Application independent interactive environment for power systems education

Abstract

This paper presents an interactive software package for the simulation of power system stability studies. The package is intended as a supplementary tool for the teaching of the power system stability courses at the graduate level. The development of the package was done exclusively for IBM-PC and compatible computers. The hardware mainly requires VGA display and 640 Kbytes of memory. Professional libraries used for the development of the package include "MetaWindows". "graphicsMenu". and "Object professional".The paper describes the methods used for the integration of various analysis programs and the organization of the data and information pertinent to a system study.The power systems laboratory at Southern Illinois University has recently developed a graduate course on power systems stability within a program to expand its curriculum. Topics include multimachine studies and studies of excitation control and power system stabilizers. The syllabus incorporates the presentation of advanced techniques employed in power systems stability such as the use of HVDC links and static var compensators [SVC). The department of electrical engineering uses for its research and teaching a large number of microcomputers which include IBM-P C s and compatibles as well as workstations.From our experience in teaching power courses [11 and the experience from other universities 121. it becomes evident that this material can be taught effectively if it is accompanied by suitable computer demonstrations. The use of computers will assist the students to comprehend the fundamental processes and concepts involved in power systems stability. Of particular importance are topics with exceeding complexity [3-5] that cannot be effectively explained in the classroom only. Such topics include: -Control interactions: DiEerent level interactions between the controls of various machines ahd devices, e.g. excitation controls, power system stabilizers.-HVDC links: Coordination of active and reactive power control in HVDC links to enhance system stability. Impact of network transient modes on the converter commutating voltages, e.g. SM 345-9 PWRSA paper recommended and approved by the IEEE Power Engineering Education Committee of the IEEE Power Engineering Society for presentation at the IEEE/PES 1991 Summer Meeting, San Diego, California, July 28 -August 1, 1991. Manuscript submitted January 31, 1991; made available for printing May 17, 1991. harmonic over-voltages and transformer inrush current. -Static var compensation; Study of voltage modulation techniques to damp system oscillations. Effectiveness of various devices i.e. thyrlstor controlled reactor UXRl. voltage source inverter, solid state phase shifters.An effort was, therefore. initiated to develop a highly interactive software package geared towards power stability studies to assist the teachers in the demonstration of the above topics. The package is enhanced with graphics and it is implemented on IBM-PC and compatible computers. The main criteria for its development were: To develop t...