Scaling Electromagnetic Transient Simulations in the Cloud: Experiences and Insights

Concepts de base

The rapid growth of inverter-based resources in power systems has increased the need for computationally intensive Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) simulations. Traditional on-premises computing infrastructure struggles to meet the growing demands, prompting the exploration of cloud-based solutions.

Résumé

The paper discusses the experience of ISO New England (ISO-NE) in deploying a cloud-based platform for large-scale EMT simulations using Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Key highlights:

The power system in New England is rapidly transitioning to renewable energy sources, with 97% of the interconnection queue consisting of inverter-based resources (IBRs). This has increased the need for EMT simulations, which are computationally intensive due to small time steps and complex modeling.
Traditional transient stability analysis is insufficient to capture the unique performance characteristics of IBRs, making EMT simulations more crucial.
ISO-NE has been using a high-performance computing (HPC) platform on AWS for various planning studies, which prompted the exploration of cloud-based EMT simulations.
The cloud-based EMT simulation platform was designed using AWS services, including AppStream 2.0 for secure desktop streaming, EC2 instances for computing power, and FSx for Windows for high-performance file storage.
Benchmark testing was conducted to compare the performance of the cloud-based platform with on-premises hardware, demonstrating the scalability and cost-effectiveness of the cloud-based solution, especially for large-scale EMT simulations.
Comprehensive security measures were implemented, including the use of a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), security groups, data encryption, and identity and access management.
The paper discusses potential future improvements, such as the use of Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and on-premises license servers, to further optimize the cloud-based EMT simulation platform.

Stats

ISO-NE's generation interconnection queue as of June 2023 has 97% of 35 GW consisting of IBRs.
ISO-NE's forecast shows behind-the-meter PV installations growing from 6 GW in 2023 to 12 GW by 2032.
The Australian Energy Market Operator's EMT case has 3,700 buses and 140 detailed IBR models.
ISO-NE's Western Massachusetts DER cluster case has 485 buses and 94 detailed models.

Citations

"EMT modeling and simulation has started to become more popular in recent years to study IBR control interactions, sub-synchronous oscillations, weak grid instability, and fault ride-through performance, etc."
"A typical EMT simulation run normally takes much more time (by a few orders of magnitude) than a TS simulation, hours vs. minutes."

Idées clés tirées de

Cloud Deployment of Large-Scale Electromagnetic Transient Simulation -- Discovery and Experiences

by Xiaochuan Lu... à arxiv.org 09-24-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2409.15061.pdf

Questions plus approfondies

How can the cloud-based EMT simulation platform be further integrated with other power system analysis tools and workflows to enable a more comprehensive and seamless decision-making process?

The cloud-based Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) simulation platform can be further integrated with other power system analysis tools and workflows by adopting a modular architecture that facilitates interoperability among various software applications. This can be achieved through the following strategies:

API Development: Developing Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that allow the EMT simulation platform to communicate with other power system analysis tools, such as Siemens PSS/E for transient stability analysis, GE MARS for resource adequacy, and PowerGem TARA for contingency analysis. This would enable seamless data exchange and allow users to run integrated studies that combine EMT simulations with other analytical methods.

Data Management Systems: Implementing a centralized data management system that consolidates data from various sources, including real-time grid data, historical performance metrics, and simulation results. This system can facilitate data sharing across different tools, ensuring that all analyses are based on the most current and relevant information.

Workflow Automation: Utilizing cloud-based orchestration tools to automate workflows that involve multiple analysis tools. For instance, a user could set up a workflow that automatically runs an EMT simulation followed by a transient stability analysis, with results from one tool feeding directly into the next. This would streamline the decision-making process and reduce the time required for comprehensive analysis.

User Interface Integration: Creating a unified user interface that allows engineers to access multiple tools from a single platform. This could involve integrating dashboards that display results from various analyses, enabling users to visualize the impact of different scenarios on the power system in real-time.

