Power system modelling and simulation using PyPSA (Python for Power System Analysis)

PyPSA (Python for Power System Analysis) is a Python library primarily designed for modelling and simulating power systems.

It is not specifically designed for trading energy commodities.

However, you can use Python, including PyPSA, as part of a broader framework for your analysis.

Functionality

1) PyPSA can calculate:

• static power flow (using both the full non-linear network equations and the linearised network equations)
• linear optimal power flow (least-cost optimisation of a power plant and storage dispatch within network constraints, using the linear network equations, over several snapshots)
• security-constrained linear optimal power flow
• total electricity/energy system least-cost investment optimisation (using linear network equations over several snapshots simultaneously for optimisation of generation and storage dispatch and investment in the capacities of generation, storage, transmission and other infrastructure)

2) It has models for:

• meshed multiply-connected AC and DC networks, with controllable converters between AC and DC networks
• standard types for lines and transformers following the implementation in pandapower
• conventional dispatchable generators and links with unit commitment
• generators with time-varying power availability, such as wind and solar generators
• storage units with efficiency losses
• simple hydroelectricity with inflow and spillage
• coupling with other energy carriers
• basic components out of which more complicated assets can be built, such as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units, heat pumps, resistive Power-to-Heat (P2H), Power-to-Gas (P2G), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), Fischer-Tropsch, direct air capture (DAC), etc.

Modelling

Let’s begin by explaining in simple English some of the core terms you must know to make sense of the simple model written below.

Kindly pursue additional research to explore the precise definitions, as the definitions I've presented here are intentionally simplified for the benefit of a wide-ranging audience.

Terms:

Network

A network is like a web of connected points (called "buses") and transmission lines (called "lines"). Imagine it as a map of a city's power system, showing where the electricity comes from and where it goes.

Bus

A bus is like a designated stop or station in an electricity network. Think of it as a specific location where electricity can be either generated, used, or transferred to another location.

Generator

A generator is like a powerhouse that produces electricity, and it can be placed at specific bus stops in the electricity network.

Load

A load is like the demand for electricity in a network. It represents the places where electricity is needed, such as homes, businesses, or factories. Think of it as the amount of electricity required to power devices and lights at these locations.

Line

A line is like an electrical pathway or road that connects different places in the electricity network. Imagine it as a wire or cable that allows electricity to travel from one bus stop to another. These lines have specific properties, like how much resistance they have to electricity flow and how easily they allow electricity to pass through (reactance).

Active power

Active power is the electricity that does the actual work, such as lighting up our homes, running appliances, and powering machines.

Reactive power

Reactive power doesn't do the actual work like active power, but it plays a vital role in keeping the electrical system stable and efficient. Think of it as the electricity that helps maintain the flow and balance of power in the network and helps the system run smoothly/without disruptions.

Nominal voltage

Nominal voltage is like the standard level of electricity that we expect at specific locations in the network. Think of it as the regular amount of electrical power that should be available at different bus stops or places in our electricity system.

Power flow analysis

It is primarily a steady-state analysis, which means it assesses the system's behaviour under normal operating conditions. It allows you to determine if the network can meet the load demand and if all generators and loads are operating within their specified limits.

Think of power flow analysis as a health check for the entire electrical system, where we calculate how much electricity is going where and ensure that everything is balanced and stable.

For example, I wanted to know how much active power and reactive power flows on each line, and for that, I needed to perform a power flow analysis beforehand.

Control

Control in the context of this code refers to a set of rules and instructions that dictate how certain elements within the electrical network should operate. It serves as a means of regulating and managing the behaviour of components like generators.

Control settings, such as "Slack" or "PV," specify the operational mode or strategy that a generator or device should follow.

In essence, control is a critical aspect of managing and optimising the electricity network's behaviour to ensure reliable and efficient operation.