are reported in the Limit Violations List.

Generation AGC Values

These fields indicate the total available AGC range for all the generators in the zone that are specified as being

on AGC and have nonzero participation factors. That is, these fields show the total amount the generation in the

area or zone that can be increased or decreased using the presently on-line generation. This may be referred to as

the spinning reserve. The generator status, AGC status, and participation factor can be changed on the Generator

Records Display.

Load Schedule

Use this dropdown box to specify the load schedule to use for the area. The load schedule prescribes how the load

in the area should vary with time.

Load MW Multiplier Value

This value is used for scaling the area MW load. The base load remains unchanged.

Load MVAR Multiplier

This value is used for scaling the area MVAR load. The base load remains unchanged.

Area Slack Bus Number

Identifies which bus to model as the area’s slack bus.

Automatic Control Options

The Automatic Control Options section provides a convenient mechanism to enable or disable automatic control of

switched shunts and transformers in the area.

Generator MW Limits

Indicates whether or not generator MW limits should be enforced for the area.

Include Loss Penalty Factors in ED

If this box is unchecked, then the economic dispatch for the area is calculated assuming that the area is lossless.

Otherwise, the solution will incorporate losses when computing the economic dispatch. The penalty factors gauge

the sensitivity of the area’s losses to changing injection at specific generators. The option to calculate loss penalty

factors is relevant only when the area operates according to Economic Dispatch Control . Usually, if the system’s

cost curves are relatively flat, the inclusion of losses in the solution will not have much of an effect on the dispatch.

Economic Dispatch Lambda

The lambda value calculated during the economic dispatch computation. This field is valid only when the area is on

economic dispatch control.

Wheeling Charge

The transmission price charged by the area for wheeling power between two other areas as part of a transaction.

Set Participation Factors

Press this button to open the Generator Participation Factors Dialog, which gives you control over how the

participation factor for each generating unit is defined. If you decide not to prescribe participation factors using this

button, Simulator w ill assign participation factors in proportion to the maximum MW rating of each unit. This button

will be enabled only if the area has been set to Participation Factor area control.

315

Properties of Simulator Objects

Area Information: Simulation Summary

Earlier versions of Simulator employed a distinction between Simulation and Study applications. In Study mode,

system economics are essentially ignored. This mode was used to perform pure power flow studies for which

economics were not a concern. The Simulation mode was commonly applied to timed simulations where area costs

were a primary concern. In terms of the user interface, the only difference between the two modes involved which of

the two varieties of Area Information Dialog were presented to the user. As of Simulator 6.0, the application no longer

enforces this dichotomy between Study and Simulation modes. To maintain compatibility with earlier versions,

however, the Simulation Summary tab has been provided to house the contents of the Simulation-mode Area

Information Dialog.

Total Area Cost

Total area cost in $ from the start of the simulation to the current time.

Hourly Cost

Current average hourly cost for the area in $/hour. Select the Graph Button to the right of this field to display the

Hourly Cost Chart for this area.

Lambda

Current incremental cost for the area in $/MWH. This field is only valid if the area is on Economic Dispatch AGC.

Load

Present area load in MW. Select the Graph Button to the right of this field to display the Load and Generation

Chart for this area.

Generation

Current generation for the area in MW. Select the Graph button to the right of this field to display the Load and

Generation Chart for this area.

Losses

Current real power losses in MW for the area. Select the Graph Button to the right of this field to display the Area

Losses Chart for this area.

Sched. Interchange

Current scheduled interchange in MW between the area and all other areas (selling power is positive) beyond the

base value. Select the Graph Button to the right of this field to display the Area MW Transactions Chart for this

area. For a discussion of modeling area transactions, including how to set up scheduled transactions and the

difference between this field and base interchange, see Area Transactions Modeling.

Area Control Error

Current area control error (ACE) for the area in MW. When the constant frequency model is used, ACE = area

generation - area load - area losses - scheduled area interchange. Select the Graph Button to the right of this field

to display the ACE Chart for this area.

Inadvertent

The inadvertent interchange keeps track of how much energy in MWH beyond its requirements the area has

produced. The inadvertent error increases anytime the ACE is positive (indicating the area is producing too much

power), while it decreases anytime the ACE is negative.

Unserved Load

Current amount of area load that is not being served. To account for the economic costs associated with this

unserved load, the area hourly cost is increased by a value equal to the amount of unserved load times the case-

wide cost for unserved load (expressed in $/MWH), which is specified on the Simulation Tab of the PowerWorld

Simulator Options Dialog.

Base Interchange

Base interchange in MW between the area and all other areas, with exports represented as positive. Base

interchange represents real power transactions for which detailed time-dependent schedules and cost information

are not modeled. See Area Transactions Modeling for more information on the difference between Study

Transactions and Scheduled Transactions.

317

Properties of Simulator Objects

Area Information: OPF

The OPF Tab contains information regarding the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) solution data for an area. It houses the

following information:

Average LMP for Area

The computed average locational marginal price of all buses contained in the area.

LMP Standard Deviation

The standard deviation of the locational marginal price for all buses contained in the area.

Min/Max LMP

The minimum and maximum locational marginal price of all the buses in the area.

Total Generator Production Cost (Scaled)

The scaled cost includes the Cost Shift and Cost Multiplier. These two values can be defined for each generator,

and allow the user a way to assess changes to the LMP results when a generators cost or "bid" is modified, without

actually changing the original generator cost or bid curve. The scaled cost function for each generator is equal to:

(original cost function + cost shift) * cost multiplier

Total Generator Unscaled Production Cos t

The total unscaled generator production cost, based on the original generator cost or bid curves.

Total Generator LMP Profit

The profit of the generators in the area based on the Locational Marginal Prices (LMPs) determined by the OPF

solution. The profit is determined as:

LMP Price * MW Output - Unscaled Cost Function

Cost of Energy Reference

Specify a reference for determining the cost of energy. The choices are Cost of Increasing Export, Weighted-

Average of Area’s Bus Loads, or Weighted-Average of Injection Group.

Cost of Losses Reference

Specify a reference for determining the cost of losses. The choices are Existing Loss Sensitivities Directly, Area’s

Bus Loads, Injection Group, or a Specific Bus.

