®

PSS E-34 Release Notes

April 2018
Copyright © 1990-2018 Siemens Industry, Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
Information in this manual and any software described herein is confidential and subject to change without notice and does not repre-
sent a commitment on the part of Siemens Industry, Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International. The software described in this
manual is furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure agreement and may be used or copied only in accordance with the
terms of the agreement. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, for any purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use, without the express written permission of Siemens
Industry, Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International.
®
PSS E high-performance transmission planning software is a registered trademark of Siemens Industry, Inc., Siemens Power Technolo-
gies International in the United States and other countries.
® ® ® ®
The Windows 7 operating system, the Visual C++ development system, Microsoft Office Excel and Microsoft Visual Studio are reg-
istered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
®
Intel Visual Fortran Compiler for Windows is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.
TM
The Python programming language is a trademark of the Python Software Foundation.

Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
ii
Table of Contents
®
PSS E 34.4 Release Notes ................................................................................................................. 1
®
PSS E 34.3.1 Release Notes ............................................................................................................... 6
®
PSS E 34.3 Release Notes ................................................................................................................. 7
®
PSS E 34.2 Release Notes ................................................................................................................ 11
®
PSS E 34.1.1 Release Notes ............................................................................................................. 15
®
PSS E 34.1 Release Notes ................................................................................................................ 18
®
PSS E 34.0.2 Release Notes ............................................................................................................. 25
®
PSS E 34.0.1 Release Notes ............................................................................................................. 29
®
PSS E 34.0 Release Notes ................................................................................................................ 35

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
iii
 Chapter 1
®
PSS E 34.4 Release Notes
April 2018
This update introduces new functionality, minor enhancements as well as program corrections.

1.1. Program Documentation

® ®
PSS E 34.4 ships with updated PSS E 34.4 documentation for the following documents :

• Models.pdf - PSSE Dynamic Standard Model Library

• SC.pdf - Saved Case Data Extraction Subroutines

• API.pdf - Application Program Interface (API)

• DataFormat.pdf - Data Formats Reference Manual

® ®
PSS E 34.4 ships with the PSS E 34.2 documentation set with the following additions :

• GUI_guide_Addendum.pdf - Documents additions to the user interface

• LineProp_Addendum.pdf - Documents additions/enhancements to the LineProp program

• POM_Addendum.pdf - Documents additions/enhancements to the Node-Breaker and GIC engines

1.2. Program Beta Tests

®
A PSS E harmonics module will be beta tested with the initial release of 34.4. If you are interested in partici-
pating in a beta test of this functionality please contact support at pti.support.energy@siemens.com making
sure to put "Harmonics Beta Test" in the subject line.

The PSSE Harmonics module contains :

• Integrated spreadsheets for entering and maintaining harmonics data for PSSE networks

• A harmonics solution engine

• Display of harmonics results in :

• Results spreadsheets

• Slider diagrams

• Plots

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
1
 ®
PSS E 34.4 Release Notes Installation Notes

A Voltage Violation Check has been added to the DVRM and will be beta tested with the initial release
of 34.4. If you are interested in participating in a beta test of this functionality please contact support at
pti.support.energy@siemens.com making sure to put "DVRM Beta Test" in the subject line.

The DVRM Voltage Violation Check can be used to analyze the voltage violation for the buses that are con-
tained in the channel output file. Users will be able to input the voltage recovery criteria (voltage recovery
threshold and the recovery time) for each bus and perform the voltage violation check. There will be a visual
indication of all the buses that have failed the voltage violation check.

1.3. Installation Notes

® ® ® ®
PSS E Xpress shortcuts will no longer say "PSS E Xpress 34" and "PSS Express GUI Guide". PSS E Xpress users
®
will only see a "PSS E 34" shortcut.

The document “Express_GUI_guide.pdf” is always installed in the DOCS folder.

1.4. Program Enhancements

The following program enhancements appear in this release:

1. GIC additions:

• GIC Module updated to NERC TPL-007-2 standard alpha and beta factors, GIC(t) profile of Benchmark
Event and Supplemental Events

• Added functions to ‘gicdata’ Python module to facilitate build and use of one GIC data file for a number
of grid operation scenarios

• Automatic GMD storm orientation and strength scan including power flow solution

• Updated GIC calculation Text/Excel Reports to include Switched Shunts, DC System Shunts and Load
Shunts GICs

• PSSARRAYS exports Switched Shunts, DC System Shunts and Load Shunts GICs

2. IEEE 421.5 dynamic models additions:

• ST4C

• ST8C

• AC9C

• ST9C

• AC8C

• PSS2C

• PSS7C

3. WECC approved dynamic models additions:

• Distributed Energy Resources Model DER_A

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
2
 ®
PSS E 34.4 Release Notes Program Enhancements

• Generic 2-Terminal HVDC Model CHVDC2

4. Numerous improvements to the Node-Breaker topology processor and substation diagram layouts based
on testing as part of the NERC-SAMS Node-Breaker modeling task force. They include :

• Remote bus regulation of buses is now supported on Nodes contained within a substation that has
been sectioned due to switching operations

• Node-breaker topology processor messages no longer printed during READ operations

• Reading in substation data from a RAW file is significantly faster

• Better handling of isolated branches and buses due to substation topology changes

• Maximum number of substations and nodes is increased

• Existing branches can now be converted into system switching devices however use of the Node-
Breaker substation model with substation switching devices is strongly encouraged in lieu of the sys-
tem switching devices

• Substation switching devices (i.e. breakers, switches within the substation) can now be placed be-
tween nodes belonging to different buses within a substation

• The parent bus section will now always have the lowest bus section number of the bus

• Substation and Substation Node numbers may be changed from the data sheet dialogs

• Two new auto-build substation configurations have been added: the “breaker-and-a-half with odd/
even nodes in columns” and the “double-bus-single-breaker with odd/even nodes in columns” will
create a substation layout that places all odd numbered nodes in a column on the side of main node
1 and all even numbered nodes in a column on the side of main node 2.

5. Dyntools supports outx-type files in processing

6. Added support for extracting voltage limits from ACC files

7. Made the three-winding transformer symbol on diagrams smaller for better placement

8. Slider performance when reading in and panning diagrams has been improved

9. Slider improvements when cascading updates through related diagram symbols

10. Added associated bus angle and voltage on Substation Node results spreadsheet

11. Users can associate a different channel file with each function variable, edit the function from the Plot-
Tree after adding and create new functions by multi-selecting channels from several files in the PlotTree

12. When building a substation, the substation number is automatically defaulted to the first bus added to
the station

13. The Robust Solver can record a script of all operations taken to achieve a solution

14. Changed the program default on the dynamic "Preclude Run" option from TRUE to FALSE

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
3
 ®
PSS E 34.4 Release Notes Program Corrections

15. Undocked windows are now visible upon program startup

16. GOUT and Station draw functions immediately create diagrams if chosen from the context menu

17. Added ability to close all open diagrams at once

18. The maximum of allowed islands during contingency operations has been raised from 10 to 20

19. Added API to retrieve INTEGER values for Switched Shunts

20. Added Subsystem API to retrieve REAL values for Substation Nodes

21. Added voltage limit functionality to ACCC_FILE_GET_SUMMARY

1.5. Program Corrections

The following issues have been identified and corrected in this release:

1. There is an issue in PSSE 34.3 when loading user-written model libraries (i.e. a dll) built in PSSE 34.0
through PSSE 34.2. PSSE 34.3 will also not be able to load such user-written model libraries built in PSSE
34.4. PSSE 34.4 can load user-written model libraries built in any earlier release of PSSE 34. Releases of
PSSE prior to 34.3 will be able to load user-written model libraries built in PSSE 34.4.

This issue was related directly to the loading of model DLLs and not related to the models themselves,
nor to the object files of those models. Additionally, this only affects models that call other PSSE standard
models.

