Interactive real time power system simulators for training and planning purposes

Recent advances in the real time simulation of the electro-mechanical transient and dynamic behaviour of complex power systems has led to the suggestion of the use of such simulators for both operator training and planning tools. The requirements of each of these applications, in terms of user interaction speed, level of functionality and type of user interface, are quite different. The speed at which the necessary calculations for, e.g. an eighty machine power system with eight hundred busbars have to be carried out is high. The use of parallel processing techniques to achieve these high speeds has led to the practical implementation of such simulators operating in real time. Another major consideration, that of the user interface, has led to the development of advanced human computer interfaces (HCI). The authors look at both the requirements of the applications mentioned above and the necessary technology to implement appropriate interactive graphical interfaces for those applications