IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 13, No.

4, November 31998

1205

PowerGraf: An Educational Software Package for Power Systems Analysis and Design
Jian Yang, Student Member, IEEE
Max D Anderson, Senior Member, IEEE
University of hlissouri - Rolla Rolla, MO 155409-0040 course problem solving, design projects and self-teachiing excises as well as demonstrations and tutorials. To~lBook['~has ' ~ ]been selected as the platform for this package because of its capability and user friendliness. In addition ToolBook is being used by first and second year engineering students as part of the Basic Engineering Software for Teaching (BEST) curricula in Dynamics, Statistics and Circuits at UM-Rolla. Hence, these students will be familiar with using ToolBook applications before they take power systems courses. ToolBook is a software construction set that can be meld to develop Windows applications. A ToolBook application has all the features of Windows applications -- a graphical user interface, event driven programming, and the abilib to interact with other Windows applications -- but doesn't require the time and efforts of using languages such as C, C++, Pascal, or FORTRAN. ToolBook applications can be created for almost any purpose, especially applications that benefit from a graphical user interface. Examples of applications created with ToolBook include: (1) hypermedia applications such as online encyclopedias, (2) interactive training applications, (3) tutorials, (4) database applications, and (5) game applications. ToolBook is an interactive environment for both creating and running applications. ToolBook's drawing tools are used to create the visual interface of an application such as graphics, buttons, and fields. To define the behavior of elements in the application, ToolBook's programming language, OpenScript, is used. For example, anything that happens when a user clicks a button in the application can be defined by OpenScript. Many applications, that require a graphical output and data entry by the user, can be made to run under ToolBook. ToolBook handles all the tasks of communicating with Windows to display elements onscreen, detect mouse cllicks, and kcystrokes. Because ToolBook is used both to develop and to run applications, an application can be revised at any time to change the information it contains, the way it is organized, or the tasks it performs. ToolBook uses the metaphor of a book as the basis for the application. This organization allows users to create and use sophisticated techniques such as hyperlinking and animation as part of their applications. ToolBook is also an ObjectOriented environment; all the visual elements of the application -- button, fields, graphics, viewers, and even the

Abstract -- The purpose of PowerGrdf is to present a graphical user interface (GUI) and a convenient tool for building one-line diagrams displaying data. The GUI is open and friendly for power systems design, analysis and control, because a picture provides a better illustration of cause and effect relationships than a tabular printout does. Basic elements such as buses, lines and transformers are given such that the power system topology is easily drawn with this tool, and the system parameters are entered on the picture and checked visually. This enables the power system topology and the system data to be shown on one picture page. The advantages of these graphics are that users can view line overloads, low voltage problems, and outages on the overall(tota1) system. I n addition, it is possible to see the impact of contingencies on the system. To date, PowerGraf 3.0 together with an instructional demo has been used to teach power systems courses in Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Missouri-Rolla (UM-Rolla). I t is also available on the Computer Learning Center network to help students design their own optimal power systems. Index Terms -- Educational Software Package, ToolBook, GUI, One-line Diagram, Power Systems Analysis and Design.

I. INTRODUCTION

Several programs have been developed to help users visualize power system operation['-' 'I. Overbye['"' has developed Power World, which uses animation to show power flows, voltages and other parameters over time. Mahadev and Chri~tie[~-~' with a similar purpose, are using "task adaptive visualization" methods. Line widths and colors are used to show line load changes. Circles are used to show generator limits. Both have made large existing; power systems easier to visualize. The objectives of this project are the development of educational facilities for a course in power systems engineering with an integrated laboratory. It will be used for
PE-290-PWRS-0-12-1997 A paper recommended and approved by the IEEE Power Engineering Education Committee of the IEEE Power Engineering Society for publication in the IEEE Transactions on Power Systems. Manuscript submitted July 28, 1997; made available for printing December 12, 1997.

