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Hantao Cui

Publications and source records attributed to Hantao Cui.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Network Interdependency-Informed Power System Dynamic Trajectory Prediction Utilizing Black-Box Modeling of Multiple Inverter-Based Resources

Black-box modeling of inverter-based resources (IBRs) has attracted growing interest for real-time grid operation and control in the presence of proprietary electronic control architectures. Existing machine learning (ML)-based online dynamic trajectory prediction approaches using IBR black-box models either significantly accumulate prediction errors when multiple surrogates are simultaneously used or ignore measurement errors, limiting their deployment in practical grids. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel network interdependency-informed ML algorithm for online dynamic trajectory prediction in IBR-integrated power systems. A modular spatiotemporal attention network (STAN)-based predictor for the black-box modeling of each IBR unit is first proposed. Utilizing past measurements, the proposed STAN can effectively capture and predict the spatiotemporal dynamics of IBRs by employing an attention mechanism to attend to the most pertinent features for trajectory prediction. Furthermore, a novel hybrid physics-informed loss function that integrates a decoupled linearized AC power flow formulation is proposed. The proposed loss function effectively ensures physical consistency of predictions within network operation while avoiding the computational complexity of iterative power flow solving, thereby enabling efficient gradient backpropagation and overall improved prediction accuracy. Case studies on the IEEE 14- and WECC 179-bus systems demonstrate that the proposed method achieves significant accuracy enhancement and robustness against measurement errors, outperforming recent ML-based trajectory prediction methods.

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Homotopy-Based Re-Initialization for Switched DAEs in Power System Transient Simulation

The simultaneous solution of switched differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) in power system transient simulation may suffer convergence loss following discontinuous events. This difficulty is typically interpreted as a poor post-event initialization problem. This letter presents a geometric framework that explains the underlying convergence mechanism and clarifies why standard convergence-restoration methods may fail at discontinuities. Based on this interpretation, a homotopy-continuation based globalized re-initialization scheme is developed to restore convergence. The proposed method is validated through numerical simulations of representative discontinuities in power system transient simulation. Results show that in the cases where direct post-event solution fails, the proposed scheme can reliably recover convergence.

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2024 NSF CSSI-Cybertraining-SCIPE PI Meeting August 12 to 13, 2024, Charlotte, NC

The second annual NSF, OAC CSSI, CyberTraining and related programs PI meeting was held August 12 to 13 in Charlotte, NC, with participation from PIs or representatives of all major awards. Keynotes, panels, breakouts, and poster sessions allowed PIs to engage with each other, NSF staff, and invited experts. The 286 attendees represented 292 awards across CSSI, CyberTraining, OAC Core, CIP, SCIPE CDSE, and related programs, and presented over 250 posters. This report documents the meetings structure, findings, and recommendations, offering a snapshot of current community perspectives on cyberinfrastructure. A key takeaway is a vibrant, engaged community advancing science through CI. AI-driven research modalities complement established HPC and data centric tools. Workforce development efforts align well with the CSSI community.

cs.ET

A Virtual Admittance-Based Fault Current Limiting Method for Grid-Forming Inverters

Inverter-based resources (IBRs) are a key component in the ongoing modernization of power systems, with grid-forming (GFM) inverters playing a central role. Effective fault current limiting is a major challenge to modernizing power systems through increased penetration of GFM inverters. Due to their voltage-source nature, GFM inverters offer no direct control over the output current and, therefore, are susceptible to high fault currents. This vulnerability is especially pronounced during large phase jumps, a condition overlooked by most fault current limiting methods. This paper proposes a hybrid fault current limiting method implemented through a virtual admittance by leveraging the advantages of two virtual impedance (VI)-based methods tailored for three-phase faults and phase jump disturbances. Electromagnetic transient simulations conducted in MATLAB-Simulink demonstrate the method's effectiveness across various disturbances, validating its potential in single-loop GFM structures.