319

Properties of Simulator Objects

Area Field Options

Area field objects are used to show different values associated with areas and the system. This dialog is used to view

and modify the parameters associated with these fields. Note that the area number itself cannot be changed on this

dialog.

Area Number

Area number associated with the field. When you insert fields graphically, this field is automatically set to the area

number associated with the c losest bus on the oneline. With most types of area fields, an Area Number of 0 is valid

and defines the field as showing values for the entire system.

Find…

If you do not know the exact bus number or name you are looking for, you can click this button to open the

advanced search engine.

Total Digits in Fields

Total number of digits to show in the field.

Digits to Right of Decimal

Number of digits to show to the right of the decimal point.

Rotation Angle in Degrees

The angle at which the text is to appear on the oneline diagram.

Other Area Number

Some of the fields, such as MW Flow to Other Area, require that a second area be specified. If applicable, enter

the second (other) area here.

Other Area Transaction ID

Since it is now possible to have more than one base transaction defined between the same two areas, base

transactions must now also have a unique ID to distinguish between transactions among the same two areas. If

you are displaying a field that pertains to the display of the scheduled flow between areas, the ID of the transaction

in question will also need to be entered here.

Delta MW per Mouse Click

This value is used only with the Sched Flow to Other Area field type. When there is a nonzero entry in this field,

and the field type is Sched Flow to Other Area, a spin button is shown to the right of the area field. When the up

spin button is clicked, the flow to the other area is increased by this number of MW; when the down button is

clicked, the scheduled flow is decreased by this amount.

Field Value

Shows the current output for the area field. Whenever you change the Type of Field selection, this field is updated.

For the Sched Flow to Other Area field type only, you can specify a new value in MW. Exports are assumed to be

positive.

Field Prefix

A prefix that can be specified and displayed with the selected value.

Include Suffix

If the Include Suffix checkbox is checked, the corresponding field units will be displayed after the current value.

Otherwise, only the value without units will be shown.

Type of Field

Used to determine the type of area field to show. The following choices are available:

Name

Area name (eight characters maximum). The Area Number field must correspond to a valid area.

Number

Area number (1 - 999). The Area Number field must correspond to a valid area.

MW Load, Mvar Load

If the area number is nonzero, then these fields show Total MW or Mvar load for the area. If the area number is

zero, these fields show the total load in the entire system.

MW Generation, Mvar Generation

321

If the Area Number is nonzero, then these fields show Total MW or Mvar generation for the area. If the Area

Number is zero, these fields show the total generation in the entire system.

MW Losses, Mvar Losses

If the Area Number is nonzero, then these fields show Total MW or Mvar losses for the area. If the Area Number is

zero, these fields show the total losses in the entire system.

ACE (MW)

Area Control Error in MW for the area. The Area Number field must correspond to a valid area.

Hourly Cost ($/hr)

If the Area Number is nonzero, then this field shows the hourly cost for the area. If the Area Number is zero, these

fields show the hourly cost for the entire system.

Total Cost ($)

If the Area Number is nonzero, this field shows the total cost incurred by the area since the beginning of the

simulation. If the Area Number is zero, this field shows the total cost incurred throughout the system since the

beginning of the simulation.

MW Flow to Other Area, Mvar Flow to Other Area

Total MW or Mvar flow from the area specified in the Area Number field to the area specified in the Other Area

Number field. The Area Number field must correspond to a valid area. If the Other Area Number field is zero, this

field shows the area’s total MW or Mvar exports.

Sched. Flow to Other Area

Scheduled MW transaction from the area specified in the Area Number field to the area specified in the Other Area

Number field, and with the Transaction ID given in the Other Area Transaction ID field. The Area Number field must

correspond to a valid area. If the Other Area Number field is zero, this field shows the area’s total scheduled MW

transactions. If the Delta per Mouse Click value is nonzero, you can use the spin arrows on the oneline to change

this value. A lso, you may directly enter a new value in the Field Value field.

Select OK to save changes and close the dialog or Cancel to close dialog without saving your changes.

Load Schedule Multiplier

Indicates the current value of the multiplier applied to the zone’s loads. See Load Variation Dialog for more detail.

AGC Status

Displays the AGC status of the area.

Select a Field

Choose from all possible information fields that can be displayed for areas.

322

Properties of Simulator Objects

Super Area Properties

Super Area Information Dialog

The Super Area Information Dialog displays information pertaining to Super Area Display. It summarizes the super

area's real and reactive load and generation, scheduled transactions, and constituent areas. It also allows you to

manage the list of areas to include in the super area and to designate how its generation should be controlled. To

display the Super Area Information Dialog, right-click on the Super Area Records Display and select Show Dialog

from the resulting local menu.

The Super Area Information Dialog has the following fields:

Area in Super Area

Name

The list of all super areas that have been defined in the case are listed in this dropdown box. Select one of the

super areas to display its information, or type a new name in the box and click Add New to define the new super

area.

Rename

Click this button to change the name of the super area specified in the Name field.

Delete

Click this button to delete the super area specified in the Name field.

Areas in Super Area

Lists the areas contained in the super area. Right-click on a row and select Remove to remove the area from the

super area.

Super Area Control Options

Specify the type of generation control to employ for the s uper area. The super area may be removed from area

control or employ Participation Factor or Economic Dispatch control. See Area Control for details on these types of

generation control.

An additional type of control available to Super Areas is to Use Area Participation Factors. If the super area is set

to participation factor control, and this option is NOT checked, then the generators within the super area respond by

redispatching to meet the entire super area generation change based on their own participation factors.

However, if this option IS checked, then an additional level of participation control complexity is added for the super

area. First, the total super area generation change is divided across each area forming the super area, according to

the participation factors of the AREAS, as set in the grid on this dialog. Once the total generation change has been

determined for each area within the super area, then the generators within each individual area are dispatched

using area participation factor control to meet each specific area's determined generation change.

New Area Name

Use the dropdown box to select an area to add to the super area. Click the Add New Area by Name to add the

selected area to the super area.

