Method for generating a reduced equivalent model of an electric power network for SCED and SCUC applications

A method for generating performance data for an electric power network, the method comprising:

• receiving a full scale electric power network model including information describing a structure, including a plurality of interconnected nodes, and electrical parameters of the electric power network;
• generating a reduced electric power network model using data from the full scale electric power network model, the generation of the reduced electric power network model including:
• selecting a plurality of electric power network branches of focus from the description of the electric power network,
• generating a plurality of electric power network operating conditions of interest,
• updating the electric power network branches of focus to include data regarding critical operating conditions of interest,
• clustering a plurality of nodes of the electric power network to form a plurality of super nodes,
• associating a first end point and a second end point of each network branch of focus with a first super node and a second super node, respectively,
• adding a connection between the first super node and the second super node for the network branch of focus,
• generating a reduced electric power network topology that includes the super nodes,
• generating a plurality of reduced electric power network electrical parameters, and
• outputting an electric power network model that includes the reduced electric power network topology and the reduced electric power network electrical parameters;
• executing security constrained economic dispatch or security constrained unit commitment computer software programs using the reduced electric power network model that includes a reduced electric power network topology and reduced electric power network electrical parameters;
• and
• outputting data regarding a performance of the electric power network, the data generated from executing security constrained economic dispatch or security constrained unit commitment computer software programs using the reduced electric power network model, the data including at least one of plant commitment and dispatch, electric power network electricity flow, and market prices.

A computing device for generating and using a model of an electric power network, the computing device comprising:

• a processing element in electronic communication with a memory element, the processing element programmed, configured, or a combination thereof, to:
• receive a description of an electric power network, the electric power network including a plurality of interconnected nodes;
• select a plurality of electric power network branches of focus from the description of the electric power network;
• generate a plurality of electric power network operating conditions of interest;
• update the electric power network branches of focus to include data regarding critical operating conditions of interest;
• cluster a plurality of nodes of the electric power network to form a plurality of super nodes;
• associate a first end point and a second end point of each network branch of focus with a first super node and a second super node, respectively;
• add a connection between the first super node and the second super node for the network branch of focus;
• generate a reduced electric power network topology that includes the super nodes;
• generate a plurality of reduced electric power network electrical parameters;
• output an electric power network model that includes the reduced electric power network topology and the reduced electric power network electrical parameters;
• and
• execute at least one of security constrained economic dispatch and security constrained unit commitment computer software programs using the electric power network model that includes the reduced electric power network topology and the reduced electric power network electrical parameters.