A topology processor that tracks network modifications over time

Abstract

A topology processor program uses circuit breaker status information and network connectivity data to determine the topology of the network. This network topology is used as input to a network solution program, either a state estimator or a power flow, which is usually computationally intensive. In the tracking mode, a change in circuit breaker status usually reinitializes the topology processor and the subsequent network solution. Most of the time, however, the topology change is small, and if this change is known the network solution could be obtained without reordering and/or refactorizing the whole matrix from the previous solution. The topology processor proposed in this paper requires marginally more computation time but keeps track of the changes in topology. This information can then be used by the network solution to often avoid ordering and factorizing thereby saving significant computation time. This paper describes the new topology processor and the different way it interfaces with the subsequent network solution program. © 1988 IEEE