New Area #'s

Enter in a list of area numbers separated with dashes or commas and click Add New Areas by Number button to

add the areas to the Super Area

Summary Information

Total Scheduled Transactions

Lists the total scheduled import or export for the super area. It is computed by summing the scheduled interchange

for all areas comprising the super area. Exports are positive.

Total ACE

The total area control error for the super area. It is calculated by summing the ACE for all areas comprising the

super area.

Lambda

The marginal cost associated with the super area. Lambda is valid only for super areas that are on economic

dispatch control.

Tolerance

The Area Control Error tolerance observed f or the super area during a load flow solution.

323

Load, Generation, Shunts, Losses, Interchange

The Load and Generation section of the Super Area Information Dialog accounts for the real and reactive power

flows into, out of, and within the super area. Each quantity is computed by summing over the areas comprising the

super area.

Hourly Cost

Current average hourly cost for the super area in $/hour.

OPF

The OPF Tab contains information regarding the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) solution data for a super area. It houses

the following information:

Average LMP for Area

The computed average locational marginal price of all buses contained in the area.

LMP Standard Deviation

The standard deviation of the locational marginal price for all buses contained in the area.

Min/Max LMP

The minimum and maximum locational marginal price of all the buses in the area.

Total Generator Production Cost (Scaled)

The scaled cost includes the Cost Shift and Cost Multiplier. These two values can be defined for each generator,

and allow the user a way to assess changes to the LMP results when a generators cost or "bid" is modified, without

actually changing the original generator cost or bid curve. The scaled cost function for each generator is equal to:

(original cost function + cost s hift) * cost multiplier

Total Generator Unscaled Production Cost

The total unscaled generator production cost, based on the original generator cost or bid curves.

Total Generator LMP Profit

The profit of the generators in the area based on the Locational Marginal Prices (LMPs) determined by the OPF

solution. The profit is determined as:

LMP Price * MW Output - Unscaled Cost Function

Cost of Energy Reference

Specify a reference for determining the cost of energy. The choices are Cost of Increasing Export, Weighted-

Average of Area’s Bus Loads, or Weighted-Average of Injection Group.

Cost of Losses Reference

Specify a reference for determining the cost of losses. The choices are Existing Loss Sensitivities Directly, Area’s

Bus Loads, Injection Group, or a Specific Bus.

324

Properties of Simulator Objects

Super Area Field Information

Super area field objects are used to show different values associated with super areas. This dialog is used to view

and modify the parameters associated with these fields. Note that the super area name itself cannot be changed on

this dialog.

Super Area Name

Select the name of the super area for which you are inserting or viewing information of a super area field.

Find…

If you do not know the exact super area name you are looking for, you can click this button to open the advanced

search engine.

Total Digits in Field

Total number of digits to show in the field.

Digits to Right of Decimal

Number of digits to show to the right of the decimal point.

Field Value

Shows the current output for the super area field. Whenever you change the Type of Field selection, this field is

updated.

Field Prefix

A prefix that can be specified and displayed with the selected value.

Rotation Angle in Degrees

The angle at which the text will appear on the diagram.

Include Suffix

If the Include Suffix checkbox is checked, the corresponding field units will be displayed after the current value.

Otherwise, only the value without units will be shown.

Type of Field

Used to determine the type of super area field to show. The following choices are available:

Name

Super area name (eight characters maximum). The super area name field must correspond to a valid super area.

MW Load, Mvar Load

Total MW or Mvar load for the super area.

MW Generation, Mvar Generation

Total MW or Mvar generation for the super area.

MW Losses, Mvar Losses

Total MW or Mvar losses for the super area.

ACE (MW)

Area Control Error in MW for the super area. The super area name field must correspond to a valid super area.

MW Exports

Total MW exports for the super area.

Hourly Cost ($/hr)

The hourly cost for the super area.

AGC Status

Displays the AGC status of the super area.

MW Marginal Cost ($ / MWhr)

MW marginal cost for the super area.

325

Load Variation Properties

Load Variation Dialog

The Load Variation Dialog allows you to define and to modify load variation profiles. These profiles can then be

assigned to specific areas or zones using either the Options tab of the Area Information Dialog or Zone Information

Dialog or the corresponding case information display.

Load profiles, or schedules, are piecewise linear prescriptions of how the load multiplier of any area or zone

associated with the profile should vary over time. Per the Load Modeling discussion, all loads are subject both to a

case load multiplier and to the load multiplier of their corresponding area or zone. The Load Variation Dialog provides

control over both these parameters.

The Case Load Multiplier entry allows you to specify the load multiplier to apply to all loads in the case. The nominal

value of this parameter is 1.0. Please see Load Modeling for further details.

The next section of the dialog, entitled Schedule , enables you to define the load variation. The Name dropdown box

lists all the load variations that have been defined thus far. If you are creating a new load variation, simply ignore the

Name box; you will have the opportunity to assign a name to your new profile when you click Save Record As .

The Time Scale dropdown box controls the granularity of the schedule.

Check the Disable option to deactivate a currently defined schedule. Any area or zone associated with a disabled

schedule will not have its load controlled by that schedule. The option to disable a schedule can be particularly useful

when you want to try several different load profiles for a particular area in subsequent simulations.

The Current Value text box indicates the current value of the profile’s prescribed load multiplier. This is a read-only

field.

Simulator recognizes three types of load profiles: daily, weekly, and weekday/weekend. Define the load schedule as

one of these classes by selecting one of the choices listed under Schedule Type . Daily load profiles specify how load

is to vary over the course of a single day. If the simulation stretches over multiple days, the same load variation will be

modeled for each subsequent day if the active load profile is of type daily. A weekly load profile is actually a

composite of 7 daily load profiles. It allows you to specify load multipliers for each hour of each day of the week. If the

simulation occurs over multiple weeks, the same weekly load variation will be modeled for each subsequent week if

the active load profile is of type weekly. Finally, a weekday/weekend load profile gives you the flexibility to specify

different load profiles for weekdays and weekend days. If all weekdays exhibit the same load variations, specifying a

weekday/weekend schedule will require less work than specifying a weekly schedule, since a weekly schedule

requires you to enter a profile for each day of the week. Use a weekly profile if you want to model the variations in

load peaks and shoulders exhibited by different days of the week.

