Tutorial 1

Powerworld Simulator based Optimal Power Flow (OPF)

A two bus two generator two load one transmission line system is modeled using
Powerworld simulator to understand the concept of optimal power flow.

As shown in Fig. 1 Bus A and Bus B have generation as 203 MW and 397 MW. The
incremental cost for generator on Bus A and Bus B is 13.02 $/MWh. The transmission cost
is taken as average of cost on connecting (line ends) buses; Bus A and Bus B. So the cost
is $13.02/MWh. The local load on Bus A and Bus B is 300 MW each respectively.

Total Hourly Cost : 8459 $/h

13.02 $/MWh
A

81%
MVA

Bus A 13.02 $/MWh Bus B 13.02 $/MWh

slack

300.0 MW 300.0 MW
203.0 MW 397.0 MW
AGC ON AGC ON

Fig.1 Generation and Demand on Bus A and Bus B with incremental cost.

16.0 16.0

12.0 12.0

8.0 8.0

4.0 4.0

0.0 0.0
0 150 300 450 600 0 175 350 525 700
Generator Power (MW) Generator Power (MW)

Fig. 2 Incremental cost curve for Gen.1 Fig. 3 generators Incremental cost
in $/MWh
 Total Hourly Cost : 9910 $/h

14.36 $/MWh
A

MVA

Bus A 14.36 $/MWh Bus B 14.36 $/MWh

slack

400.0 MW 300.0 MW
400.0 MW 300.0 MW
AGC ON AGC ON

Fig. 4 All generators Incremental cost in $/MWh (203 MW and 397 MW Generation)

Now with Gen. 1 and Gen. 2 maximum power limit is set for 400 MW and 300 MW
respectively with same demand on their respective buses. The incremental cost is 14.36
$/MWh. Slight increase from base case.

Now with every 1 MW demand either at Bus A or Bus B will violate the generator output
constraint and will lead to very large cost involved on both buses and equally on
transmission line.

As shown in Fig. 5 the cost involved in meeting with additional demand of 10 MW at Bus 1
to be met by Gen. 2 5000 $/MWh. Gen 2 as it is in swing mode, will supply additional 10
MW demand on Bus A.

Total Hourly Cost : 10038 $/h

5000.00 $/MWh
A

MVA

Bus A 5000.00 $/MWh Bus B 5000.00 $/MWh

slack

410.0 MW 300.0 MW
400.0 MW 310.0 MW
AGC ON AGC ON

Fig. 5 Generator constraint for Max. Output violation

Further to this suppose a line is set for a maximum limit of 200 MW flow capability, and if
demand is 600 MW and 450 MW on the Bus A and Bus B respectively with 400 MW
generation by Gen. on Bus A, then Gen 2 on Bus B will supply 200 MW. The limit of
transmission line is hit and the outcome is still increased cost on Bus A i.e. 6068.17
$/MWh. At Bus B it is 5000 $/MWh. The cost to transmit power through line is 5534.08
$/MWh. This is average of the cost at two buses.

Total Hourly Cost : 14547 $/h

5534.08 $/MWh
A

102%
MVA

Bus A 6068.17 $/MWh Bus B 5000.00 $/MWh

slack

600.0 MW 450.0 MW
400.0 MW 650.0 MW
AGC ON AGC ON

Fig. 5 Generator constraint for Max. Output along with Line flow constraint violation
Fig. 6 OPF summary