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Simple Weather Example

This example introduces the basic functionality of PowerWorld Simulator’s weather integration capability and how other features, such as contouring and geographic data views (GDV), can enhance visualization and interpretation of how the weather can impact wind and solar generation. The files may be downloaded here.

To apply the weather data and visualize results:

  1. Open the case (ACTIVSg10kWeather.pwb).
  2. Open the Weather dialog from the Tools ribbon -> Weather -> Weather Models and Information. Go to the “Power Flow Weather (PFW) Models” tab.
  3. Click “Load PFW Model Aux File” and select the aux file “ACTIVSg10kPFW.aux” to import generator weather models.
    • These models describe how solar capacity is affected by cloud cover percentage and how wind generation is impacted by wind speed at 100m elevation above ground level.
    • They assume a basic solar model and that all wind generators are IEC Class 2 (medium wind, 8.5 m/s average annual wind speed. Simulator currently has models for wind classes 1, 2, 3, and 4.
    • You can browse the weather model assignments at the “Power Flow Weather (PFW) Models” tab and the sub tabs “PFW Model Summary”, “PFW Models All”, and “Generator PFW Models”. These are presented in a manner similar to that of transient stability models (machine, exciter, governor, etc.).
  4. Click “Load PFW Model Aux File” and select the aux file “Weather_NorthAmerica_12252022_18UTC.aux” to import the weather station data.
    • This file has geo-coordinates for the stations and associated weather readings for temperature, dew point, cloud cover, wind speed, solar irradiance, and insolation corresponding to December 25, 2022 at 18:00 UTC.
    • You can browse this data on the “Weather Stations” tab.
  5. Open the one-line diagram “NorthAmerica_CloudCoverPercent.pwd” (if it did not automatically load with the case) and select the saved view “Western” (from Onelines -> Save View).
    • This will apply a contour showing the cloud cover percentage. Most of the west is experiencing heavy cloud cover, which should have an adverse impact on solar generation.
    • The yellow ovals from the GDV represent substations with solar generation. The size of the oval is proportional to the maximum MW capability.
  6. Open the one-line diagram “NorthAmerica_Windmsec100m.pwd” (if it did not automatically load with the case) and select the saved view “Western” (from Onelines -> Save View).
    • This will apply a contour showing wind speed at 100m. Most of the west is experiencing light wind, except the northern high plains cover and a few other isolated spots.
    • The green ovals from the GDV represent substations with wind generation. The size of the oval is proportional to the maximum MW capability.
  7. Return to the Weather Related Models and Information dialog and select the “Power Flow Weather (PFW) Models” tab. Click the button “Update PFW Weather Information; Apply to Power System”.
    • This will adjust the wind and solar generation maximum MW capability to reflect the local weather conditions.
    • Returning to the one-line diagrams, note how the size of the GDV substation ovals adjusted.
    • Optionally solve the power flow. The MW control settings (west-wide super area with renewable units fixed, i.e. AGC = NO) require that coal and natural gas units generally increase output to compensate for low availability of wind and solar. A few renewables increase in regions that have sufficient sun and/or wind.
    • The images below show the base case and the weather-adjusted case visualizations with the wind speed contour. Note how the green ovals are generally larger inside regions of high wind speed.
  8. To restore the original Gen MW maximum for wind and solar units, return to the Weather Related Models and Information dialog and select the “Power Flow Weather (PFW) Models” tab and click the button “Restore Design PFW Values”.
 

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February 12, 2024