Following the Schedule Type option is a table listing pairs of time points and load multiple values. This table defines

the schedule for the load variation. If no schedule has been defined, a default schedule is shown with all values equal

to 1.0. If unmodified, the default schedule is automatically deleted. If you do not wish to model a schedule, simply

leave the default schedule without making any modifications.

The schedule table has a local menu that can be invoked by clicking the right mouse button. To insert a new point,

choose Insert Time Point from the local menu, or press the Insert Time Point button. To delete an existing time point,

right click on the record’s Load Scale field and choose Delete Time Point, or press the Delete Time Point button. To

see a plot of the load profile as it is currently defined, press the Show Graph button. To modify the load multiplier at a

particular time, simply edit the corresponding Load Scale field.

Note that you can also edit the load profile from the graph that appears when you click Show Graph. Click on the plot

of the profile to reveal its vertices. The vertices represent the time points listed in the table. When you move the

mouse over a vertex, it becomes a crosshair pointer. When the mouse is in this state, you can move the vertex

around the plot area to modify both the time and the load scale parameters associated with that point. You may

discover and even modify the load scale associated with a vertex by right clicking the mouse when the pointer is a

crosshairs. You may introduce a new time point by holding the CTRL key down and then selecting the curve with the

left mouse button at the point in time where you want to define the new load scale. You can delete a vertex by holding

down CTRL as you select the vertex with the left mouse key. You can adjust the scale of either axis by right-clicking

on the axis. Finally, you may move the entire load profile up or down the load scale or along the time axes by

selecting the curve somewhere other than at a vertex. When you are done modifying the load variation using the plot,

you may close it.

To save the changes you have made to the load profile, click Save Record. To save the load profile to a new

schedule, click Save Record As . Finally, to close the Load Variation Dialog without saving your changes, click

Cancel.

326

Properties of Simulator Objects

Interface Properties

Interface Information

The Interface Dialog is used to create, modify, or delete interface records in both the Edit and Run Modes. This dialog

has the following controls:

Interface Name

An alphanumeric identifier for the interface of up to 24 characters. Use the dropdown box or the spin button to

navigate through the list of existing interface records.

Interface Number

A numeric identifier for the interface, between 1 and 32,767.

Add New Interface

Click the Add New Interface button to define a new interface from the Interface Dialog. When you click this button,

the Interface Name field and Interface Elements table are cleared, requiring you to enter a new name and new

elements.

Delete Interface

Select this button to delete the currently displayed interface. Once the interface record has been deleted, the

Interface Name field displays the previous interface record, if any. If there are not previously defined interface

records, Simulator will close the dialog.

Interface Limits

Specify the possible limits for net interface flow. As for transmission lines and transformers, up to eight distinct

limits can be specified for interfaces. Which limit set is used can be controlled from the Limits Tab of the

PowerWorld Simulator Options Dialog or the Line and Transformer Limit Violations Display.

Direction for Flow Monitoring

This area allows the user to change the flow monitoring direction. Clicking on the interface in the Interface

Elements area will bring up the Interface Elements Dialog. This is where the default direction is set. To keep this

default direction, choose FROM à TO, to change this direction, choose TO à FROM, and to monitor both

directions, choose Both Directions.

Non-contingent MW Flow

Indicates the present net flow through the interface elements, not including affects of contingencies, in MW.

Contingent MW Flow

The amount of flow that would be added to the interface flow if the contingency defined with the interface were to

occur, in MW.

Total MW Flow

The sum of the non-contingent MW flow and Contingent MW flow, for the total MW flow considered on the interface,

in MW.

PTDF Value (%)

The Power Transfer Distribution Factor for the interface, if calculated.

Interface Elements

The Interface Elements Table lists each element comprising the interface. If Simulator is in Run Mode, the table will

also show the present flow through each element. To edit or delete an existing element in the table, click on it to bring

up the Interface Element Dialog. Use the Interface Element Dialog to modify or delete the element.

Insert New Element

Click the Insert New Element Dialog to add a new element to the interface using the Interface Element Dialog.

Click OK to save any changes you have made and to close the Interface Information Dialog. Click Save to save

your changes but to leave the dialog open so that you can view and modify other interface records. Click Cancel to

close the dialog without s aving your latest change.

Element Identifiers

Choose whether to show the interface descriptions using the interface names, the interface numbers, or a

combination of both.

OPF

327

Properties of Simulator Objects

Interface Element Information

The Interface Element Dialog is used to redefine or to add the individual elements comprising an interface. Individual

lines or transformers, inter-area ties, inter-zone ties, line contingencies, DC lines, injection groups, generators, and

loads may make up an interface. The Interface Element Dialog allows you to add all three varieties of interface

elements to an interface.

The Interface Element Dialog comes in two very similar forms, depending upon how it was invoked. The dialog may

be called from the Interface Information Dialog by clicking on either the Interface Elements Table or the Insert New

Element button.

The Interface Element Dialog contains the following controls:

Element Type

Specifies the type of interface element being investigated or added. Interface elements can be any line or

transformer or, more specifically, they can be groups of lines and transformers that tie two areas or two zones

together. Interfaces can also contain line contingencies, DC lines, generators, loads, and injection groups.

When the selection for Element Type changes, the available Element Identifiers change to allow you to pick the

appropriate elements of that type.

Element Identifiers

Depending upon the Element Type selection, different element identifiers are required to designate the element to

add to the interface. You can search through the list of identifiers to find the particular elements you w ish to include.

Note that the flow direction on transmission line, transformer, and DC line elements will be dependent on which end

of the line you choose as the near bus. The flow will always be measured in the direction of near bus to far bus.

The flow will be positive when flowing from near to far, and negative when flow from far to near. In addition, line

elements also have an additional setting labeled Monitor Flow at To End. This determines which magnitude of

flow should be reported. If checked, the flow at the To end of the line will be reported, otherwise the flow magnitude

at the From end is used.