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Improving Numerical Stability and Accuracy in Partitioned Methods with Algebraic Prediction

The partitioned approach for the numerical integration of power system differential algebraic equations faces inherent numerical stability challenges due to delays between the computation of state and algebraic variables. Such delays can compromise solution accuracy and computational efficiency, particularly in large-scale system simulations. We present an $O(h^2)$-accurate prediction scheme for algebraic variables based on forward and backward difference formulas, applied before the correction step of numerical integration. The scheme improves the numerical stability of the partitioned approach while maintaining computational efficiency. Through numerical simulations on a lightly damped single machine infinite bus system and a large-scale 140-bus network, we demonstrate that the proposed method, when combined with variable time-stepping, significantly enhances the numerical stability, solution accuracy, and computational performance of the simulation. Results show reduced step rejections, fewer nonlinear solver iterations, and improved accuracy compared to conventional approaches, making the method particularly valuable for large-scale power system dynamic simulations.

math.NA

Bus Admittance Matrix Revisited: Is It Outdated on Modern Computers?

Bus admittance matrix is widely used in power engineering for modeling networks. Being highly sparse, it requires fewer CPU operations when used for calculations. Meanwhile, sparse matrix calculations involve numerous indexing and scalar operations, which are unfavorable to modern processors. Without using the admittance matrix, nodal power injections and the corresponding sparse Jacobian can be computed by an element-wise method, which consists of a highly regular, vectorized evaluation step and a reduction step. This paper revisits the admittance matrix from the computational performance perspective by comparing it with the element-wise method. Case studies show that the admittance matrix method is generally slower than the element-wise method for grid test cases with thousands to hundreds of thousands of buses, especially on CPUs with support for wide vector instructions. This paper also analyzes the impact of the width of vector instructions and memory speed to predict the trend for future computers.

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DiME and AGVis: A Distributed Messaging Environment and Geographical Visualizer for Large-scale Power System Simulation

This paper introduces the messaging environment and the geographical visualization tool of the CURENT Large-scale Testbed (LTB) that can be used for large-scale power system closed-loop simulation. First, Distributed Messaging Environment (DiME) implements an asynchronous shared workspace to enable high-concurrent data exchange. Second, Another Grid Visualizer (AGVis) is presented as a geovisualization tool that facilitates the visualization of real-time power system simulation. Third, case studies show the use of DiME and AGVis. The results demonstrate that, with the modular structure, the LTB is capable of not only federal use for real-time, large-scale power system simulation, but also independent use for customized power system research.

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Virtual Inertia Scheduling for Power Systems with High Penetration of Inverter-based Resources

This paper proposes a new concept called virtual inertia scheduling (VIS) to efficiently handle the high penetration of inverter-based resources (IBRs). VIS is an inertia management framework that targets security-constrained and economy-oriented inertia scheduling and generation dispatch of power systems with a large scale of renewable generations. Specifically, it schedules the proper power setting points and reserved capacities of both synchronous generators and IBRs, as well as the control modes and control parameters of IBRs to provide secure and cost-effective inertia support. First, a uniform system model is employed to quantify the frequency dynamics of the IBRs-penetrated power system after disturbances. Based on the model, the s-domain and time-domain analytical responses of IBRs with inertia support capability are derived. Then, VIS-based real-time economic dispatch (VIS-RTED) is formulated to minimize generation and reserve costs, with a full consideration of dynamic frequency constraints and derived inertia support reserve constraints. The virtual inertia and damping of IBRs are formulated as decision variables. To address the non-linearity of dynamic constraints, deep learning-assisted linearization is employed to solve the optimization problem. Finally, the proposed VIS-RTED is demonstrated on a modified IEEE 39-bus system. A full-order time-domain simulation is performed to verify the scheduling results.

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Impact of Internal Algebraic Variable Treatment on Transient Stability Simulation Performance

It is a general notion that, in transient stability simulations, reducing the number of algebraic variables for the differential-algebraic equations (DAE) can improve the simulation performance. Many simulation programs split algebraic variables internal to a dynamic model from the full DAE and evaluate them outside each iterative step, using results from the previous iteration. The updated internal variables are then treated as constants when solving for the current iteration. This letter discusses how such a split formulation can impact simulation performance. Case studies using various systems with synchronous generator and converter models demonstrate the impact of the split on the convergence pattern and simulation performance.

