Simulation of a Multiprocessor Network for Power System Problems

A network of computers arranged in a modified ring structure has been designed for solving in parallel the equations describing dynamic disturbances on large power systems. The operation of this network when solving a 1732-bus, 398-generator system using an algorithm based on the Bonneville Power Administration´s Transient Stability Program has been simulated on a CDC 6600. The purpose of the simulation was to determine how efficiently the algorithm can be executed in parallel on this multiprocessor configuration. The critical part of the algorithm is the forward and back substitution passes through the LDU decomposed I = YE equations. Parallel execution times for various combinations of processors and the corresponding gains over a conventional serial solution are given.