2. Corrected an issue where entire plant could be deleted if one of the machines on a substation bus section
was moved to another bus

3. Corrected an issue in which identical switched shunts could end up on two sections of the same bus
within a substation

4. Corrected issues with branch and transformer connections between two buses within the same substa-
tion

5. Improved the automatic position of radial symbols on diagrams

6. Corrected several issues with animated flows on diagrams

7. Corrected an issue updating VSC DC line results on diagrams

8. Corrected an issue with the dynamic Fact model spreadsheet when the terminal bus = 0

9. Corrected an issue with sorting contingencies on the Incremental Save Case Restore dialog

10. Corrected an issue with filenames in custom toolbar items

11. Corrected issues with styling (color, width etc) on items in diagrams

12. Corrected an issue with creating previous version RAW files where the Nominal and Emergency Min
values were reversed

13. Corrected an issue with ADD/REMOVE MACHINE contingencies not updating plant QGEN when changing
the status of a fixed Q machine

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
4
 ®
PSS E 34.4 Release Notes Known Issues

14. Corrected an issue in the sensitivity analysis reporting

15. Corrected an issue in contingency analysis with tripping a GEN, LOAD or SHUNT

16. Corrected an issue in contingency analysis with removing generators and branches in a single contin-
gency

17. Corrected an issue in the "B" matrix to account for load and shunt changes

18. Corrected an issue where voltage ratings were incorrectly cut off for OTDF reports

19. Corrected an issue in WTTQA1 with the conversion of WPCMND to Turbine base

20. Corrected an issue in DC4B with data checking. Under some circumstances this could cause a crash.

21. Corrected an issue in GEWTGDU1 with JCODE which impacted the correct execution of this model

22. Corrected an issue with AC7CU1 DYDA record

23. Corrected an issue in finding the suspect state number and reporting it for CCT type models

24. Converted some Error messages in ST6B to Warning messages

25. Corrected an issue in the governor droop dispatch model in ACCC

In the ACCC governor droop dispatch model, the generators with the smaller droop make a bigger con-
tribution in the dispatch. PMAX and PMIN are also considered in the ACCC governor droop dispatch.

1.6. Known Issues

The following known issues have been identified and will be corrected in a future release:

1. Approximately only 6 Slider diagrams can be opened at once. This is due to the resource requirements
of the improved diagram rendering engine. This constraint is based on screen resolution, so computers
with lower resolution displays will be able to open more diagrams at once. This will be corrected in the
future by making more internal resources sharable amongst diagrams instead of each diagram requiring
its own resources.

2. wxPython programs won't run in the GUI when using Python 3.4

3. Multi-Terminal DC lines will not draw in substation Diagrams

4. It is not possible to use non-ASCII strings with Python 3.4 in PSSE 34.3.0

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
5
 Chapter 2
®
PSS E 34.3.1 Release Notes
October 2017
This update introduces program corrections.

2.1. Program Corrections

The following issues have been identified and corrected in this release:

1. Corrected an issue causing a slowdown when running automation files

2. Added a file used to compile models that was missing from the installer

3. Corrected an issue restoring an incremental saved case from a filtered list

4. Corrected an issue with using Bus Location files

5. Corrected several issues in recording the exporting of channel data to Excel files

6. Added missing Module chapters to the API manual (PSSPLOT, PSSRDB, PSSARRAYS, PSSEXCEL, EXCELPY,
GICDATA, PSSPIHIST, PSSACCSS)

2.2. Known Issues

The following known issues have been identified and will be corrected in a future release:

1. wxPython programs won't run in the GUI when using Python 3.4

2. Multi-Terminal DC lines will not draw in substation diagrams

3. It is not possible to use non-ASCII strings with Python 3.4 in PSSE 34.3.0

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
6
 Chapter 3
®
PSS E 34.3 Release Notes
September 2017
This update introduces new functionality, minor enhancements as well as program corrections.

3.1. Program Documentation

® ®
PSS E 34.3 ships with the PSS E 34.2 documentation set with the following additions :

• DataFormats_Addendum.pdf - Documents additions/changes to the RAW file format

• GUI_guide_Addendum.pdf - Documents additions to the user interface

• LineProp_Addendum.pdf - Documents additions/enhancements to the LineProp program

• POM_Addendum.pdf - Documents additions/enhancements to the Node-Breaker and GIC engines

3.2. Program Enhancements

The following program enhancements appear in this release:

1. Ability to access the LineProp functionality directly from the PSS®E GUI to update line properties within
the spreadsheet view

2. Help solve difficult cases using the new “Robust Solution” option added to Loadflow Solutions

3. Node-Breaker modeling introduces support for:

• Switched shunts

• Induction machines

• FACTS devices

• Two-terminal DC lines

• Two-terminal VSC DC lines

• Multi-terminal DC lines

4. Added support for Python 3.x throughout the product. As released PSSE will work with Python 2.7.13
and Python 3.4.x.

5. GIC additions:

• Added branch induced voltage type to report

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
7
 ®
PSS E 34.3 Release Notes Program Corrections

• Added line shunt GIC flows to report

• Diagrams updated to display GIC flows at additional elements

6. Updated activity IECS to IEC 60909-0, 2016-01 Edition 2.0 standard requirements including:

• Fault current contributions from Wind Power station units with asynchronous generator, and Power
station units with full size converter

• Wind Power station units with double fed asynchronous generator

• Power station units with full size converter

7. IEEE 421.5 dynamic models additions:

• AC7C

• DC4C

• ST6C

8. Uniform messaging has been applied to all remaining standard PSS®E dynamic models. Messages may
be retrieved using APIs or sent directly to Excel for post-processing

9. Export plots directly to Excel from the PSS®E GUI. This functionality can also be scripted.

10. Create X-Y Plots directly from the Plotting package

11. Added Wibu CodeMeter support for hourly licensing schemes

12. Dynamic models and GIC engine now delivered as separate DLLs for ease in rolling out updates

13. Environment manager updated to work with Visual Studio version 2017

14. Improved DYRE messaging for certain models, removed superfluous compile messages

15. Improved algorithm for calculating differences in floating point numbers for determining whether to
record changes

16. OUT or OUTX file selection/determination is controlled only through selection on the Dynamic Network
Options dialog. This should avoid confusion in the type of Channel file actually being created.

17. In DYRE, if typing in a filename, automatically select file output rather than Report window

18. When filtering strings on spreadsheets, the use of wildcards, "*", is now supported

19. Added ability to recover bus locations when reading in a diagram file

20. Node-breaker topology processor messages no longer printed during contingency analysis

3.3. Program Corrections

The following issues have been identified and corrected in this release:

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
8
 ®
PSS E 34.3 Release Notes Known Issues

1. Corrected an issue with LINOUT/LINEND faults

2. Updated headers in several short circuit reports

3. Updated header in PSCOPF report

4. Corrected an issue with post fault voltages for ASCC and IECS

5. Corrected several memory leaks in the LineProp engine

6. Corrected an issue with SBSBSRCL and SBSBSMEM dealing with the length of passed file names

7. Corrected an issue in OLTC1T when writing out data in DYDA

8. Corrected an issue in the DOCU of Miscellaneous Other models

9. Corrected a potential issue when processing substations that have three-winding transformer connec-
tions

10. Corrected an issue when calculating Shunt element GICs

11. Corrected an issue creating duplicate branches in the GIC dc network under certain Zero Impedance Line
configurations

12. Corrected several issues with the substation reliabilty assessment dialog

13. Corrected several issues with the DragDropPlotData API

14. Corrected an issue where reading a previous version RAW file directly would generate an error message

15. Corrected an issue where a FACTS device could not be drawn from the network tree view

16. Corrected several issues with filenames not having the correct suffix when saved

17. Corrected several issues with diagram defaults not being preserved

18. Corrected an issue where the default diagram properties dialog would crash without a network or dia-
gram open

19. Corrected an issue where a FACTS device tooltip could cause a crash

20. Corrected a potential crash within the Node-Breaker topology processor when processing substations
with three-winding transformer terminal connections

21. Corrected branch and three-winding transformer OPEN TERMINAL contingencies

22. Corrected an issue in which a three-winding transformer would not be included when monitoring by
subsystem if at least one of the buses of the transformer was out-of-service.

3.4. Known Issues

The following known issues have been identified and will be corrected in a future release:

1. wxPython programs won't run in the GUI when using Python 3.4

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
9
 ®
PSS E 34.3 Release Notes Known Issues

2. Multi-Terminal DC lines will not draw in substation Diagrams

3. It is not possible to use non-ASCII strings with Python 3.4 in PSSE 34.3.0

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
10
 Chapter 4
®
PSS E 34.2 Release Notes
April 2017
This update introduces several new modules as well as other minor enhancements and program corrections.

4.1. New Modules

PSS®E Parallel Dynamics Module

Automate and speed your dynamics simulations up to 24x.

Small Signal Stabilty Analysis Module

New small signal stability analysis module replaces NEVA. Faster and able to analyze larger networks.

4.2. Program Enhancements

The following program enhancements appear in this release:

1. Automatic importing of background images from mapping service providers

2. Node-breaker modeling supported in Short Circuit and OPF analysis

3. APIs to convert a bus section to a full network bus and to remove a bus from an existing substation

4. GIC:

• Thermal impacts are now calculated and can be output

• DC resistance conversion factors are now taken into account for Branches and Transformers

• GIC data file additions:

• Branch Line shunts

• Switched Shunt

• Two/Multi Terminal DC

• VSC DC

• FACTS Device

• Load

5. Plotting:

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
11
 ®
PSS E 34.2 Release Notes Program Enhancements

• Export directly to Excel from a Chart

• Better placement of multiple Y Axes

• Easier to delete a series from a Chart

• Axis scaling in X and Y is same as PSSPLT

6. Better initialization for dynamic simulations:

• Automatic ZSORCE correction with Network Simulation Option

• Automatic GNET option on STRT to GNET machines which are missing Generator models

7. Improved characterization of dynamics error messages and new APIs for automatically extracting mes-
sages for post-processing and analysis.

