Validation of high-definition electric power delivery network simulation

This paper discusses a study funded the California Energy Commission (CEC), performed by New Power Technologies with Southern California Edison to validate a system-wide, distribution element-level (high definition) power system simulation using field measurements. Comparisons of system simulation results and field measurements showed that the simulation is a statistically significant predictor of field conditions. This confirms the simulation, derived from repurposed conventional utility data, as a usefully accurate representation of the system. It also suggests that simulation results could be used to estimate system conditions between sparse monitoring points. These results also demonstrate the close integration of wide-area system monitoring and a detailed system simulation, with extensive reliance on legacy field instrumentation, communication and data management infrastructure, with implications for smart grid applications.