0885-8950/98,/$10.00 0 1997 IEEE

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pages and backgrounds -- are objects. Each object has a set of properties that define the object's appearance and behavior. Applications are developed in ToolBook's Author level, which is the mode that includes drawing and programming tools. New books can be created, objects can ;be created and modified on pages, and programs can be written in Openscript. Conversely, users run applications at ToolBook's Reader level, a mode that includes everything needed to run the application, but no development tools. Users can navigate to particular pages and add pages; type, edit, and format text in fields; print; and r ~ i nOpenscript programs. ToolBook will interface with most programs written in FORTRAN, Pascal, C or C++ for which the source code is available or for which the input and output data formats are known to the users.
11. CONSTRUCTION AND INFORMATION FLOW DIAGRAM OF POWERGRAF

User steps needed to draii a one-line diagram Fiith data included 1 Enter PonerGraf and select the "Author" mod2 A single generator and bus are shonn in Figure 2 This pimre paolrides an eas) starting point for draming the 1-line diagram Bus number "1" is defined as the swing bus (This ! s be causes no loss in generality because the buses can aln a renumbered )

PowerGraf is developed under the multimedia ToolBook environment. It is mainly an open and friendly graphical user interface for power systems analysis and design Its main features include: (1) One line diagram of pon.er systems can be drawn very easily. (2) Multimedia applications can be added to this interface very convenientl>-. (3) Power flow and other power applications programmed with most languages can be added to this interface without difficulty. The construction and information flow of PowerGraf is shown in Figure 1

Input

Editor

PowerGraf

I -

Fig 3 The completed layout of a 7 - ~ U power S system

Fig. 1. Construction and information flow of PowerGraf.

111. COMPUTING REQUIREMENTS AND USER STEPS

FOR POWERGRAF A Windows environment is needed. A PC wilh 16 MB of

RAM and 16MB of free disk space is desired. A Pentium 90

or better is recommended because of the long run times.

2 The main tools available are the "Element" menu and the "Tool Palette" In the "Author" mode 3 On the Input Editor page, select the "Element" menu anal choose the "Add" command to add a bus a line or a Go to the Background first Place the transformer automatically created bus or transformer at a proper place, or draw a new line and place the correct line number on it Then go back to Foreground Move the automatically created field to the corresponding newly added element

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Finally go to the Bus Output Viewer and Line Output Viewer pages to make sure that their fields are all placed correctly. 4. Repeat step 3 until the expected one-line diagram has been completed. If it is necessary to modify the layout, please remember to use the "Element" menu to "remove" or "renumber" the existing elements. Otherwise, PowerGraf cannot memorize the modified data correctly. 5 . Give the system one-line diagram or layout a name and save it. PowerGraf will give the layout an extension .tbk as a default. A completed layout is shown in Figure 3. If an existing diagram needs to be modified, it can be opened at Step 1. Steps 2 - 5 should be followed to make the necessary changes and corrections, and the layout stored as a *.tbk file. Input data editing In PowerGraf, input data together with their corresponding one-line diagram make a study. Studies provide the sets of data for power simulations. Data are stored in *.psa files in the "studies" sub directory of the PowerGraf directory. Editing, saving, and loading of studies can only be done in the "Reader" mode. 1. From the "Author" mode, where a layout is created or

opened, press F3 to go to the "Reader" mode. 2. Enter the power system parameters in the corresponding input fields on the Input Editor page. 3. After all the input data have been entered correctly, save the study in the 'Reader" mode. PowerGraf will give the study an extension .psa as a default. A completed input fo'r a study is shown in Figure 4.

Running a power flow program PowerGraf provides linkages to an existing power flow program. After the desired one-line diagram has been created and all input data have been entered and saved, a power flow study can begin. This is done by selecting the "Power Flow" from the "Run" menu. A power flow program can only be run in the "Reader" mode. This will save the study again, so all changes since the last save will be used. Users will be asked to name the run. This allows the users to keep track of which run is which when the output files are printed. The output can now be viewed by either seleci.ing "View Output File" from the "File" menu or "View Bus/L,ine Output" from the "Options" menu. Examples of bus and line outputs are given in Figures 5 and 6 respectively.