8. Revised composite load model – CMLDxxU2 (xx – BL, AR, OW, ZN, AL)

9. New governor models offer support for specification of asymmetrical dead-band in speed signal:

• GGOV1DU

• IEEEG1DU

• IEESGODU

• WESGOVDU

• WPIDHYDU

• GASTWDDU

• GAST2ADU

• GASTDU

• HYGOVDU

• TGOV1DU

• IEEEG3DU

• DEGOV1DU

• PIDGOVDU

• TGOV3DU

• HYGOV2DU

10. The following GE Vendor specific wind models are now supplied as part of the standard PSS®E installa-
tion:

• GEWT2MU1

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
12
 ®
PSS E 34.2 Release Notes Program Corrections

• GEWTARU1

• GEWTECU1

• GEWTGCU1

• GEWTGDU1

• GEWTPTU1

11. New APIs to check for duplicate contingency names in DFAX and CON files and during execution of
Contingency APIs. Useful when duplicate contingency names can cause confusion in post-processing
of results:

• CHKCNTDUPLICON

• CHKCNTDUPLIDFX

• DUPLICATE_CNTLABEL_CHECK

12. Open/Save dialog initial directory now bases on active document location.

13. Run automation file dialog uses updated dialog format. "Arguments" button has been relocated.

14. Animated flow arrows can be scaled.

15. Transformer connection symbols can toggled on/off.

16. Diagrams can be "floated" in other monitors with reduced functionality.

4.3. Program Corrections

The following issues have been identified and corrected in this release:

1. Corrected issues with ID errors in commands with DISPATCH, or Bus ID errors on dispatched buses, that
could cause the CON file to be out of synch and produce erroneous errors.

2. Corrected an issue with LINOUT/LINEND faults in SEQD.

3. Corrected an issue in setting classical fault conditions related to distributed generation.

4. Corrected an issue in outputting the bus name in Relay data file.

5. Corrected several issues where the DVRM import process would create blank datasets.

6. Corrected an issue in the KIA initialization block in ST7B.

7. Corrected an issue in EXST3.

8. Corrected several issues in REGCA1.

9. Corrected an issue when tapping a line connected to a substation.

10. Corrected an issue when reading in a v33 SAV file.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
13
 ®
PSS E 34.2 Release Notes Program Corrections

11. Corrected an issue with PSAS with long filenames.

12. Corrected an issue with CLOSE BRANCH contingency cases.

13. Corrected an issue in ACCC_FILE_GET_SUMMARY() that could lead to a crash.

14. Corrected an issue in the N-1-1 APIs.

15. Corrected an issue with overflowing results for Fixed Shunts on diagrams.

16. Corrected an issue with display results for N-Term DC elements on diagrams.

17. Corrected an issue with creating FACTS Devices on diagrams.

18. Corrected several issues with processing PV/QV result files.

19. Updated error returns from ACCC_FILE_XXXX APIs for further clarity.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
14
 Chapter 5
®
PSS E 34.1.1 Release Notes
November 2016
This update corrects many issues involving program operation as well as introducing several new features
and functionalities.

5.1. Program Enhancements

The following program enhancements appear in this release:

1. Improved the Isolate By Breaker operation. Items isolated no longer have their status changed. Only the
items used to perform the isolation have their status changed.

2. SAVDSP and SNPDSP now return the full path of the files opened.

3. Improved discovery of equipment and lines on bus-sections in split substations.

4. BRNINT now supports a ‘TYPE’ string for system switching devices. Will return system switching device
type or 0 if not a system switching device.

5. Added automatic contingencies for SINGLE ISOLATE substation switching devices.

6. Added option to control inclusion of transformers in automatic OPEN TERMINAL contingencies.

7. In the DVRM, improved messaging when duplicate contingencies are encountered in ACC results.

8. In the DVRM, improved performance by removing duplicate and non-accessible values from the OUTX
and ACC databases.

9. In the DVRM, added time values for max and min frequency tooltips to the OUTX workbooks.

10. Added the ability to select a Node by selecting any column in the Substation Node selector.

11. Added the ability to select a Switching Device by selecting any column in the Substation Switching
Device selector.

12. Improved messaging when a non-existent substation node is selected in a Substation Node field.

13. Animated flow arrows now extend along the entire length of “branch-type” elements in diagrams.

14. KML output from diagrams has been re-introduced.

15. Substation Node and Switching Device selectors have been added to the Isolate By Breaker dialog.

16. Added support for Branch-Other type models in the dynamics GUI.

17. Added support for CCT-Other type models in the dynamics GUI.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
15
 ®
PSS E 34.1.1 Release Notes Program Corrections

18. Improved the Custom Toolbar dialog to allow a double-click on an item to automatically move it to the
other list.

19. Default grid on a diagram is always shown as dotted lines.

20. Improved the implementation of the default text color.

21. Layers can now be manipulated in the layer manager in any order of operation.

22. Improved the handling of contours and their options.

23. Improved the handling of X axis scaling on plots.

24. Improved processing of the command line.

25. Increased the number of buses and Zero Impedance Lines (ZILS) that can be connected together in a
single group from 50 to 200.

26. Toolbars can now be locked and unlocked from the toolbar context menu.

5.2. Program Corrections

The following program errors have been detected and corrected in this release:

1. Corrected several issues in the contingency analysis engine dealing with correctly identifying network
elements in substations containing one or more bus-sections.

2. Corrected an issue when Isolating By Breaker in which nodes within a substation were not properly
identified for isolation operations.

3. Corrected an issue that could result in Multi-Section Lines contained in a RAW file not being added to
the network.

4. Corrected a reporting issue when more than 7 type 3 buses exist in the network.

5. Corrected several issues in the pssaccss Python APIs used to retrieve results from ACC files.

6. Corrected several issues in the RAS API documentation referring to APIs used to retrieve results from
ACC files.

7. Corrected an issue in the N-1-1 parallel API resulting from an uninitialized monitored node value.

8. Corrected an issue in the MONITOR NODE VOLTAGE IN SUBSYSTEM definition.

9. Corrected an issue in the Substation Reliability Assessment API that could result in a program crash.

10. Corrected an issue with tripping multi-section lines in the MACCC API.

11. Corrected an issue when monitoring out-of-service branches with the automatic syntax.

12. Corrected an issue in ACC results reporting where the voltage max and min values were reversed.

13. Corrected an issue creating GIC plots.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
16
 ®
PSS E 34.1.1 Release Notes Known Issues

14. Corrected an issue in LDS3BL in the call to DELAY when checking for breaker time out (the CON index
argument should have been JJ+2 instead of J+9)breaker time out.

15. Corrected an issue in SYNAXBU1, input from PLNTBU1 model need not be multiplied by SBASE/MBASE
because the signal coming into the SYNAXBU1 model is a voltage signal.

16. Corrected an issue in PVGU1 in checking the CURHVRCR limit.

17. Corrected an issue in Short Circuit where distributed load values were not initialized while setting clas-
sical fault conditions.

18. Corrected an issue in the DVRM where some ACC files could not be read during database creation.

19. Corrected an issue where a bad Id string in the Branch, Load, Fixed Shunt, Machine, Induction Machine
or Three Winding selector could cause a program crash.

20. Corrected an issue where the unit type, %S or %I, was reported incorrectly for non-transformer branches.

21. Corrected an issue where diagrams were not being updated correctly after an Isolate By Breaker oper-
ation.

22. Corrected an issue where branches selected on diagrams were not recognized in the diagram Summation
dialog.

23. Corrected an issue in the data record dialogs where an infinite loop of error messages could occur if
there was an error in an input field value. Now only output incorrect data message when the Ok button
is selected..

24. Corrected an issue with displaying Line shunt symbols on diagrams.

25. Corrected an issue where full file paths were not being retrieved from Zip files.

26. Corrected an issue where read-only temp files were not being cleaned up properly.

27. Corrected an issue where G-Out would sometimes crash on cases that had automatically re-sized mem-
ory.

28. Corrected an issue updating SLD files from v33 where kneepoints were reversed causing "twisted" lines.

29. Corrected several issues with licensing LineProp and auxilliary programs.

5.3. Known Issues

The following program issues are known to exist in this release:

1. All parallel contingency APIs are precluded from running if there are substations in the case. The ability
for these APIs to successfully operate when bus sections are introduced as the result of Node-Breaker
contingencies being executed is still under development.

