Simulated power system restoration

Outage time after extensive blackouts depends very much on the power system restoration process. Power system restoration is a very challenging task to the operator since the situation is so far from normal conditions. This paper proposes a simulation-based tool that determines a feasible sequence of operator actions that restores power system operation. The effect of each candidate switching operation or setpoint change is evaluated mainly in terms of restored load and the predicted steady state voltage and frequency. Application to the CIGRE NORDIC32 test system shows that operation is fully restored from complete blackout after about 750 actions including network switching and gradual connection of system loads. The main applications of the methodology are off-line use for surveying new restoration strategies and on-line use for suggesting the next action to the operator.