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Decentralized and Coordinated Vf Control for Islanded Microgrids Considering DER Inadequacy and Demand Control

This paper proposes a decentralized and coordinated voltage and frequency (Vf) control framework for islanded microgrids, with full consideration of the limited capacity of distributed energy resources (DERs) and Vf dependent load. First, the concept of DER inadequacy is illustrated with the challenges it poses. Then, a decentralized and coordinated control framework is proposed to regulate the output of inverter based generations and reallocate limited DER capacity for Vf control. The control framework is composed of a power regulator and a Vf regulator, which generates the supplementary signals for the primary controller. The power regulator regulates the output of grid forming inverters according to the real time capacity constraints of DERs, while the Vf regulator improves the Vf deviation by leveraging the load sensitivity to Vf. Next, the static feasibility and small signal stability of the proposed method are rigorously proven through mathematical formulation and eigenvalue analysis. Finally, a MATLAB Simulink simulation demonstrates the functionalities of the control framework. A few goals are fulfilled within the decentralized and coordinated framework, such as making the best use of limited DERs capacity, enhancing the DC side stability of inverter based generations, and reducing involuntary load shedding.

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Fusion of Model-free Reinforcement Learning with Microgrid Control: Review and Vision

Challenges and opportunities coexist in microgrids as a result of emerging large-scale distributed energy resources (DERs) and advanced control techniques. In this paper, a comprehensive review of microgrid control is presented with its fusion of model-free reinforcement learning (MFRL). A high-level research map of microgrid control is developed from six distinct perspectives, followed by bottom-level modularized control blocks illustrating the configurations of grid-following (GFL) and grid-forming (GFM) inverters. Then, mainstream MFRL algorithms are introduced with an explanation of how MFRL can be integrated into the existing control framework. Next, the application guideline of MFRL is summarized with a discussion of three fusing approaches, i.e., model identification and parameter tuning, supplementary signal generation, and controller substitution, with the existing control framework. Finally, the fundamental challenges associated with adopting MFRL in microgrid control and corresponding insights for addressing these concerns are fully discussed.

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Andes_gym: A Versatile Environment for Deep Reinforcement Learning in Power Systems

This paper presents Andes_gym, a versatile and high-performance reinforcement learning environment for power system studies. The environment leverages the modeling and simulation capability of ANDES and the reinforcement learning (RL) environment OpenAI Gym to enable the prototyping and demonstration of RL algorithms for power systems. The architecture of the proposed software tool is elaborated to provide the observation and action interfaces for RL algorithms. An example is shown to rapidly prototype a load-frequency control algorithm based on RL trained by available algorithms. The proposed environment is highly generalized by supporting all the power system dynamic models available in ANDES and numerous RL algorithms available for OpenAI Gym.

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Encoding Frequency Constraints in Preventive Unit Commitment Using Deep Learning with Region-of-Interest Active Sampling

With the increasing penetration of renewable energy, frequency response and its security are of significant concerns for reliable power system operations. Frequency-constrained unit commitment (FCUC) is proposed to address this challenge. Despite existing efforts in modeling frequency characteristics in unit commitment (UC), current strategies can only handle oversimplified low-order frequency response models and do not consider wide-range operating conditions. This paper presents a generic data-driven framework for FCUC under high renewable penetration. Deep neural networks (DNNs) are trained to predict the frequency response using real data or high-fidelity simulation data. Next, the DNN is reformulated as a set of mixed-integer linear constraints to be incorporated into the ordinary UC formulation. In the data generation phase, all possible power injections are considered, and a region-of-interests active sampling is proposed to include power injection samples with frequency nadirs closer to the UFLC threshold, which significantly enhances the accuracy of frequency constraints in FCUC. The proposed FCUC is verified on the the IEEE 39-bus system. Then, a full-order dynamic model simulation using PSS/E verifies the effectiveness of FCUC in frequency-secure generator commitments.