2. OPF and SC APIs are precluded from running if there are any bus sections in the case. Further develop-
ment to fully accommodate this situation is currently in progress.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
17
 Chapter 6
®
PSS E 34.1 Release Notes
June 2016
6.1. Introduction
This release introduces several new modules, licensed separately, enhancements to the contingency engine
to recognize new Node-Breaker specific contingencies and well as other minor enhancements and program
corrections.

6.1.1. New Modules

®
This section describes the new modules that are available with PSS E 34.1.

6.1.1.1. Data Visualization and Reporting Module

This module, licensed separately, provides users with a powerful data visualizer, capable of revealing trends
and problem areas in a network with a series of visual, interactive dashboards that allow the user to “drill”
down to the problems in their network.

6.1.1.2. PSS®E-PSCAD Network Data Conversion Module

This module, licensed separately, directly translates PSS®E network models into high-fidelity PSCAD electro-
magnetic transients models. Detailed (electromagnetic transients type) machine and HVDC models can then
be integrated into this network model for sophisticated analysis.

6.1.1.3. PSS®E-PSCAD Co-Simulation Module

This module, licensed separately, provides a hybrid simulation interface between PSCAD EMT and PSS®E
transient stability applications. Allows complex PSCAD models to communicate with a PSS®E transient sta-
bility time-domain simulation. The PSCAD side system equivalent gets updates from PSS®, and the PSS®E
side gets updates from the in PSCAD models at each time step. This hybrid simulation allows dynamic sys-
tem equivalents in PSCAD, more accurate model behavior in PSS®E, and different versions of PSS®E running
simultaneously.

6.1.1.4. Advanced Contingency Analysis and RAS Tools

This module, licensed separately, provides extended tools allowing PSS®E users to perform powerful power
flow and contingency analysis customizations, including the ability to model Remedial Action Schemes (RAS)
and Special Protection Systems (SPS). Includes fast PSS®E contingency analysis results APIs, contingency
results to database APIs, power flow and contingency analysis Python extension framework and functions
for complex, user-defined RAS and SPS schemes.

6.1.1.5. Measurement Interface Module

This module, licensed separately, provides an interface for importing real-time and historic telemetry data
from measurement data sources (e.g. PI Historian) into PSS®E. Example use cases are to calculate and set

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
18
 ®
PSS E 34.1 Release Notes Program Enhancements

ambient-adjusted and dynamic ratings in PSS®E for off-line analysis, and to obtain more accurate generation
and load profiles.

6.2. Program Enhancements

The following program enhancements appear in this release:

1. Numerous Node-Breaker enhancements including:

A. Ability to isolate network elements by breaker. This action systematically travels outward from the
item to be isolated until sufficient system or substation breakers are opened to complete the iso-
lation.

B. Ability to define the number of levels searched outward into the network when attempting to isolate
network elements by system or substation breakers.

C. Ability to Restore the network after an Isolate by Breaker action. This operation restores the working
network to the state it was in prior to the first Isolate operation, or to the state prior to the first
Isolate operation after the previous Restore operation.

D. For any bus that is sectionalized, the bus number shown in spreadsheets is always formatted with
the bus number and section number Substation switching devices may now be connected between
nodes attached to different buses within the same substation.

E. Added the following items to CON file:

a. OPEN BREAKER

b. OPEN SWITCH

c. OPEN TERMINAL

d. ISOLATE BREAKER

e. ISOLATE SWITCH

f. ISOLATE LINE (extended to handle MSL and 3WT)

g. ISOLATE BUS

h. ISOLATE NODE

i. CLOSE BREAKER

j. CLOSE SWITCH

k. CLOSE TERMINAL

l. STUCK BREAKER

m. SINGLE/DOUBLE OPEN/ISOLATE TERMINAL FROM BUS

n. SINGLE/DOUBLE ISOLATE LINE FROM BUS

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
19
 ®
PSS E 34.1 Release Notes Program Enhancements

o. SINGLE/DOUBLE/BUSDOUBLE/PARALLEL ISOLATE LINE IN a SUBSYSTEM

p. SINGLE/DOUBLE OPEN/ISOLATE TERMINAL IN a SUBSYSTEM

q. SINGLE OPEN/CLOSE SWD/BREAKER/SWITCH IN a SUBSYSTEM

r. SINGLE STUCK BREAKER IN a SUBSYSTEM

F. Added the following items to the MON file:

a. MONITOR VOLTAGE RANGE ALL NODES

b. MONITOR VOLTAGE RANGE for a NODE in a SUBSTATION

c. MONITOR VOLTAGE RANGE NODES IN a SUBSYSTEM

d. MONITOR VOLTAGE RANGE NODES IN a SUBSTATION

e. MONITOR VOLTAGE RANGE NODES IN a BUS

f. MONITOR VOLTAGE RANGE NODES IN an AREA

g. MONITOR VOLTAGE RANGE NODES IN an ZONE

h. MONITOR VOLTAGE RANGE NODES IN an KV level

i. MONITOR VOLTAGE RANGE NODES IN an OWNER

j. MONITOR VOLTAGE DEVIATION … (same as for RANGE)

k. MONITOR VOLTAGE LIMIT … (same as for RANGE)

2. A new extended form of the Channel file has been created. This extended Channel file contains addi-
tional information used for post-processing the Channel files in the Data Visualization and Reporting
Module (DVRM). In version 34.X, the dynamic simulation will, by default, generate the standard Channel
file, which by default, has an extension .OUT. Users can instruct PSSE to generate an extended Channel
file (.OUTX) file by going to Dynamics> Simulation Options and checking the box “Extended file (.outx)'
under 'Channel Output file type. This operation can be recorded in an automation script.

At version 35, the default file Channel file type will be the extended Channel file, the .OUTX.

It should be noted that it is not possible to convert a .OUT file to a .OUTX. The .OUTX file contains
additional data that is only captured during the simulation, so consideration must be given to the post
processing requirements for the Channel file when creating it.

3. Added support for Dynamic Line and Switched Shunt “Other” type models.

4. Added dynamic model REECCU1, electrical control for battery model.

5. Multi-unit plant controller model (PLNTBU1) along with the following associated auxiliary models:

A. SYNAXBU1 - for interface between PLNTBU1 and synchronous condensers.

B. REAX3BU1 - for interface between PLNTBU1 and Type 3 renewable machines.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
20
 ®
PSS E 34.1 Release Notes Program Enhancements

C. REAX4BU1 - for interface between PLNTBU1 and Type 4 renewable machines.

D. FCTAXBU1 – for interface between PLNTBU1 and FACTS devices (STATCON type devices, i.e., devices
modeled as FACTS devices in PSS®E power flow).

E. SWSAXBU1 – for interface between PLNTBU1 and SVC (devices modeled as switched shunt in PSS®E
power flow.

6. Playback model (PLBVFU1). This model can be used to play-in known voltage and/or frequency signals
for dynamic model validation.

7. Add monitored substation node information to the ACC file and updated ACC associated Python func-
tions to operate on this information.

8. Added support in the plotting module for PSSPLT SUBT, TINT and LFTI commands.

9. GIC Ieff formulas now use the series winding current direction from Series to Common.

10. Add Node-Breaker quantities to individual fetch routines.

11. Created new Node-Breaker subsystem based fetch routines and added routines to iterate through Node-
Breaker elements.

12. Ability to “lock” and “unlock” docked toolbars from the Window menu.

13. Ability to “exclude” radial and branch elements from “Grow” operations.

14. Added ability to shift + double click to extend GOUT diagrams.

15. Added “Fetch” routines to retrieve model data for CCT models. Fetch routines are also supported in
Python and IPLAN.

16. Load, Fixed Shunt and Machine selectors now use a single field for selection, rather than a separate field
for the bus and Ids.

17. Added Results spreadsheets for VSC DC lines, Substations, Substation Nodes, Substation SWDs, N and
2-Term DC lines, Induction Machines, FACTS Devices and 3 Winding Transformers.

18. The ability to filter spreadsheets has been restored. Spreadsheets are now filtered in place.

19. Added support for Data Record dialogs from the subtabs of 3 Winding, DC and VSC DC line spreadsheets.

20. Added ability to draw GIC results on a network map from PSS®E GUI.

21. Added Efield scanning to the GIC calculation.

22. Added an option to the Dynamic network options to select DVRM compatible OUTX file creation when
creating and writing channels to a channel output file.

