Improving robustness and modeling generality for power flow analysis

In this paper we present an equivalent circuit model for power system networks that facilitates robust and efficient AC power flow simulation and enables the incorporation of more generalized bus and line models. The circuit equations are formulated in terms of voltages and currents in rectangular coordinates using a graph theoretic algorithm that provides for optimal numerical conditioning. A current-source based generator model is introduced that provides for more robust and efficient convergence as compared to our original approach. We show that the proposed framework supports nonlinear models with insensitivity to the initial guess and converges in few iterations. We illustrate the capabilities of generalized modeling by deriving a model for a grid-connected solar panel system that includes AC, DC and semiconductor components.