Abstract: Var optimization (VARO) is a subsystem of a voltage and var optimization (VVO) system that processes a capacitor switching optimization problem. The VARO is a self contained process that may work stand alone or in conjunction with a Voltage Regulation Optimization (VRO) system to provide integrated VVO solutions. The VARO system takes network inputs and calculates optimal settings for distribution network capacitor banks.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for optimization of large scale resource scheduling problems. Large scale resource scheduling problems are computationally very hard and extremely time consuming to solve. This invention provides a Lagrangian relaxation based solution method. The method has two distinct characteristics. First, the method is formal. It is completely structure-based and does not use any problem domain specific knowledge in the solution process, either in the dual optimization or the primal feasibility enforcement process. Second, updating the Lagrangian multipliers after solution of every sub-problem without using penalty factors results in fast and smooth convergence in the dual optimization. The combination of high quality dual solution and the structure-based primal feasibility enforcement produces a high quality primal solution with very small solution gap.

Abstract: A computer implemented method uses a database of detailed, comprehensive utility operating and financial information. The method comprises: (1) feature based matching or similarity based benchmark and focus group selection; (2) a performance assessment procedure comprising multi-perspective analysis; and (3) multi-attribute business profiling and performance improvement potential analysis. As part of the performance assessment step, data corresponding to different utilities in a selected benchmark group are compared with each other to find their strengths and weaknesses. Interpretation of these gaps provides the cause of such gaps. Composite ranking analysis is used so that a composite score of at least one utility business is obtained.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently simulating an electric power transmission network is disclosed. In the method, a parameterized value is assigned to an element in the network that is present during any time interval of a simulation test period. If an element in the network has changed from a preceding time interval, the network of the preceding time interval is updated by changing the parameterized value for the changed element, and the updated network is simulated. If any element in the network has not changed from the network of the preceding time interval, the network is simulated based on the network of the preceding time interval.