Fig. 4. The

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Edit Options

Bun

Element

Iext

page H e l p

Fig 5 Bus output of the 7-bus power system

~~

File

Edit Options Bun

Element

Iext

Page

Yelp

Fig. 6. In e output of the 7-bus power system

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IV. ON-LINE HELP, INSTRUCTIONAL DEMO AND WWW-BASED USER MANUAL On-line Help Files The help file can be viewed in two different ways. First, it is a PGV3HELP.DOC file, which can be opened using Microsoft Word. From here it can be printed or edited. It can also be accessed using the "Index" command from the "Help" menu. This command will run the book PGV3HELP,TBK, which loads its information from PGV3HELP.TXT, Instructional Demo An instructional demo can be run from PowerGraf using the "Demo" command from the "Help" menu. This will run the book PGDEMO.TBK. The demo contains a showcase of various methods for solving a 2-machine 6-bus power system problem. A low voltage and line overload problem was solved by designing the least cost compensation method using: (1) Reallocation of generation, (2) Adding capacitor banks, (3) Adding transformers, and (4) Adding (or/and removing) transmission lines. Finally an optimal design was found. The complete scenarios show the user the overall effect on the power system of each of the compensation methods. Parameter values are shown on the same picture with power system configuration. The main menu of this on-line instructional demo is shown in Figure 7.

available at: http://www.umr.edu/-yang/PowerGraf/Demo. html

F i g 8 WWW-based user manual of PowerGraf

V. CONCLUSION A convenient tool PowerGraf 3.0 for completing power system studies/designs is presented. Power system parameters are entered on a picture and checked visually. Output is displayed with the picture to show users better cause/effect relationships. PowerGraf 3.O and an instructional demo have been used to teach power systems courses in Electrical Engineering Department at UM-Rcdla. They are also available in the computer learning cente:r to help students design optimal power systems. A more powerhl PowerGraf with better visualization is still under development. We are ;also considering using Matlab for calculations because most of the students are familiar with it. In the meantime, with the deregulation of power systems, many new problem^"^-^^^ will appear. PowerGraf can be easily extended to include these concerns. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors wish to thank the Dean of Engineering, the EE Dept. Chair, and the Intelligent Systems Center for support of this project. Thanks are given to Dr. Charles Gross, Auburn University for providing the first power flow program used with ToolBook in this application.

Fig. 7. Main menu ofthe on-line instructional demo.

WWW-based user manual and on-line demo In order to help students print or read the user manual even more conveniently, a WWW-based user manual was created as shown in Figure 8. Its URL is: http://www.umr.edu/-yangPowerGrafRJserManua1. html A similar WWW-based on-line instructional demo is also

REFERENCES
[I] T. J. Overbye, P. W. Sauer, C. M. Marzinzik, and G. Gross, "A UserFriendly Simulation Program for Teaching Power System Operations," IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. PWRS-10, pp. 1725-1733,
November, 1995

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[2] T. J Overbye, R. P. Klump and J. D. Weber, "Development and Application of a Power System Simulation Environment," 1996 Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems, Ames, 1.4, August 1996. [3] T. J. Overbye, G. Gross and P. W. Sauer, "Understanding Third Party Access Issues: A Simulation and Visualization Tool for Nontechnical Professionals," 1996 Power Systems Computation Conference (PSCC), Dresden, Germany, pp. 621-627, August 1996. [4] T. J. Overbye, P. W. Sauer, G. Gross, M. J. Laufenberg and J. D. Weber. "A simulation tool for analysis of alternative paradigms for the new electricity business," Proc. 20th Hawaii Intemational Conference on System Sciences, pp. V634-V640, Maui, HI, January 1997. [5] T. J. Overbye, G. Gross, M. J. Laufenberg and P. W Sauer, "Visualizing Power System Operations in the Restructured Environment." IEEE Computer Applications in Power," pp. 53-58, January 1997. [6] P. M. Mahadev, R. D. Christie, "Envisioning Power System Data: Concepts and a prototype System State Representation," lEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 8, No. 3, August 1993. [7] R. D. Christie, "Toward a Higher Level of User Interaction in the Energy Management Task," Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, San Antonio, TX, October 2-5, 1994. [8] P. M. Mahadev, R. D. Christie, "Case Study: Visualization of an Electric Power Transmission System," Proceedings of Visualization 1994, October 12-21, 1994, Washington D. C. [9] P. M. Mahadev, R. D. Christie, "Minimizing User Interaction in Energy Management Systems: Task Adaptive Visualization," IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 11, No. 3, August 1996. [IO] J. A. Huang, F. D. Galiana, "An Integrated Personal Computer Graphics Environment for Power System Education, Analysis, and Design" IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 6, No. 3, August 1991 [ I 11 A. Thiyagarajah, B. Carlson, J. Bann, M. Mirheydar, S. Mokhtari, "Seeing Results in a Full Graphics Environment," IEEE Computer Applications in Power, July 1993. [I21 P. R. D ' h o u r and W. R. Block, "Modern User Interface Revolutionizes Supervisory Systems," lEEE Computer Applications in Power, January 1994. [ 131 K. Ghoshal, L. D. Douglas, "GUl Display Guidelines Driving Winning SCADA Projects," IEEE Computer Applications in Power, April 1994. [14]G. P. de Azevedo, C. S. de Souza, B. Feijo, "Enhancing the HumanComputer Interface of Power System Applications," IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 1 I , No. 2, May 1996. User Manual, Version 3.0, Asymetrix Corporation, 1994. [15] Too/Book* [ 161 OpenScrrpt Reference Manual, Asymetrix Corporation, 1994. [I71 James D. Foley, Andries Van Dam, Steven K. Feiner and John F. Hughes, Computer Graphics Principles and Practice, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, ISBN 0-201-121 10-7, Second Edition, 1990. [I81 Blake, M. "GAPP: A Proposed Solution to the Parallel Flow Problem". Proc. 55th American Power Conference, Mar, 1993 [I91 Koller, C., T. Kolenda, "Significant Issues Facing the Interconnection of Independent Power Producers and the Utility", Proc. Annual American Power Conference, Vol. 55, March 1993. [201 Nadira, R., F.F. Wu, D.J. Maratukulam, E. Weber, C. Thomas, "Bulk Transmission System Loss Analysis", IEEE T-PWRS. Vol. 8. no. 2. May, 1993, pp 405-416. [2ll Russell, T., L. Mogridge, "Some Operational Issues Between lndependent Generators and an Independent Grid", Proc. American Power Conference, March 1993. [221 Sandrin, P., L Dubost, L. Feltin, "Evaluation of Transfer Capability between Interconnected Utilities", Proc. 1 I th Power Systems Computation Conference (PSCC), Avignon, August, 1993, pp 981-985. [%3]Baldick. R . , E. Kahn, "Transmcsicn Planning Issues in a Competitive Enlironment", IEEE T-PtVRS. 1.01, E. no. 4, Nov, 1993, pp. 1497-1403.

