BPA's experience of implementing node breaker model for power system operations studies

This paper describes Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) experience and justification of implementing node/breaker Full Topology model implementation for operations studies. Focus of this implementation is to increase reliability and accuracy by using a real-time case using the more-realistic Full-Topology model. Major changes needed to the bus/branch planning model to work with node/breaker model are presented. This implementation has helped saving customer's money by reduce curtailments and more effective use of existing transmission capacity. It has been seen that as few as one or two events can easily cover the cost of the project. The Full Topology real time approach provides better reliability and more reliable System Operating Limits (SOLs). Also can accommodate increased amounts of variable/intermittent generation (e.g., wind, solar) and dynamic transfers. Disturbance cases ready for study in few minutes instead of 12 months.