Open Source Tools for High Performance Quasi-Static-Time-Series Simulation Using Parallel Processing

Quasi-Static-Time-Series (QSTS) simulation is a valuable tool for evaluating the behavior of power systems through time. By performing daily, yearly and other time-based simulations, it is possible to characterize time-varying power conversion devices such as photovoltaic panels, storage, loads, and capacitors, among others within the power system. However, depending on the time-step resolution and simulation duration, the sequential simulation may require a considerable amount of computing time to complete. This paper describes the OpenDSSPM program which is the new Parallel Machine version of EPRI's open-source distribution system simulator program, OpenDSS. OpenDSS-PM is used to implement temporal parallelization and circuit solutions with Diakoptics based on actors as techniques to reduce the time required in QSTS. The results reveal that these techniques enable a significant reduction in time using common computer architectures.