Parallel solution of electrical networks by the method of exact equivalents

Strict real-time simulation, performed at the exact speed of phenomena of transient stability of large electrical power networks, requires parallel methods of solution. The presented “method of exact equivalents of networks” allows such simulation of very large power transmission networks with over a hundred busbars on parallel computers. Its principles are set out together with the loading of each processor, forming part of the parallel computer. Sources of error introduced by the method are presented, as well as the results of simulations with Matlab software. The authors identify the types of power network best suited to this method, the probable reductions in computing time, and the constraints associated with these gains. The problem of interprocessor communication channel saturation is examined, and it is shown that there are no bottlenecks. The simulated power transmission network, the software and the architecture of the parallel computer employed are discussed