Insert

If you came to the Interface Element Dialog by pressing the Insert New Element button on the Interface Information

Dialog, only the Insert, Cancel, and Help buttons will be available. Click the Insert button to add the element you

have just defined to the list of elements comprising the interface. After you click Insert, the dialog will disappear,

and the Interface Elements table on the Interface Information Dialog will contain the element you just added.

Replace, Delete

If you arrived at the Interface Element Dialog by clicking on an element in the Interface Elements Table of the

Interface Information Dialog, the Replace , Delete , Cancel, and Help buttons will be visible. Click Replace to

modify the interface element according to your specifications on this dialog. Click Delete to remove the element

from the interface definition.

Cancel

Click Cancel to close the Interface Elements Dialog without saving your changes.

329

Interface Field Information Dialog

Interface field objects are used to show the different values associated with interface records. This dialog is used to

view and modify the parameters associated with these fields. The dialog has the following fields:

Interface Name

Case insensitive name of an existing interface (12 characters maximum).

Find…

If you do not know the exact interface name you are looking for, you can click this button to open the advanced

search engine.

Total Digits in Field

Total number of digits to show in the field.

Digits to Right of Decimal

Number of digits to show to the right of the decimal point.

Rotation Angle in Degrees

The rotation angle at which the text field should be displayed.

Anchored

If checked, the interface field is anchored to its associated interface display object.

Include Suffix

If the Include Suffix checkbox is checked, the corresponding field units will be displayed after the current value.

Otherwise, only the value without units will be shown.

Type of Field

Type of field to show for the interface record. Interface fields may show the interface's name, its MW Limit, MW

Flow, percent loading, or any other interface specific field available by clicking the Select a field option and choosing

a field from the drop-down list.

330

Automatically Inserting Interfaces in Case

The Inserting Interfaces Dialog is used to insert a group of interfaces. Only interfaces between adjacent areas or

adjacent zones can be inserted automatically; single-branch interfaces between buses must be inserted with line

insertion options. Adjacent areas or zones are those that share at least one tie line. To reach this field, go to Case

Information > Interfaces and then right-click on the display to bring up the submenu. From the submenu choose

Auto Insert Interfaces. This dialog is NOT brought up through the menu item Insert > Auto Insert > Interfaces,

which is for inserting interface objects on an oneline diagram.

The Inserting Interfaces Dialog sports the following fields:

Type of Interfaces to Insert

Select the type of interfaces to insert. Area-to-area interfaces join adjacent areas, while zone-to-zone interfaces

join adjacent zones. The name of the new interface defaults to "Area1- Area2" or "Zone1-Zone2" with an Optional

Prefix.

Optional Prefix

This field allows you to specify an optional prefix of up to three characters. Use this prefix to avoid duplicating

names, particularly when some of the areas or zones have the same name.

Delete Existing Interfaces

If this option is checked, then all existing interfaces are deleted before inserting the new interfaces. By default, this

option is checked. If this option is not checked, the existing interfaces are not deleted. However, new interfaces will

automatically overwrite any existing interfaces having the same name.

Only Insert Between Areas/Zones with Area/Zone Filters Set

If this option is checked, the set of potential areas or zones for inserting interfaces is limited to those for which the

area/zone filter setting is Yes .

Limits

Simulator can either calculate an interface rating based on the ratings of the components included in the interface,

or the user can specify a set of ratings to be used for the interface. If neither of these options is used to set an

interface limit, then by default, the interface limits are left as 0, indicating no limit has been applied.

Insert Interfaces

Click this button to insert the interface records into the case.

Cancel

Closes the dialog without modifying the list of interfaces.

332

Properties of Simulator Objects

Nomogram Information Dialog

The Nomogram Dialog is used to create, modify, or delete nomogram records in both the Edit and Run Modes.

Nomograms are used for combining a pair of interface objects for the purpose of monitoring a combined flow

restriction on the two interfaces together.

This dialog has the following controls:

Nomogram Name

An alphanumeric identifier for the nomogram.

Interface A

The first interface forming the interface pair. To add the interface from scratch in the nomogram dialog, click on the

Insert New Element button. In this manner you will be creating the interface from the individual elements, the

same as creating an interface on the interface dialog. If you already have an interface defined, and wish to clone

the elements of that interface for this nomogram, use the button labeled Clone Elements From to find the interface

and copy the element definition.

Interface B

The second interface forming the interface pair. To add the interface from scratch in the nomogram dialog, click on

the Insert New Element button. In this manner you will be creating the interface from the individual elements, the

same as creating an interface on the interface dialog. If you already have an interface defined, and wish to clone

the elements of that interface for this nomogram, use the button labeled Clone Elements From to find the interface

and copy the element definition.

Nomogram Breakpoints

This section is used for defining the limit boundaries for the interface. The limit boundaries are defined by inserting

nomogram breakpoints. These breakpoints correspond to a pair of MW flow s on each interface. In other words,

you define the amount of flow allowed on Interface B when interface A is at a certain amount. Typically you will

have a flow limit on Interface B that is constant for a certain range of flow in interface A. However, at some point as

the flow on Interface A increases, the limit of flow on Interface B can start to decrease due to desired flow limit

restrictions of the combined interfaces. At some point, the limit of Interface A would reach a maximum amount and

remain constant, and the range of flow on interface B would be fairly small due to the heavy loading in Interface A.

To build this Nomogram Limiting Boundary, begin by right-clicking in the Nomogram Breakpoints list and choose

Insert Point. Note that the boundary definition must be a convex piecewise linear curve. You would typically being

by defining the flow limit allowed on Interface B when the flow on interface A is small or zero. Then define

breakpoints where the limit on B decreases as the flow on A increases. Eventually you will define a point where the

flow on A reaches a limit as the flow on B continues to decrease towards zero. In short, the nomogram limiting

boundary is actually a combination of boundary limits that are scaled combinations of the individual interface limits.

See the image below for an example of a nomogram limiting boundary.

333

Text-Based Information Displays

Chapter 8: Text-based Information Displays

This chapter describes the case information displays. The case information displays are used to display information

about the case, regardless of whether or not it is shown on the onelines.

