Scalable Neural Dynamic Equivalence for Power Systems

Abstract: Traditional grid analytics are model-based, relying strongly on accurate models of power systems, especially the dynamic models of generators, controllers, loads and other dynamic components. However, acquiring thorough power system models can be impractical in real operation due to inaccessible system parameters and privacy of consumers, which necessitate data-driven dynamic equivalencing of unknown subsystems. Learning reliable dynamic equivalent models for the external systems from SCADA and PMU data, however, is a long-standing intractable problem in power system analysis due to complicated nonlinearity and unforeseeable dynamic modes of power systems. This paper advances a practical application of neural dynamic equivalence (NeuDyE) called Driving Port NeuDyE (DP-NeuDyE), which exploits physics-informed machine learning and neural-ordinary-differential-equations (ODE-NET) to discover a dynamic equivalence of external power grids while preserving its dynamic behaviors after disturbances. The new contributions are threefold: A NeuDyE formulation to enable a continuous-time, data-driven dynamic equivalence of power systems, saving the effort and expense of acquiring inaccessible system; An introduction of a Physics-Informed NeuDyE learning (PI-NeuDyE) to actively control the closed-loop accuracy of NeuDyE; and A DP-NeuDyE to reduce the number of inputs required for the training. We conduct extensive case studies on the NPCC system to validate the generalizability and accuracy of both PI-NeuDyE and DP-NeuDyE, which span a multitude of scenarios, differing in the time required for fault clearance, the specific fault locations, and the limitations of data. Test results have demonstrated the scalability and practicality of NeuDyE, showing its potential to be used in ISO and utility control centers for online transient stability analysis and for planning purposes.