Auxiliary Files and Script Commands
PowerWorld has incorporated the ability to import data from data sources other than power flow models into PowerWorld Simulator. The text file interface for exchanging data, as well as for executing batch script commands, is represented by the auxiliary files. The script language and auxiliary data formats are incorporated together.
Script/Data files are called auxiliary files in Simulator and typically have the file extension .AUX. These files mostly contain information about power system elements and options for running the various tools in Simulator. They do not contain any information about the individual display objects contained on a one-line diagram. There are separate files called display auxiliary files that are available for importing display data/to from Simulator in a text format. These files are distinguished from the data auxiliary files by using the extension .AXD. The format syntax for these two types of files is identical, but different object types and script commands are supported by each and require that the files be read separately.
Both file types will generically be referred to as auxiliary files. An auxiliary file may be comprised of one or more DATA or SCRIPT sections. A DATA section provides specific data for a specific type of object. A SCRIPT section provides a list of script actions for Simulator to perform. Additionally, there are places in Simulator where script commands can be used outside the confines of an auxiliary file.
A complete description of the DATA and SCRIPT sections for both case auxiliary (.AUX) and display auxiliary (.AXD) files can be found in a separate PDF document. This document is included with the installation of Simulator and can be opened from the Window ribbon tab by selecting Auxiliary File Format. If the file does not open for some reason, the file can obtained in the help directly .
There are a few options within the user interface which directly relate to the AUX and AXD files. These options are available on both the Case Information Toolbar and on the Simulator Options Dialog under the Case Information Category. The import options are as follows
- Key Fields to Use : specifies how various fields that refer to an object are written or displayed. For example the ObjectID field available with most object.
- Use Concise Variable names and Auxiliary File Headers : Specifies if the concise variable names are used as well as new concise AUX file headers when writing to an auxiliary file or when showing variable names in the column headers of case information displays
The following Auxiliary DATA seconds are written using the legacy variable names and using the older auxiliary file header using the keyword DATA.
DATA (Gen, [BusName_NomVolt, GenID, GenPostCTGPreventAGC, GenParFac:1, CTGMakupGen, GenUseLDCRCC, GenXLDCRCC],
AUXDEF, YES)
{
"Gen 'Texan_69.0' '1'" "NO" same 22.0 "NO" 0.0001
"Gen 'Jet_69.0' '1'" "YES" 88.0 "" "PostCTG" 0.0512
}
DATA (Gen, [BusNum, GenID, GenPostCTGPreventAGC, GenParFac:1,
CTGMakupGen, GenUseLDCRCC, GenXLDCRCC], AUXDEF, YES)
{
"Gen 77 '1'" "RESPOND" same 0.0 "NO" 0.0001
"Gen 55 '1'" "NO" same "" "NO" 0.0001
}
By changing to use the concise header format, concise variable names, and the special field ObjectID, the same information can be written in an Auxiliary file as follows instead.
Gen (ObjectID, CTGPreventAGC, CTGPartFact, CTGMaxResp, UseLineDrop, Xcomp)
{
"Gen 'Texan_69.0' '1'" "NO" same 22.0 "NO" 0.0001
"Gen 'Jet_69.0' '1'" "YES" 88.0 "" "PostCTG" 0.0512
"Gen 77 '1'" "RESPOND" same 0.0 "NO" 0.0001
"Gen 55 '1'" "NO" same "" "NO" 0.0001
}