23. Move diagram defaults to a separate dialog to avoid confusion.

24. Added support for Home directories and Macro support in directory definitions.

25. Enhancements to Data Record dialogs when changing I/O codes.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
21
 ®
PSS E 34.1 Release Notes Program Corrections

26. Updated geophysical positioning on diagrams.

27. Added the ability to generate substation diagrams from the Tree View and locate substations in planning
diagrams.

28. The documentation “Launch” page can now be accessed from the Help menu.

29. Diagram panning with the arrows on the diagram can be accelerated using the <Shift> and <Ctrl> keys.

30. Diagrams pan/”fly” to new views when the view is changed automatically or programmatically.

6.3. Program Corrections

The following program errors have been detected and corrected in this release:

1. Corrected an issue causing a program crash when version 32 and previous version Sequence files were
written.

2. Corrected an issue that could cause a program crash during IECS calculations.

3. Updated dynamic model REECA1 to not use the remote bus ICON in order to remain consistent with
WECC specs.

4. Updated dynamic model SVSMO1T2 and SVSMO2T2 to allow inputting auxiliary signals.

5. Updated dynamic model WTPTA1 to regard VAR(L) as input from the plant controller.

6. Updated dynamic model TSTGOV1 to fix error in writing DYDA record.

7. Corrected several issues in the subsystem engine that could results in invalid subsystem selections and
program crashes.

8. Corrected an issue with very large MBASE values in RAWD.

9. Corrected an issue scaling in GIC maps when the lat and long delta was below a threshold.

10. Corrected an issue in psspy.treedat() that could sometimes cause a program crash.

11. Corrected an issue in caspy.psslod and caspy.pssbrn with setting arguments that could cause a program
crash.

12. Corrected an issue in the GIC calculation with find the bus substation of a ZIL buses that were not in
the study subsystem.

13. Corrected an issue where induction machine contributions were not included in the net bus equipment
injection.

14. Corrected an issue in sensitivity analysis where sensitivity factors less than the cutoff were not presented.

15. Corrected several issues reading previous version PV, QV and ACC files.

16. Corrected an issue in identifying wind auxiliary and torque control models during an edit operation.

17. Corrected the calculation of substation flows.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
22
 ®
PSS E 34.1 Release Notes Known Issues

18. Corrected the flow direction arrows within substation diagrams.

19. Substation nodes are now correctly placed out of service if they become isolated due the opening of a
connected line. They will also be placed back in service if it is no longer isolated.

20. Corrected an issue with selecting Areas, Owners and Zones in Load models.

21. Corrected an issue with adding Branch Other type models.

22. Corrected an issue with displaying ratings on Legends, Branch and 2 and 3 Winding Transformers on
diagrams.

23. Corrected an issue with displaying FACTS Device results on diagrams.

24. Corrected an issue ordering items on the Zone spreadsheet if a bus subsystem was applied.

25. Corrected an issue with displaying ratings and updating the reactance on substation SWDs.

26. Corrected an issue with Topology bus numbers appearing in dynamic spreadsheets.

27. Corrected an issue with the DYDA and DOCU dialogs where the wrong model type would get processed.

28. Corrected an issue when saving dynamics data and a “Bus must exist” message appears without being
required.

29. Corrected an issue with displaying results on Substations in substation diagrams.

30. Corrected an issue with setting loading percentages on diagrams. MVA and Current as %MVA controls
were not correct.

31. Corrected an issue with preserving OPF annotation settings.

32. Corrected an issue with missing Distributed Generation controls on the Load Data Record dialog.

33. Corrected an issue with preserving the Out of Service setting on a diagram.

34. Corrected several issues with printing diagrams.

35. Corrected an issue with double clicking in Output bar windows.

36. Corrected an issue with opening files in a zipped archive.

37. Corrected an automation issue with SETDIAGRESPFLOWOPTIONS_2.

6.4. Known Issues

The following program issues are known to exist in this release:

1. All parallel contingency APIs are precluded from running if there are substations in the case. The ability
for these APIs to successfully operate when bus sections are introduced as the result of Node-Breaker
contingencies being executed is still under development.

2. There may be issues in N-1-1, MACCC and PSCOPF APIs when executing Node-Breaker Isolate or Open
Breaker contingency operations that result in the introduction of bus sections. Further development to
fully accommodate this situation is currently in progress.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
23
 ®
PSS E 34.1 Release Notes Known Issues

3. OPF and SC APIs are precluded from running if there are any bus sections in the case. Further develop-
ment to fully accommodate this situation is currently in progress.

4. The DVRM dialog will generate an error when operations are "chained" i.e. creating a database and then
a workbook. The workbook is still created. This message can be ignored for the time being.

5. The LineProp utility does not function correctly. Further development to remedy this situation is currently
in progress.

6. Node-Breaker contingencies paired with other contingencies in a contingency block can generate errors.
For example a Node-Breaker contingency that resulted in the creation of a bus section followed by a
contingency that opened a line could result in an error. Further development to remedy this situation
is currently in progress.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
24
 Chapter 7
®
PSS E 34.0.2 Release Notes
February 2016

7.1. Introduction
This update fixes several issues involving data structures used to operate on substations. If your network .sav
files contains substation data, we recommend that you RAWD the case out to a .raw file and then READ
the .raw file back in, saving it as a .sav file if necessary. This will update the internal data structures contained
in the original .sav file.

7.1.1. Special Installation Note regarding wxPython

Certain functions in the PSS®E user interface and the PSS®E Python™ API rely on the open source wxPython
package. At this time, wxPython is not able to be installed along with the PSS®E installer. In order to install
wxPython, please use this link:

http://www.wxpython.org

Without wxPython installed, the following functions will not work, or will have limited functionality:

• Environment Manager – Used to build user libraries and manage search paths.

• excelexport – Used to export ACC and PV/QV results to Microsoft® Excel from PSS®E.

• plot2word – Used to export plots to Microsoft® Word. wxPython is only for certain plotting capability.

• dyntools – Used for dynamics simulation plot analysis. wxPython is only for certain plotting capability.

• pssarrays – Used for post-analysis of ACC and GIC results files. wxPython is only needed for certain GIC-
related functionality.

For further information regarding finding and installing Python™ modules used by PSS®E, please see the
Updating Python and its modules: Installation Guidelines page available via the following link:

ReadMePYinstall.pdf

7.2. Program Enhancements

Engine Updates

• PSS®E Environment Manager has been updated to 7.0.1 to address all known issues.

• Updated progress output messages from the topology processor.

• Network elements connected to Bus Sections are now reported in their correct order throughout all PSS®E
reports.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
25
 ®
PSS E 34.0.2 Release Notes Program Corrections

• Improvements in Python Dyntools module to aid in inserting plot files into Word documents.

• XFRINT now supported SIDCOD to return the controlled bus side code.

• Subsystem fetch routine, GET_VSC_DC_CONV_TYPES and related routines modified to recognize Bus Sec-
tions.

• Subsystem fetch routine, GET_TWO_TERM_DC_CONV_TYPES and related routines modified to recognize

Bus Sections.

• Subsystem fetch routine, GET_MULTI_TERM_DC_CONV_TYPES and related routines modified to recognize

Bus Sections.

• Subsystem fetch routines for induction machines modified to recognize Bus Sections.

• Subsystem fetch routines for returning flows modified to recognize Bus Sections.

• Subsystem fetch routine, GET GET_FACTS_BUS_TYPES and related routines modified to recognize Bus Sec-
tions.

• Updated all example Python files to fix issues and allow improved un-attended operation.

GUI Updates

• Preselect the station number in substation selector so that hands don’t have to move from keyboard to
select for edit.

• Added support for the machine selector from the Id cells in the OPF Generator Reactance and Reserve
spreadsheets.

• Added support for the machine selector from the Bus and Id cells in the NCSFCC spreadsheet.

• Delayed import of several Python modules until actually required. This should eliminate startup errors for
Python modules that are not required for the basic operation of PSS®E.

• Improved layouts for automatically generated substation diagrams.

• Improved import of v33 diagrams. Branch symbols are now correctly added and layer assignments pre-
served.

• Improved creation of Psse34.grd file to prevent conflicts with future updates.

• Improved the range checking on decimal fields in dialogs.

7.3. Program Corrections

Engine Updates

• In WECCDS, fixed an issue when converting WTDTA1 when Kshaft is zero.

• Fixed an issue when the zero-sequence factored matrix was bigger than the positive sequence matrix.

• Fixed an issue with incorrectly referenced substation nodes. This would occur when a great number of
substations are present in the case with isolated elements.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
26
 ®
PSS E 34.0.2 Release Notes Bug Fixes

• Fixed several issues with three-winding transformers in a substation when topology changes are intro-
duced through switching actions.

• Fixed a sorting issue with branches when the bus output option was set to Names.

• Fixed an issue reporting a bus number that was JOINed.

• Fixed an issue that prevented identifying wind auxiliary and wind torque control models during model
edits.