The following material is included:

· Fundamentals

· Summary Displays

· Area and Zone Displays

· Bus Displays

· Substation Displays

· Generator Displays

· Load Displays

· Line and Transformer Displays

· Switched Shunt Displays

· Interface Displays

· Injection Group Displays

· Island Displays

· Transaction Displays

· Limit Violation Displays

· Ownership Displays

· Load Flow Displays

Fundamentals

Case Information Displays

Simulator offers several Case Information Displays that provide a convenient, spreadsheet-like view of the power

system and its components and are available regardless of whether the case has an associated oneline diagram or

not. The Case Information menu item provides a link to these displays. Case information displays are available for

buses, bus mismatches, generators, generator costs, ac lines, transformers, transformer impedance correction tables,

dc lines, interfaces, areas, zones, schedules, and many other types of objects. Other screens, such as the

Area/Zone/Owner Filters and Limit Violations displays to name a couple, also fall into the category of case information

displays. There are many different characteristics associated with the Case Information Displays, as discussed in the

following topics:

Colors and Cell Styles

Using Cell Handles

Local Menu Options

Sorting Records

Configuring the Case Information Displays

Finding Records

335

Case Information Displays

Configuring the Case Information Displays

The content and format of all case information displays can be controlled through the Display / Column Options dialog.

This dialog can be viewed by clicking Display/Column Options from the case information display’s local menu.

To reset all case information display properties to their default settings, including column and data field associations,

click the Reset All to Default Values button.

To save your changes and close the dialog box, click OK. To save your changes without closing the dialog box, click

Save. To undo the changes you have specified and close the dialog box, click Cancel. Finally, click Help to view the

corresponding help screen.

Column Options

Available Fields

This list contains all the fields available for addition to the respective case information display. You may select

several entries from this list by holding down the Shift and Control keys. Hold down the control key to select several

individual fields. Hold down the Shift key to select all fields between two successive mouse clicks. You may then

add multiple fields to the Shown fields (see Add below).

Show these fields in this order

This list contains the fields which are presently shown on the respective case information display. You may select

several entries from this list by holding down the Shift and Control keys. Hold down the control key to select several

individual fields. Hold down the Shift key to select all fields between two successive mouse clicks. You may then

remove multiple fields (see Remove below) or move the order of fields (see Move below).

Column Width

Enter a new value to adjust the physical width of the column. This will affect all fields selected in the Show these

fields list.

Total Digits

The number of digits to use when displaying values in the column (including the decimal point.) This will affect all

fields selected in the Show these fields list.

Decimal Places

Number of total digits to the right of the decimal point. This will affect all fields selected in the Show these fields list.

< Remove (Removing Columns)

Click the < Remove button to remove the fields that are currently selected in the Show these fields list. You may

also click on the selected fields in the Show these fields list and drag and drop the fields on the Available fields.

Add > (Inserting Columns)

Click the Add > button to add all selected available fields to the end of the Show these fields list. You may also

click on the selected Available fields and drag and drop the field on the Show these fields list. When drag/dropping

the fields, all selected fields will be inserted just before the field that the mouse is over when you drop the fields.

Once you have added fields you may then utilize the

Move Up, Move Down (Moving Columns)

If you selected a block of fields in the Show these fields list, you may change the order of the list by clicking on the

Move Up or Move Down button.

Highlight Key Fields

Checking this option will highlight the key fields for the type of object displayed in the case information display

presently being modified. The fields highlighted in Yellow in the two lists are either the Primary key fields

(numbered) or the Secondary key fields (lettered). Note that some key fields, usually the Circuit ID, are both

numbered and lettered, meaning they are used as both Primary or Secondary key fields. Either ALL numbered key

fields OR all lettered key fields must be included in the list of shown columns if you intend to export the data to

either Excel or a text file, modify it, and paste it back into Simulator.

The fields highlighted in Green are the fields that would be necessary in Excel or an auxiliary file in order to create

NEW objects of the type displayed when pasting from Excel or reading in an auxiliary file. If all of the green

highlighted fields are not present in the external source, Simulator will not be able to create new objects that may be

defined in that source, and will only paste information for objects that already exist in the present case.

Frozen Columns

The number of columns that are fixed and do not scroll when you scroll left or right in the display. Frozen columns

will have a background color of gray instead of white. The number of frozen columns is 1 by default.

336

Text-Based Information Displays

Display Options

Automatically Refresh

Check this box to ensure that data presented by the case information displays always reflects the current state of

the system. Generally, you will want to have the case information displays refresh automatically. However, for

large systems, having several automatically refreshing case information displays open simultaneously may hamper

program performance.

Use Area / Zone Filters

Check this box to restrict the case information display’s record set to cover only those areas and zones specified by

the area/zone/owner filters. If this box is unchecked, all records, regardless of zone or area, will be displayed. (The

area/zone filters option obviously does not apply to the Area/Zone Filters information display.)

Advanced Filter

Clicking this button will open the Advanced Filters Dialog, which will allow more detailed filtering on the display.

Use Custom Font / Row Height

If checked, then the Row Height and Custom Font specifications will be used. Changing either the Row Height or

Custom Font properties will cause this box to become checked automatically. If you wish not to apply your custom

specifications to the active case information display, uncheck this box; the default font and row height settings, as

defined under the Case Information Displays tab of the PowerWorld Simulator Options dialog box, will be reapplied.

Row Height

Defines the height of the rows of the case information display.

Change Custom Font

Defines the font with which to display the records.

Set as Default

Sets the current Font and Row Height as the defaults.

Auto Size all Column Widths

Constrains all field widths to contain the widest data elements in each column.

337

Case Information Displays: Local Menu Options

All case information displays have a set of local menu options. The local menu can be brought up at any time by right

clicking on case information display. The following local menu options are common to most case information displays.

Additionally, many local menus of case information displays have specific menu options that are only available for the

type of object being displayed.

Find

Use the Find local menu option to retrieve a record pertaining to a particular element. Choosing Find from the local

menu will open the Find Dialog Box, which may be used to find records pertaining to an element identified by either

number or name.

