Integrating real-time operations and planning using same-format power system models

Power system real-time control and operations planning are functions that have been traditionally separated regarding enterprise processes and deployed technologies. This division results in numerous data sharing issues that limit the ability to achieve secure operation and to enhance situational awareness. There is a great need to bring these two functions closer by means of integrating architectures. This paper illustrates how same-format power system data models and object-oriented architectures can be used to integrate the real-time operations with the operations planning environment. This integration has many advantages including compatibility of the data models, ability to perform thorough analysis of snapshot cases in the planning environment, ability to use powerful off-line tools as part of the real-time sequence, unification of the enterprise application suite, reduced complexity in engineering procedures, and reduction in the cost of training, software development, and database maintenance.