Python Programming Language for Power System Analysis Education and Research

Abstract

Due to its complexity and high dimensionality, power system analysis has always relied on numerical computation for real-time operation and planning. It is therefore of great importance that power systems engineering students have a robust understanding of computing and learn how to code. This paper discusses how Python can be an adequate programming language for education and research on power system analysis. This is accomplished by the analysis of a power transmission system from the perspectives of: (i) formation of bus admittance matrix, (ii) state estimation and (iii) fault studies. For each example, a simple vectorized Python 3 code, along with its basic concepts and functions highlighted, is presented. Additionally, the main results of interest are plotted to show the ability of Python in producing publication quality 2D and 3D plots.