• Fixed an issue with changing the Model Status for CCT models.

• In OLTC3T, OLPS1T, OLPS3T, OLTC1T, fixed an issue that was causing problems when doing DYDA or DOCU
using a .snp file which was paused during a simulation run.

• Fixed issues with Python pssaccss module when when reading .acc, .pv and .qv files.

• Fixed an issue with flow direction in the calculation of effective GIC of auto transformers.

• Fixed several issues with DISPATCH commands in contingency analysis.

• Fixed several issues recognizing Bus Sections in two and three-winding transformer fetch routines.

GUI Updates

• Fixed selection issues with Load, Fixed Shunt and Machine selectors. Selectors could crash if a bus se-
quence number of zero was passed to them.

• Branch selector was not handling MSL selection properly.

• The configuration file builder was not writing out real number with a “.” decimal point as recognized by
the contingency engine.

• Fixed issues displaying terminal connections on switched shunt spreadsheet.

• End location for tapping a line were reversed when the additional bus was added.

• Fixed several issues dealing with transformer data in the GIC transformer data spreadsheet.

• Model boxes used to identify the presence of associated dynamic models were not displayed in GOUT
diagrams.

7.4. Bug Fixes

Engine Updates

• Resolved an issue in AccBrwsGrid.exe when reading a v33.6 and 32.2.4 .acc file.

• Resolved a problem with OPF Bus Shunts when changing data through the API and utilizing default values.

• Resolved an issue where very large sensitivities were showing up on Slider diagrams displaying OPF results.

• In PSS4B, use VAR(L+4) instead of VAR(L+3).

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
27
 ®
PSS E 34.0.2 Release Notes Bug Fixes

• In WTTQA1, WNDSP4 was not being converted to the proper base (Torque controller base) before being
used in MODE 2 and 3.

• Fixed several issues discovered when deleting substations.

• RDCH had issues when reading in data changes to equipment associated with a Bbus S-section.

• RAWD and LIST incorrectly exhibited star point buses for cases with 3-winding transformers and substation
Bus Sections.

• PURGSHUNT() and PURGLOAD() could crash or enter an infinite loop.

• Tapping a line that is connected to nodes at one or both ends could result in an error.

• Validation of a fault in the substation reliability API was using the wrong connection index.

• System mismatch, SYSMSM and related routines, calculated mismatch incorrectly at buses that contained
Bbus Ssections.

• Several utilities could not read .acc files created in v33.6 and v32.2.4.

GUI Updates

• Changes to RateC from the Node-Breaker Switching Device spreadsheet were not getting saved.

• Results for VSC and Two-Term DC lines were not displayed correctly on diagrams.

• Wrong bus voltage was displayed on substations in substation diagrams.

• Wrong bus voltage was displayed on substation nodes in substation diagrams.

• Results for FACTS devices could be displayed on diagrams wrong depending on whether they were series
or radial devices.

• The wrong converter numbers were displayed when bringing up the dialog to change annotation for VSC
and Two-Term DC lines.

• Check diagram could fail if Bus Sections were present in the network.

• Selecting model from the Model Box on a diagram could select the wrong model for edit.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
28
 Chapter 8
®
PSS E 34.0.1 Release Notes
September 2015

8.1. Introduction
®
This release of PSS E includes major modeling enhancements, usability enhancements, and program correc-
tions, particularly for the new Node-Breaker functionality.

8.2. Special Installation Note regarding wxPython

® ®
Certain functions in the PSS E user interface and the PSS E Python™ API rely on the open source wxPython
®
package. At this time, wxPython is not able to be installed along with the PSS E installer. In order to install
wxPython, please use this link:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/wxpython/files/wxPython/2.8.12.1/wxPython2.8-win32-
unicode-2.8.12.1-py27.exe/download.

Without wxPython installed, the following functions will not work, or will have limited functionality:

• Environment Manager – Used to build user libraries and manage search paths.
® ®
• excelexport – Used to export ACC and PV/QV results to Microsoft Excel from PSS E.
®
• startin – Used to set the working directory for PSS E.
®
• plot2word – Used to export plots to Microsoft Word. wxPython is only for certain plotting capability.

• dyntools – Used for dynamics simulation plot analysis. wxPython is only for certain plotting capability.

• pssarrays – Used for post-analysis of ACC and GIC results files. wxPython is only needed for certain GIC-
related functionality.
®
For further information regarding finding and installing Python™ modules used by PSS E, please see theP-
®
ython Modules used by PSS E Python Utilitiespage available via the following link:

http://w3.usa.siemens.com/smartgrid/us/en/transmission-grid/products/grid-analysis-tools/
transmission-system-planning/Pages/PythonModules.aspx

8.3. Program Enhancements

• Added information message if model could not be added due to conflict between machine type and model
type (for example, Wind or Non-Wind machine).

• Default names for substation and substation nodes are enforced.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
29
 ®
PSS E 34.0.1 Release Notes Program Corrections

• Dynamics data files can now be opened directly, just as other network files are.

• Improvements to substation layout algorithms for cleaner automatic layouts.

• For substation terminal records in the RAW file, the TYP field can be either '2' or 'B' for non-transformer
branches and two-winding transformers (for readability).

• On RAW file generator records, when <4 owners are specified in the case and has Wind machine data
specified, the string ",0,1.0" is written as default owner number and owner fraction values rather than ", , ".

• Separate UNDO buffers are maintained for each active diagram for better UNDO behavior.

• Substation numbers can now be up to 6 digits to align with bus number length.

• Now able to specify no ShortCircuit output file by entering the SCFILE filename as "nooutput"

1. When an actual SCFILE is specified:

a. Create contributions reports to TEMP files as calculation progress.

b. Create total fault current reports using SCFILE so that all fault types are reported together for each
bus when cases have MOVs. This is the way the program has always operated .

2. When the SCFILE is "nooutput":

a. Create all reports without needing SC results file - create report as calculation progress. Added in
PSSE 33.6 and later to allow not writing SC results file.

b. Case without MOV - report output will look exactly as in (1) as they always did. 3PH, LG, LLG, LL
total fault currents reported together.

c. Case with MOV - report output will look different 3PH, LG, LLG, LL total fault currents reported
separately, because that's how calculations are done. For example, PH3 bus fault, PH3 LINOUT
and PH3 LINEND faults applied and their reports created.
.

8.4. Program Corrections

• 3 winding transformer connections in GOUT and substation diagrams have been improved.

• Added initialization of dynamics models WNDSP4 in WTTQAU1.

• An increased number of diagrams that contain large embedded images can now be opened at once. The
number available to open depends on system resources and image size.

• Added better error handling and reporting when importing PSSE Python modules.

• Added better search performance for Study files.

• Bus data values changed on any substation bus section are now reflected on all the bus sections associated
with that bus.

• Bus sections created through switching operations on substations are now reported in correct ascending
numerical or alphabetical order.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
30
 ®
PSS E 34.0.1 Release Notes Program Corrections

• Busbars that are aligned vertically or horizontally now display link connections between them in a more
consistent manner.

• Diagram grid style is now accurately displayed on the diagram.

• Fixed an issue with the length of the name displayed in the spreadsheet for the DC, VSC and FACTS devices.

• Fixed formatting on numerous reports to support by Node-Breaker bus section reporting.

• Improved the GENTPJU1 model output formatting.

• Addressed the situation when a diagram was opened before the associated save case and results on the
diagram would not appear.

• Improved the process of unzipping and locating files contained in a Study zip file.

• Improvements have been made to editing arguments in the Study editor dialog.

• Improvements in searching for files contained in a Study.

• Improvements made to the process of unzipping a Study file.

• Improvements made to search functions for loading existing substation diagrams associated with a case.

• Issues with the Study Files Tree View have been fixed.

• Line mode help is now directed to the Progress window rather than a report.

• Multi-section line toggling now performs as expected.

• Plant data on a bus section can now be properly changed.

• Data changes on a bus in a substation are now propagated to all bus sections associated with that bus.

• The PSSE34 EXAMPLE folder path can now be accessed by Python through the variable EXAM_PATH.

• The REGCAU1 model DOCU format has been improved.

• Station bus symbols in substation diagrams now accurately reflect the correct voltage limit coloring and
line style.

• Substation Node numbers can now be changed.

• The substation spreadsheet can now display all buses associated with the substation.

• Substations can now be deleted.

• Substations numbers can now be changed.

• Fixed an issue in the SVSMO3U1 model with deadband checking.

• Fixed the SVSMO3U2 description for ICON(M+2), and fixed an issue with deadband checking.

• The dialog to open an Incremental Save Case did not always work correctly. This has been fixed.

