A database for diverse power system simulation applications

The authors describe a database capable of supporting a diverse set of power system simulation applications ranging from harmonics and transient analysis to conventional load flow and short-circuit calculations. The wide range of applications requires that the data be modeled in a more basic, or lower-level, form than is required for many traditional power system analysis programs. The need for the database, the design objectives, and the evolution of the design are described. A strictly relational database was attempted at first. Difficulties in modeling complex data structures resulted in changing the database to a more object-oriented form. Several of the key data structures are presented as well as typical programming techniques for accessing the database