Performance simulation of distributed energy management systems

The performance simulation of an open architecture energy management system (EMS) can provide detailed quantitative performance information long before a system is built. A method for simulating the performance of LAN-based EMSs is presented. The simulation shows how the performance of the system with respect to throughput and response time can be predicted. The results of the simulation of a generic LAN-based EMS for a typical operating scenario in a control center are presented. The simulation models the system hardware, including processor workstations, dispatcher consoles, memories, disks, LANs, file servers, etc. The LAN protocol and LAN data traffic are simulated. Typical EMS software functions are simulated. Dispatcher actions are simulated by random time event generators, which also simulate random power system events. Sensitivity analysis is performed by varying a number of system parameters to determine their effect on the simulated system. Outputs of the simulation show: utilization of the processors, consoles, LANs, and servers; LAN statistics; response times of display callups and supervisory control; and elapsed times of key EMS functions