Collaboration Features: Incorporating collaboration features that allow multiple stakeholders to work on simulations and analyses simultaneously. This could include shared workspaces, version control, and real-time commenting, which would enhance communication and decision-making among teams.

By implementing these strategies, the cloud-based EMT simulation platform can become a central hub for power system analysis, enabling more informed and timely decision-making processes.

What are the potential challenges and considerations in transitioning from the pilot deployment to a production-level implementation of the cloud-based EMT simulation platform?

Transitioning from a pilot deployment to a production-level implementation of the cloud-based EMT simulation platform involves several challenges and considerations:

Scalability: Ensuring that the cloud infrastructure can scale effectively to handle increased workloads and user demand is critical. This includes evaluating the performance of various instance types and configurations to ensure they can accommodate larger simulations and more concurrent users without degradation in performance.

Cost Management: As the platform scales, managing costs becomes a significant concern. It is essential to implement cost-monitoring tools and establish budgets to prevent unexpected expenses. This may involve optimizing resource allocation and usage patterns to take advantage of the cloud's pay-as-you-go pricing model.

Security and Compliance: Transitioning to a production environment necessitates a thorough review of security protocols and compliance with industry regulations, such as NERC CIP. This includes ensuring robust data encryption, access controls, and regular security audits to protect sensitive information and maintain regulatory compliance.

Integration with Existing Systems: The production-level implementation must integrate seamlessly with existing IT infrastructure and workflows. This may require additional development work to ensure compatibility with legacy systems and other analytical tools used within the organization.

User Training and Support: As the platform becomes more widely used, providing adequate training and support for users is essential. This includes developing training materials, conducting workshops, and establishing a support system to address user inquiries and technical issues.

Performance Monitoring and Optimization: Continuous monitoring of the platform's performance is necessary to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement. This may involve implementing performance metrics and analytics to assess the efficiency of simulations and user interactions.

By addressing these challenges and considerations, ISO New England can successfully transition the cloud-based EMT simulation platform to a production-level implementation, enhancing its capabilities for power system analysis.

How can the cloud-based EMT simulation platform be leveraged to support the integration of emerging technologies, such as distributed energy resources and microgrids, into the power system planning and operations?

The cloud-based EMT simulation platform can play a pivotal role in supporting the integration of emerging technologies, such as distributed energy resources (DERs) and microgrids, into power system planning and operations through the following approaches:

Advanced Modeling Capabilities: The platform can facilitate the development of sophisticated models that accurately represent the behavior of DERs, including solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, and energy storage systems. By simulating the interactions between these resources and the grid, engineers can assess their impact on system stability, reliability, and performance.

Scenario Analysis: The cloud-based platform allows for the rapid execution of multiple simulation scenarios, enabling planners to evaluate various configurations of DERs and microgrids under different operating conditions. This capability is essential for understanding how these technologies can be integrated into the existing grid while maintaining reliability and performance.

Real-Time Data Integration: By leveraging cloud technology, the EMT simulation platform can integrate real-time data from smart meters, sensors, and other IoT devices deployed within microgrids and DERs. This data can be used to inform simulations, allowing for dynamic modeling that reflects current grid conditions and resource availability.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: The cloud-based platform can enhance collaboration among stakeholders, including utilities, regulators, and technology providers. By providing a shared environment for simulation and analysis, stakeholders can work together to identify optimal strategies for integrating DERs and microgrids into the power system.

Regulatory Compliance and Reporting: The platform can assist in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements related to the integration of DERs and microgrids. By providing detailed simulation results and documentation, utilities can demonstrate adherence to standards and facilitate the approval process for new technologies.

Optimization of Operations: The insights gained from EMT simulations can inform operational strategies for managing DERs and microgrids, such as optimal dispatch of resources, demand response strategies, and fault management. This can lead to more efficient and resilient grid operations.

By leveraging the capabilities of the cloud-based EMT simulation platform, power system planners and operators can effectively integrate emerging technologies, enhancing the overall resilience and sustainability of the power grid.