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Transmission-and-Distribution Frequency Dynamic Co-Simulation Framework for Distributed Energy Resources Frequency Response

The rapid deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution networks has brought challenges to balance the system and stabilize frequency. DERs have the ability to provide frequency regulation; however, existing dynamic frequency simulation tools-which were developed mainly for the transmission system-lack the capability to simulate distribution network dynamics with high penetrations of DERs. Although electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation tools can simulate distribution network dynamics, the computation efficiency limits their use for large-scale transmission-and-distribution (T&D) simulations. This paper presents an efficient T&D dynamic frequency co-simulation framework for DER frequency response based on the HELICS platform and existing off-the-shelf simulators. The challenge of synchronizing frequency between the transmission network and DERs hosted in the distribution network is approached by detailed modeling of DERs in frequency dynamic models while DER phasor models are also preserved in the distribution networks. Thereby, local voltage constraints can be respected when dispatching the DER power for frequency response. The DER frequency responses (primary and secondary)-are simulated in case studies to validate the proposed framework. Lastly, fault-induced delayed voltage recovery (FIDVR) event of a large system is presented to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall framework.

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Effective Parallelism for Equation and Jacobian Evaluation in Power Flow Calculation

This letter investigates parallelism approaches for equation and Jacobian evaluations in large-scale power flow calculation. Two levels of parallelism are proposed and analyzed: inter-model parallelism, which evaluates models in parallel, and intra-model parallelism, which evaluates calculations within each model in parallel. Parallelism techniques such as multi-threading and single instruction multiple data (SIMD) vectorization are discussed, implemented, and benchmarked as six calculation workflows. Case studies on the 70,000-bus synthetic grid show that equation evaluations can be accelerated by ten times, and the overall Newton power flow advances the state of the art by 20%.

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Mass-Matrix Differential-Algebraic Equation Formulation for Transient Stability Simulation

This letter proposes a mass-matrix differential-algebraic equation (DAE) formulation for transient stability simulation. This formulation has two prominent advantages: compatible with a multitude of implicit DAE solvers and can be conveniently implemented based on the traditional formulation, for example, by separating the parameters in denominators into the diagonals of the mass matrix. It also allows reducing the dynamics using null time constants. Benchmark studies are presented on the time and accuracy of 17 implicit solvers for the proposed formulation using the Kundur's two-area system and a 2,000 bus system.

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On the Modeling and Simulation of Anti-Windup Proportional-Integral Controller

This paper investigates the chattering and deadlock behaviors of the proportional-integral (PI) controller with an anti-windup (AW) limiter recommended by the IEEE Standard 421.5-2016. Depending on the simulation method, the controller may enter a chattering or deadlock state in some combinations of parameters and inputs. Chattering and deadlock are analyzed in the context of three numerical integration approaches: explicit partitioned method (EPM), execution-list based method (ELM), and implicit trapezoidal method (ITM). This paper derives the chattering stop condition for EPM and ELP, and analyzes the impacts of step size and convergence tolerance for simultaneous method. The deduced chattering stop conditions and deadlock behavior is verified with numerical simulations.

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Hybrid Symbolic-Numeric Framework for Power System Modeling and Analysis

With the recent proliferation of open-source packages for computing, power system differential-algebraic equation (DAE) modeling and simulation are being revisited to reduce the programming efforts. Existing open-source tools require manual efforts to develop code for numerical equations, sparse Jacobians, and discontinuous components. This paper proposes a hybrid symbolic-numeric framework, exemplified by an open-source Python-based library ANDES, which consists of a symbolic layer for descriptive modeling and a numeric layer for vector-based numerical computation. This method enables the implementation of DAE models by mixing and matching modeling components, through which models are described. In the framework, a rich set of discontinuous components and standard transfer function blocks are provided besides essential modeling elements for rapid modeling. ANDES can automatically generate robust and fast numerical simulation code, as well as and high-quality documentation. Case studies present a) two implementations of turbine governor model TGOV1, b) power flow computation time break down for MATPOWER systems, c) validation of time-domain simulation with commercial software using three test systems with a variety of models, and d) the full eigenvalue analysis for Kundur's system. Validation shows that ANDES closely matches the commercial tool DSATools for power flow, time-domain simulation, and eigenvalue analysis.

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