• Issues with handling the full pathname for loaded model libraries is now fixed.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
31
 ®
PSS E 34.0.1 Release Notes Bug Fixes

• The Multi-Section line reporting toolbar button has returned.

• The per-unit voltage of the parent bus displayed at a Substation Node is now directly related to the Bus
Section base voltage.

• The VPERHZU1 model is now categorized as Machine Protection rather than Machine Other.

• When a diagram is open, the diagram now automatically zooms to the extents (fits the full diagram in
the viewing area).

8.5. Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue where adding a DC or VSC DC line interactively in a diagram would result in a crash.

• Fixed an issue where annotation labels could not be added to a diagram when Bind Mode is off.

• Fixed an issue where automated printing of more than one PV curve at a time did not work.

• Fixed an issue where bringing up the OPF interface flow dialog would sometimes crash the program.

• Fixed an issue where clicking on a 3-winding transformer on a diagram would not always yield the correct
spreadsheet/data record entry.

• Fixed an issue where the contour flag was always set to true even if the user canceled out of the dialog.

• Fixed an issue where creating a diagram for a substation that contained two buses, each attached to a leg
of a common 3-winding transformer, would result in a crash.

• Fixed an issue where creating a new Summation on a diagram did not work.

• Fixed an issue where default Short Circuit data on the Load data record dialog was not getting set correctly.

• Fixed an issue where the Drag and Drop operation from the Study Tree would not always work correctly.

• Fixed an issue with models with a negative NUMTRM value.

• Fixed an issue where an automatically built ring bus of only 2 nodes required 2 switching device links
between them.

• Fixed an issue with INTFLW model MODE 1 and 6 operation.

• Fixed an issue in the ADD_CCTBRNOMOD_MODEL() API.

• Fixed an issue where the length of the argument strings passed when opening files was calculated incor-
rectly.

• Fixed an issue where the links were not always attached correctly when copying and pasting items on a
diagram.

• The machine contributions are now properly included in the substation flow calculation. Previously was
using whatever flow was calculated from another load, shunt device or branch element connected to the
same bus within the substation.

• Fixed an issue where moving items with IDs did not honor the ID entered in the dialog.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
32
 ®
PSS E 34.0.1 Release Notes Compiler Information

• Fixed an issue where opening a new Plotbook without any other windows open caused a crash.

• Fixed an issue where the Out-of-Service option is not read correctly from the .pssxml file.

• Fixed a problem in RMAX and RMIN handling in the GET_TWO_WINDING_DATA_5 and

TWO_WINDING_CHNG_5 APIs.

• Fixed an issue where renamed Studies did not stay in the same location in the Study Tree View after being
renamed.

• Fixed an issue where, in the REPCAU1 model, Pbrnch was not getting set correctly, as well as an error in
MODE 4. Also fixed description for ICON(M+6) and remote bus checking.

• ThevZ is now reported for each fault type separately for cases with MOVs.

• Fixed an issue where results coloring on diagrams would not always accurately reflect the state of the
network.

• Fixed an issue where rotation of items on diagrams sometimes did not work as expected.

• Fixed an issue where splitting a bus that has bus sections and attached machines results in a crash.

• Fixed an issue where the SVSMO1U1, SVSMO1U2 and SVSMO2U2 models POD signal added incorrectly
and the MVAR in VAR(L+28) was calculated incorrectly.

• Fixed an issue where tab names on some spreadsheets was being displayed as “Network Data”.

• Fixed an issue where the Print Preview presentation did not always accurately reflect what was being
printed.

• Fixed several issues reading PV/QV results files.

• Fixed an issue reading SVSMO3T2 model DYRE data.

• Fixed issues where Unicode characters in filenames caused issues in Python files.

• When converting from a V34 file to a previous RAW version, bad data could result if not all values on 3-
winding transformer records: 3, 4 and 5 were entered.

• Fixed an issue where, when multiple machines at a bus are moved to bus sections, associated plant data
was not always updated correctly.

8.6. Compiler Information

General Information
® ®
PSS E 34 is built using the Intel® Parallel Studio XE 2015 Composer Edition (Intel Visual Fortran, or IVF,
® ®
15.0) compiler and the Microsoft Visual Studio 2013 (Microsoft Visual C/C++ 12.0) compiler. This is the
®
recommended platform to use for building user-written extensions to PSS E 34, such as CONEC, CONET, and
®
user-written dynamics models. Fortran code must be compiled with IVF 10.1 or later. Intel Parallel Studio
®
comes with a Visual Studio Shell, which will work with PSS E 34 as well. When using a version of IVF other
®
than 15.0, please be aware that the later run-time libraries must be used. The PSS E Environment Manager,
®
which is delivered with PSS E 34, or can be downloaded from our website, can be used to build extension

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
33
 ®
PSS E 34.0.1 Release Notes Additional Notes

®
libraries for PSS E or assist with maintaining environment variables associated with controlling the compiler
versions in use.

8.7. Additional Notes

® ®
A compiler is not required to run PSS E because the Fortran and C run-time libraries are included with PSS E.
A compiler is required only if you are compiling CONEC and/or CONET, user-written dynamics models, or
programs that call USRCAS.
®
Intel has offered a special discounted upgrade fee to Siemens PTI customers. To purchase either the
upgrade or a new license of IVF compiler under this offer, you must contact Frankie Terlecki at
frank.terlecki@intel.com. Please be sureSiemens PTI customeris included in the subject line.

8.8. User-Written Model Notes

®
Since PSS E 31, DC line and FACTS devices are identified by 12 character device names instead of numbers. To
retain backward compatibility of old Saved Case files, device names are now set to the old device number left-
justified, for example, 1 becomes "1 ". However, User-Written models of these devices that are called in CONEC
and/or CONET will have to be modified to map the old device number to its corresponding new internal device
®
index. If you have any questions, please contact PSS E support athttps://siemens-energy.secure.force.com/
pti.

8.9. Program Documentation

®
Documentation can be found in the DOCS folder in the PSS E 34 installation directory.

8.10. Important Compatibility Notes

The following items address issues with backwards compatibility:
® ®
• PSS E 34 SAV files are not compatible with previous versions of PSS E.
® ®
• PSS E 34 SNP files are not compatible with previous versions of PSS E.
® ®
• PSS E 34 SLD files are not compatible with previous versions of PSS E.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
34
 Chapter 9
®
PSS E 34.0 Release Notes

9.1. Introduction
®
This release of PSS E includes major modeling enhancements, usability enhancements, and program correc-
tions. In particular, the introduction of integrated Node-Breaker modeling, combined with your existing Bus-
Branch models, will give you a new level of analysis capabilities.

9.2. Special Installation Note regarding wxPython

® ®
Certain functions in the PSS E user interface and the PSS E Python™ API rely on the open source wxPython
®
package. At this time, wxPython is not able to be installed along with the PSS E installer. In order to install
wxPython, please use this link:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/wxpython/files/wxPython/2.8.12.1/wxPython2.8-win32-
unicode-2.8.12.1-py27.exe/download.

Without wxPython installed, the following functions will not work, or will have limited functionality:

• Environment Manager – Used to build user libraries and manage search paths.
® ®
• excelexport – Used to export ACC and PV/QV results to Microsoft Excel from PSS E.
®
• startin – Used to set the working directory for PSS E.
®
• plot2word – Used to export plots to Microsoft Word. wxPython is only for certain plotting capability.

• dyntools – Used for dynamics simulation plot analysis. wxPython is only for certain plotting capability.

• pssarrays – Used for post-analysis of ACC and GIC results files. wxPython is only needed for certain GIC-
related functionality.
®
For further information regarding finding and installing Python™ modules used by PSS E, please see theP-
®
ython Modules used by PSS E Python Utilitiespage available via the following link:

http://w3.usa.siemens.com/smartgrid/us/en/transmission-grid/products/grid-analysis-tools/
transmission-system-planning/Pages/PythonModules.aspx

9.3. Program Enhancements

9.3.1. Node-Breaker Modeling
Version 34 introduces fully-integrated Node-Breaker modeling into the power flow and contingency analy-
sis engines. Creation and manipulation of detailed substation Node-Breaker data is fully incorporated into
®
the PSS E engine, network data spreadsheets, and single-line diagrams. During switching studies and con-
tingency analysis, the creation and management of topology buses, presented as bus sections, is fully auto-
mated and controlled by the engine.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
35
 ®
PSS E 34.0 Release Notes Program Enhancements

9.3.2. New Network Size Level

The maximum number of buses in a network has been increased from 150,000 to 200,000 buses. Other
element size levels have been increased as well. For details, please refer to Table 3.1 in The Program Operation
Manual.

9.3.3. Updated Study File Management System

The integrated Study File Management System (formally known as Scenarios) has been revamped to make
file management much easier. You can create a study file collection (called a Study) and manage these files
in the Study Explorer located in the tree view.

