PSSE for Human Factor Research
Enhancing Operator Performance Through Real-Time Grid Simulation
The Challenge
Electric grid operators must constantly monitor and control complex power systems to ensure stability and reliability. However, traditional control center designs may not adequately account for human factors, leading to inefficiencies, slow response times, and increased risk of operator errors. Without a tool that realistically simulates real-time grid operations and human interactions, researchers and engineers struggle to design control systems that improve operator performance and decision-making.
How It Works
This Electric Grid Simulator is a virtual representation of an electrical grid and its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, providing real-time insights into operator interactions. Designed to simulate real-time monitoring and control of the west area of the IEEE 118-bus system, it helps evaluate control center designs and optimize operator workflows.
• Real-Time Grid Operations: Simulates system behavior with high-frequency updates.
• Dynamic Load Profiling: 24-hour bus load profiles are scaled using California ISO’s Day-Ahead Load Forecast (May 1, 2024).
• Automated Grid Control (AGC): Dispatches AGC signals every minute to maintain grid stability.
• Power Flow Analysis: Runs time-series power flow calculations every 4 seconds to track real-time grid performance.
• Contingency Analysis: Conducts N-1 contingency studies every 5 minutes, identifying grid vulnerabilities.
• Automated Line Tripping & Recovery: Simulates power line failures, automatically updating dispatch and rerunning power flow analysis after each event.
Key Advantages
• Operator-Centered Research: Helps design more efficient and intuitive grid control centers.
• Real-Time Grid Simulation: Provides a high-fidelity environment for testing operator responses.
• Advanced Grid Analytics: Tracks AGC performance, contingency handling, and power flow stability in real-time.
• Human Factor Evaluation: Supports research into operator workload, error rates, and interface design.
• SCADA System Testing: Assesses control center configurations in a risk-free simulation environment.
Market Applications
• Human Factor Researchers – Study operator behavior, cognitive load, and decision-making in grid control centers.
• Power System Engineers – Test grid control strategies, assess contingency responses, and optimize automation.
• Utility Companies & Grid Operators – Improve SCADA interface design and control room ergonomics.
• Academic Institutions – Train future power system engineers in a realistic simulation environment.
This software is open source and available at no cost. Download now by visiting the product's GitHub page.