Search for Text

Use the Search for Text local menu option to find text inside the Case Information display. Choosing Search for

Text from the local menu will open the Search for Text Dialog, which may be used to find the specified text in a list

display.

Contour Column

Use the Contour Column local menu option to contour a column of the list display. Choosing Contour Column from

the local menu will open the Contour Column Dialog.

Display/Column Options

The contents and format of the information display can be controlled using the Case Information Display Dialog.

See Configuring the Case Information Displays for more details.

Show Dialog

Selecting the Show Dialog option will invoke a dialog box containing more detailed information and settings

regarding the corresponding system object. For example, clicking Show Dialog from the local menu of a Bus Case

Information Display will bring up the Bus Information Dialog.

Quick Power Flow List

Use the Quick Power Flow List local menu option to invoke Simulator's Quick Power Flow List tool.

Bus View Oneline

Use the Bus View Oneline local menu option to bring up the Bus View Display, which illustrates how the selected

bus is connected to the rest of the system.

Copy All

The Copy All menu option copies the entire record set contained in the case information display to the Windows

clipboard, from which it can be copied into other programs such as Excel for further analysis. See Copying

Simulator Data to and from Other Applications for more details.

Copy Selection

The Copy Selection menu option copies the records selected in the case information display to the Windows

clipboard, from which the selection can be copied into other programs such as Microsoft Excel for further analysis.

See Copying Simulator Data to and from Other Applications for more details.

Send All to Excel

The Send All to Excel menu option copies the entire record set contained in the case information display and

automatically sends it to Excel. The first time this option is selected, Simulator will start a new instance of Excel on

your machine and paste the data on the first sheet. Subsequent calls to Send to Excel will continue to add sheets

and paste data to this instance of Excel, until the Excel instance is closed manually by the user.

Send Selection to Excel

The Send Selection to Excel menu option copies the selected record set in the case information display and

automatically sends it to Excel. The first time this option is selected, Simulator will start a new instance of Excel on

your machine and paste the data on the first sheet. Subsequent calls to Send to Excel will continue to add sheets

and paste data to this instance of Excel, until the Excel instance is closed manually by the user.

Copy / Send Special

The Copy / Send Special menu option will open the a dialog that allows the user to set a few custom options before

completing the data copy. The user can choose to copy all or a selection, and to copy the data either to the

Windows clipboard or send it directly to Excel. In addition, the user can choose whether to use the normal column

headings or variable names as column identifiers. Lastly, the user can specify whether or not to include a row

containing the type of object the data represents (Object Name) and a row containing the column headers for each

column of data. Note that for pasting the information back into Simulator, the Object Name and Column Heading

338

Text-Based Information Displays

rows must be contained with the data to be pasted. If you have changed the settings on this dialog and wish to

make them the case default settings, click on the Make Default for all Copy Actions button.

Paste

Select Paste from the local menu to copy a record set from the Windows clipboard into the case information display.

See Copying Simulator Data to and from Other Applications for more details.

You can print the contents of most of the case information displays by selecting Print from the local menu.

Save As

This option will save the contents of the case information display to an external file.

Auxiliary File

This option allows saving all the contents of the case information display to an auxiliary file.

Auxiliary File (Only Selection)

This option allows saving the selected record set in the case information display to an auxiliary file.

CSV (Comma Delimited)

This option allows sav ing all the contents of the case information display to a comma delimited file.

CSV (Only Selection)

This option allows saving the selected record set in the case information display to a comma delimited file.

HTML

You can save the entire table or selected records to an HTML file for viewing from an Internet browser. For

more information, see Saving Case Information Display Contents as HTML Tables.

Bitmap

This option allows saving the case information display into a Bitmap picture file.

JPeg

This option allows saving the case information display into a JPEG picture file.

Load

This option will load the contents of an external file to the case information display.

Auxiliary File (Any Data)

This option allows loading an auxiliary file containing any data.

Auxiliary File (Only Specific Data)

This option allows loading an auxiliary file containing only data related to the current case information display.

Advanced Filter

Allows the user to custom filter the information in the display based on desired criteria. See Advanced Filtering for

more information.

Advanced Sort

Allows the user to custom sort the information in the display based on desired criteria.

Define Expression

Allows you to define Custom Expressions that are functions of other fields.

Get Column Metrics

This option allows you to compute the metrics for the selected column. Choosing Get Column Metrics from the

local menu will bring the Grid Metrics Dialog. This option is only available for columns whose content is numeric.

Refresh Display

Select this option to update the currently displayed data to match the present state of the system.

Why is this field or line disabled?

This option will display a message showing the reason why the field is disabled. This option will be enabled only if

the field is actually disabled.

Help

Display context-sensitive help for the case-information display.

Form Control

This menu option allows to control the case information display.

Closes the case information display.

339

Text-Based Information Displays

Case Information Displays: Colors and Cell Styles

The case information displays distinguish data field types by text color and cell style. Most of the entries on the case

information display are colored using the following color convention. These colors can be customized using the Case

Information Displays tab on PowerWorld Simulation Options Display , which can be invoked by selecting Options >

Solution/Environment from the main menu.

There are three types of data fields:

Standard Fields

Fields that cannot be modified directly from the case information display are colored black

by default.

Enterable Fields

Fields that can be modified are colored navy blue by default. When selected, a cell

containing an enterable field will display a tiny filled square in its bottom right corner. This box is called a cell.

Toggleable Fields

Fields whose values can be toggled are colored green by default. The values contained

in toggleable fields are modified by left-clicking on them. Like cells in enterable fields, cells in toggleable fields

display a cell handle when selected.

Besides indicating field type, color coding is also used to highlight violations of branch flow, generator MW or MVR

output, and bus voltage constraints. Fields that are either at a limit or violating a limit are colored red by default. This,

too, is configurable from the Case Information Displays tab on PowerWorld Simulation Options Display .

341

Case Information Displays: Using Cell Handles

When selected, cells corresponding to enterable and toggleable fields exhibit a small filled square in their bottom right

corner called a cell handle. The cell handle may be used to propagate the value of the selected cell to other cells in

the same field.

