Using the common information model for power systems as a framework for applications to support network data interchange for operations and planning

The Common Information Model (CIM) is an object-oriented representation of a power system used primarily as a data exchange format for power system operational control systems and as a common semantic model to facilitate enterprise application integration. The CIM has the potential to be used as much more than an intermediary exchange language and this thesis explores the use of the CIM as the core of a power systems toolkit for storing, processing, extracting and exchanging data directly as CIM objects. This thesis looks at the evolving nature of the CIM standard and proposes a number of extensions to support the use of the CIM in the UK power industry while maintaining, where possible, backwards compatibility with the IEC standard. The challenges in storing and processing large power system network models as native objects without sacrificing reliability and robustness are discussed and solutions proposed. A number of applications of this CIM software framework are described in this thesis aimed at facilitating the use of the CIM for exchanging data for network planning and operations. The development of novel algorithms is described that use the underlying CIM class structure to convert power system network data in a CIM format to the native, proprietary format of an external analysis application. The problem of validating CIM data against pre-defined profiles and the deficiencies of existing validation techniques is discussed. A novel validation system based on the CIM software framework is proposed that provides a means of performing a level of validation beyond any existing tools. Algorithms to allow the integration of independent power system network models in a CIM format are proposed that allow the automatic identification and removal of overlapping areas and integration of neighbouring networks. The development of an application to dynamically generate network diagrams of power system network models in CIM format via the novel application of existing, generic data visualisation tools is described. The use of web application technologies to create a remotely-accessible tool for creating power system network models in CIM format is described. Each of these applications supports a stage of the planning process allowing both planning and operational engineers to create, exchange and use data in the CIM format by providing tools with a native CIM architecture that can adapt to the evolving CIM standard.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral-pg

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Strathclyde

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• McMorran, Alan W.

DOI

10.48730/bvtk-xz74

Identifier

uk.bl.ethos.435104
T11660

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:strathclyde:cc08hf706