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PyRAMSES Overview

PyRAMSES (Python-based RApid Multithreaded Simulation of Electric power Systems) is a Python interface to the RAMSES dynamic simulation engine. It provides researchers, engineers, and students with an accessible and powerful tool for large-scale power system analysis.

For more information, visit the PyRAMSES project page and the PyRAMSES documentation site.

  • Native Python interface with seamless scientific computing integration
  • Jupyter Notebook support for interactive analysis
  • NumPy/SciPy compatibility for numerical computing
  • Simple pip installation
  • Domain decomposition using Schur-complement-based algorithms
  • Multi-core optimization with OpenMP shared-memory parallelism
  • Two-level partitioning for coarse- and fine-grained parallelization
  • Localization techniques exploiting the localized response to disturbances
  • Time-scale decomposition for multi-rate phenomena
  • Acceleration on both single and multi-processing units
  • Transmission and distribution networks
  • Combined T&D systems
  • AC/DC hybrid systems
  • Dynamic Security Assessment (DSA)

PyRAMSES includes a comprehensive library of power system models:

CategoryModels
Injectorsload, PQ, restld, indmach1, indmach2, IBG, WT3WithChanges, WT4WithChanges, BESSWithChanges, vfd_load, svc_hq_generic1, theveq
ExcitersST1A, AC1A, AC4A, AC8B, DC3A, IEEET5, EXPIC1, EXHQSC, ENTSOE_simp, GENERIC3, GENERIC4, and many variants with PSS/OEL
Speed GovernorsDEGOV1, hydro_generic1, thermal_generic1, HQRVC, HQRVM, HQRVN, HQRVW, ENTSOE_simp, ENTSOE_simp_consensus
Two-PortsHQSVC, HVDC_LCC, HVDC_VSC, HVDC_VSC_SC, DC_BHPM, CHENIER, CSVGN5, DCL_WCL, vsc_hq
Discrete Controllersltc, ltc2, ltcinv, oltc2, uvls, uvprot, pst, rt, mais, FRT, sim_minmaxvolt, sim_minmaxspeed, voltage_variability
  • Research: Algorithm development, model validation, performance benchmarking
  • Real-time operations: Dynamic Security Assessment (DSA), transfer limit determination
  • Planning: System reinforcement evaluation, renewable integration studies
  • Education: Operator training, simulation-based teaching
  • P. Aristidou, D. Fabozzi, and T. Van Cutsem, “Dynamic simulation of large-scale power systems using a parallel Schur-complement-based decomposition method,” IEEE Trans. on Parallel and Distributed Systems, 25(10):2561–2570, 2014. doi: 10.1109/TPDS.2013.252
  • P. Aristidou, S. Lebeau, and T. Van Cutsem, “Power system dynamic simulations using a parallel two-level Schur-complement decomposition,” IEEE Trans. on Power Systems, 31(5):3984–3995, 2016. doi: 10.1109/TPWRS.2015.2509023
  • P. Aristidou and T. Van Cutsem, “A parallel processing approach to dynamic simulations of combined transmission and distribution systems,” Int. J. of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 72:58–65, 2015.

Source code: SPS-L/stepss-PyRAMSES