Graph Computing Based Distributed Parallel Power Flow for AC/DC Systems with Improved Initial Estimate

Abstract

The sequential method is easy to integrate with existing large-scale alternating current (AC) power flow solvers and is therefore a common approach for solving the power flow of AC/direct current (DC) hybrid systems. In this paper, a high-performance graph computing based distributed parallel implementation of the sequential method with an improved initial estimate approach for hybrid AC/DC systems is developed. The proposed approach is capable of speeding up the entire computation process without compromising the accuracy of result. First, the AC/DC network is intuitively represented by a graph and stored in a graph database (GDB) to expedite data processing. Considering the interconnection of AC grids via high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links, the network is subsequently partitioned into independent areas which are naturally fit for distributed power flow analysis. For each area, the fast-decoupled power flow (FDPF) is employed with node-based parallel computing (NPC) and hierarchical parallel computing (HPC) to quickly identify system states. Furthermore, to reduce the alternate iterations in the sequential method, a new decoupled approach is utilized to achieve a good initial estimate for the Newton-Raphson method. With the improved initial estimate, the sequential method can converge in fewer iterations. Consequently, the proposed approach allows for significant reduction in computing time and is able to meet the requirement of the real-time analysis platform for power system. The performance is verified on standard IEEE 300-bus system, extended large-scale systems, and a practical 11119-bus system in China.