Supercomputing for power system analysis

A computing center for power system analysis (PSA) was created in 1989 by Hydro-Quebec. This center is the first of its kind to provide supercomputing facilities strictly devoted to PSA activities. The center´s computing facilities are described. Basic information on supercomputer vector processing, including its potential and limitations, is presented. Code conversion issues are discussed, and experiences from recent studies where the high speed of supercomputing was required and appreciated were related. Three application examples illustrating different ways supercomputing contributed to improved productivity and/or influenced working methodology in system planning are presented.<>