Suppose we have selected a toggleable or enterable cell and that we wish to copy its value to other records. Call this

cell the source cell and its value the source value. To copy the source value to another record or records, perform the

following steps:

· Drag the mouse onto the cell handle until the pointer becomes a crosshair.

· With the mouse pointer showing as a crosshair, click and hold the left mouse button.

· With the left mouse button depressed, drag the mouse up or down from the source cell to select a group of records

to which to c opy the source value. These destination cells will display a yellow background when selected in this

manner.

· When you have finished selecting the destination cells, release the left mouse button.

· A message box will appear asking whether you want to change the values of the destination cells to the source

value. Answer Yes to complete the copy.

342

Text-Based Information Displays

Filtering

Area/Zone/Owner Filters

The Area/Zone/Owner Filters Display, invoked by clicking Case Information > Area/Zone/Owners Filters from the

main menu or the corresponding button on the Options/Info Toolbar, allows you to filter the information shown on the

case information displays and other dialogs by area, zone or owner. For small cases, you will usually not need to use

this filtering capability, but it can be essential for large cases. The filters display lists each area, zone and owner in the

case, the number of buses in each, the range of bus numbers contained in each, and whether or not information about

that area, zone or owner should be displayed. In order for a device to be displayed, its area, zone and owner Shown

property must be set to yes.

You can switc h between displaying the filters for the case areas or the zones by clicking on the associated tab.

The Filters list is itself a case information display and therefore shares many of the same local menu options and

characteristics. Using the local menu, you can search for an area, zone or owner by number or by name, copy

records to and from other applications, and send the records to a printer. You can inspect an area, zone or owner by

selecting Show Dialog from the local menu, which invokes the Area Information , Zone Information or Owner

Information Dialogs. You can also change the format and content of the filters display by selecting the Display

Column/Options item from the local menu. The records can be sorted by any of its component fields simply by clicking

the corresponding column’s heading.

The display’s only enterable field is the one entitled Shown, which may assume only the values Yes and No. For

example, if the Area/Zone/Owner Filters setting for an area is No, then any case information display configured to

enforce area/zone/owner filters will omit the area’s elements from the resulting record set. You can specify whether a

particular case information display enforces filters using the display’s Display/Column Options Dialog.

Double-click on a cell in the Shown field to toggle its value. Use the cell handle to propagate a particular value to

multiple areas, zones or owners, or use the Toggle All Yes or Toggle All No local menu options to set the values of all

area, zone or owner records.

345

Advanced Filtering

Simulator has always had the ability to filter data by Area and by Zone. This is known as Area/Zone/Owner Filtering.

Simulator also contains the ability to perform custom filtering on case information displays as well. Advanced Filtering

is accessed by right-clicking on a Case Information Display and choosing Advanced Filter from the local menu. This

brings up the Advanced Filters Dialog, which allows you to custom filter the information in the display. Advanced

Filters are stored with your Power System Case.

A Case Information Display will have the phrase "(advanced filter)" in its caption if an Advanced Filter has been

applied to it. To remove a filter from a Case Information Display, bring up the Advanced Filters Dialog and and click

on Remove . Note that Remove does NOT delete the filter, but just stops using it to filter the data. You can always

remove the filter temporarily and then come back into the Advanced Filters Dialog and reapply the filter. If you want to

Delete a filter, you must bring it up in the Advanced Filters Dialog and click on Delete .

346

Text-Based Information Displays

Advanced Filters Dialog

When you open this dialog, you will only see filters that have been defined f or the type of object you are trying to filter

(e.g. Bus, Generator, Interface, etc…). You can choose a filter from the Filter Name drop-down box showing the list of

filters available, or you can create a new filter. To make a new filter, simply click on Save As to save a copy of the

present filter under a new name and then specify the properties of the filter as discussed below. When you have

specified the filter as you wish, click Filter.

Note that advanced filters are stored with the case file when the case is saved. In addition, the filters can be exported

to a Simulator Auxiliary File for storage and import into other cases. A list of all advanced filters defined for a case can

be viewed in the Advanced Filters case information display.

To create an Advanced Filter you must specify the following things:

Filter Name

A string that describes your filter so that you can call it up from other forms in the future.

Condition 1, Condition2, etc…

Describes the conditions of your filter. To define a condition

· Specify the field you are filtering. By default, the fields in the drop-down list are limited to the fields presently

shown as columns in the display. If you wish to choose from a list of all fields for the object, change the radio

button setting to Show All Fields .

· Specify the comparison operation such as "between" or "greater than".

· Specify the values the field is compared to. Depending on the comparison operation, either one or two values

are needed.

· Select ABS to use the absolute value of the field value in the comparison operation.

Note: The comparison operation "within integer range list" uses the same format as described in Entering a Range

of Numbers.

Note: To add or delete conditions click on the Add>> or Delete… button

Logical Comparison

The following describes how the Filter uses the Conditions which are specified

· AND means that all conditions should be true

· Not AND is the opposite of AND (i.e. any one of the conditions can be false)

· OR means that any one of the conditions can be true

· Not OR is the opposite of OR (i.e. all of the conditions must be false)

For advanced logical comparisons within the same filter, refer to the important note below.

Pre-Filter using Area/Zone Filters

When this box is checked, data is filtered first by the Area/Zone/Owner Filters and then by the Advanced Filter,

therefore the data must meet both filters in order to be shown. When this box is unchecked, the Area/Zone/Owner

Filters are ignored.

Enable Field to Field Comparisons

When this box is checked, it is possible to compare two fields. In order to do so, select Field and click on Find to

select the second field to be compared.

Important Note : once you choose a condition comparison type, that type is used for all conditions in the filter.

Therefore if you wish to use the AND condition, all conditions you define will be applied using AND. There is a way to

combine different conditions within the same filter. This is accomplished by allowing nested filters. In other words,

one condition of a filter can be that another filter is met. To refer to one filter from within another, set the Field of the

condition to the last item in the list, labeled "_UseAnotherFilter". Then choose whether the condition is to meet the

filter or Not meet the filter, then choose the f ilter (which must have been previously defined) from the drop down list of

the third box, or by clicking the Find button.

347

PowerWorld Simulator version 11. Manual - page 9