* ToolBook is a trademark of As)mstnx. 110-1 10th Ave. N E, Suite 700, Belle\ ieu. WA 98004-5840

Jian Yang received dual BS degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 1991 from Tsinghua University, Beijing, P. R. China. He received his MS degree in Electrical Engineering in 1994 from Tsinghua University. He joined the systems development and planning department of North China Electric Power Design Institute in Beijing from June 1994 to June 1994. At present, he is LL Ph.D. candidate of Electrical Engineering Department at UM-Rolla. He is an active studentmember of lEEE and was elected to be a member of Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering honor society, in April 1997

L M a xD. Anderson (M'67, SM'80) received the

B S E E and M S E E degrees from Oklahoma State University He attended Northwectern University for postgraduate studies and completed the Ph D degree from Anzona State University in 1967 After 13 years of engneering responsibility in the aerospace industry, he joined the faculty of UM-Rolla as Associate Professor He was appointed Professor of Electncal Engneenng i n 1982 He has served as Power Area Coordinator for 10 5 ear5 Dr Anderson's research interests lie in the areas of electnc utility systems design and operation Specific \cork includcr \ irualization technology for energy control centers, dispatcher training and training simulators, econormc analysis and modeling, and enerE storage s> rtems His research activities have been supported by the National Science Foundation, Electnc Power Research Institute, the Intemational Lead Zinc Research Organization, and the U S Department of Energy Dr Anderson has ober SO technical publications and he has had over $500,000 i n recearch grants and contracts in the past five years 1Dr Anderson is 3 senior member of IEEE He is an active member of the IEEXPES Poaer S) s t e m Engineenng C o m t t e e and the following subcommttees and uorking groups I ) Power System Operations Subconmttee 2 1 Joint Control Center Working Group, 3) Working Group on Operator Training where he served as Chairman for 10 years and 4) Full Graiphics A orAing Group He has been responcible for paper cessions, panel ses'ioni and vorkshops for these groups In addition, he is a revlewer of technical paper5 for the IEEE-PES summer and winter meetings, and s u b q u e n t publication in the IEEE transactions on Power Systems He is past Charman of the Rolla Subsection of the IEEE He I S a member of Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, Slgma Xi and a regstered professional enpneer i n the states of Missouri and Oklahoma, and the pro\ince of Ontano Canada