9.3.4. Character ICON Size Increased to 12 Characters

The maximum length of a character ICON has been increased from 2 characters to 12. This will allow the
names of devices, such as DC lines and FACTS, to be passed to models directly without need for manipulation.

9.3.5. Accessing Phase Voltages for Wind Machine controls

®
Provision has been made in the PSS E engine to access phase voltages which can potentially be used in wind
model control logic.

9.3.6. In-feed Modeling Machines

A new machine typeIn-feedhas been added. An In-feed type machine is one for which the machine P and Q
are fixed. These can be used for modeling fixed injection from an external system.

9.3.7. Updated Transformer Impedance Correction Tables

Transformer impedance tables have been updated to now allow 99 defined points, as well as real and imag-
inary pairs for transformers that require them.

9.3.8. Ability to Merge Multiple Contingency Results Files

A new API has been created to allow the merging of separate *.acc results files into a single file for reporting
and processing. This API is also available interactively.

9.3.9. New Contingency Types to Support Node-Breaker Modeling

Several new contingency definitions have been added to the CON file specification to leverage Node-Breaker
substation models. Breakers can be opened, closed and isolated. Node voltages and breaker flows can also
be reported using new MON file additions.

9.3.10. No Separate Executable Needed for Parallel Contingency

Analysis
®
PSS E Parallel Contingency Analysis allows the simultaneous use of up to 24 cores to improve the perfor-
mance of contingency analysis. Version 33 required a separate executable in order to use parallel processing
for contingency analysis. This separate executable is no longer needed in version 34.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
36
 ®
PSS E 34.0 Release Notes Program Enhancements

9.3.11. Increased Customizable Ratings Sets

The number of ratings available has increased. There are now twelve customizable ratings sets that can be
given custom names and descriptions.

9.3.12. Branch Names

All ac lines, two-winding transformers, and three-winding transformers can have names up to 40 characters
long. Names can be blank, however all non-blank names must be unique within the case for future name-
based identification.

9.3.13. Modeling Distributed Generation on Load Feeders

Distributed generation (for example, rooftop PV) can be modeled as part of the load data. For details please
refer to Power Flow Load data record in theData Formats Reference Manual.

9.3.14. Solution Parameters in SAV and RAW Files

Solution parameters are now saved in the SAV and RAW files, along with the last known solution method,
so that the power flow solution embedded in a SAV or RAW file can be recreated exactly when reloaded or
shared.

9.3.15. Solution Parameters in SEQ File

Short circuit solution parameters are now saved in the SEQ file, so that the short circuit solution can be
recreated exactly when reloaded or shared.

9.3.16. Updated RAW, SAV, and SEQ File Converters

All file type converters have updated to handle conversions between version 33 formats and version 34
formats for full backwards compatibility with many previous versions.

9.3.17. Sequence File Additions

The following additions have been made to the SEQ file:

• Generator phase angles

• Non-conventional source fault contributions (NCSFC)

9.3.18. ASCC Analysis Additions

The ASCC function now supports non-conventional source fault contributions (NCSFC).

9.3.19. Geomagnetic Inducted Currents (GIC) Module Additions

The GIC module engine now supports:

• Field scaling

• Non-uniform field calculation

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
37
 ®
PSS E 34.0 Release Notes Program Enhancements

9.3.20. WECC Model Support

®
PSS E 34.0 supports the current WECC PSLF power flow, as well as dynamic data conversion up to version 19.

9.3.21. Plotting Function Additions

®
PSS E PlotPackage now supports the following PSSPLT functions:

• RANG (range calculation)

• SLCT (channel selection function)

• FUNC (custom function definitions)

9.3.22. Results Spreadsheets

®
PSS E now provides spreadsheets for displaying subsystem-based results for several major data categories.
®
Results may be exported directly to a CSV file or to Microsoft Excel. The data categories that are currently
supported include Buses, Plants, Machines, Loads, Fixed Shunts, Switched Shunt, AC Lines, Areas, Owners,
and Zones. Areas, Owners, and Zones include aggregate information, such as total load and generation.

9.3.23. New Dynamics Models

®
The following models have been added to the PSS E simulation model library:

New IEEE 421.5 Mod- Governor Models for V34 Machine Protection Mod-
els available in V34 (Pratt amp; Whitney Tur- els for V34 (V/Hz Gen-
boden turbine-governor) erator Relay Model)
ST1C PWTBD1 VPERHZU1
ST5C
ST7C
AC1C
AC2C
AC3C
AC4C
AC5C
AC6C
DC1C
DC2C
AC6A

All the models can be used in the standard state-space simulations only.

9.3.24. Additional Dynamics Changes

The dynamic simulation options (Dynamics>Dynamic Simulation Options) functionality has been enhanced
to allow for the following:

• Ability to select some of the options on a subsystem basis.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
38
 ®
PSS E 34.0 Release Notes Program Enhancements

• Ability to monitor and trip if the condition is violated.

• Scan generators exceeding speed deviation threshold.

9.3.25. Additional GUI Changes

The main network spreadsheet has been reorganized to group common spreadsheets into tabs, allowing for
quick selection between spreadsheets.

Diagrams have been optimized for performance. Line elements, such as branches and DC lines, now include
abranchsymbol along their length.

Diagram properties and annotation dialogs have been reorganized, providing consistent presentation.

9.3.26. Global Settings and Preferences

Additional changes have been made to allow single-line diagram defaults and settings to be imported and
exported to external XML configuration files. This allows a user to take many of their program settings to
®
another computer and configure PSS E to operate in the manner in which they are accustomed.

9.3.27. Silent Install for Automated Installations

®
PSS E can now be installed silently using a script, thereby allowing administrators to push the installation of
® ®
PSS E to network machines. If you are interested in setting up a silent install for PSS E 34 on your network,
®
please contact PSS E support.

9.3.28. Updated Environment Manager

®
The PSS E Environment Manager can now be used for:

• Compiling and linking user models to create User Model DLLs (*.dll).

• Compiling and linking user models to create User Model static libraries (*.lib).

• Setting the Windows Environment to enable compiling and linking of user models.
®
9.3.29. Running PSS E Outside of the GUI with Python™
®
When running PSS E from an external Python™ interpreter, it is no longer necessary to add the PSSBIN path
to sys.path or to os.environ['PATH']. Simply include the following import statement to your Python script file:

import psse34
®
After this import statement, psspy, pssarrays, dyntools, excelpy and other PSS E modules can safely be im-
ported and used.

9.3.30. A Note on the New Licensing System (WIBU CodeMeter)

Despite information published in previous months, the new licensing system (WIBU CodeMeter) will not be
®
mandatory for running PSS E 34.0. The current SafeNet Sentinel dongles will continue to work for V34.0
and previous versions.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
39
 ®
PSS E 34.0 Release Notes Known Issues

9.4. Known Issues

®
Due to the complexity of moving to a Node-Breaker model within PSS E, there are still a few known issues
with program operation when Node-Breaker data is present. These issues will be resolved in future releases.

• When a node becomes de-energized through switching operations, all connected radial equipment (loads,
machines, shunts, etc.) will be taken out-of-service and the original state of the equipment is lost. When
the node is reenergized, all of these radial devices will be switched to in-service, regardless of their original
in-service state. In a future release, the original state of the equipment will be restored when nodes become
de-energized and reenergized.

• Not all bus-branch contingencies can be automatically converted into equivalent Node-Breaker contingen-
cies in contingency analysis at this time.

• The OpenByBreaker APIs are temporarily disabled due to unresolved issues. .

• Although node voltage monitor definitions can be added to the MON file, the node voltage results are not
yet added to the ACC output file. The node voltage contingency results are included in the text reports
however.

• There is an issue that may cause a crash while using the graphical difference display (GDIF) when bus
sections are present because of Node-Breaker switching.

• Spreadsheet column filtering is temporarily disabled due to an unresolved issue. The spreadsheets can still
be filtered when defining bus subsystems.

• Some temporary files may show up in the Discover Files list in the Study Explorer.
®
• You may see a Runtime Library Error message when starting PSS E. This does not indicate an actual prob-
lem and can be ignored.

• The OPF and Short Circuit engines do not currently recognize Node-Breaker data.

• Running a tie line comparison, API DFTIAPI, will result in a program crash.

• Exporting PV/QV results using pssarrays can result in a crash.

• Due to changes in the Slider rendering engine, imported images will not appear in 34.0.0 diagrams.

9.5. Compiler Information

9.5.1. General Information
® ®
PSS E 34 is built using the Intel® Parallel Studio XE 2015 Composer Edition (Intel Visual Fortran, or IVF,
® ®
15.0) compiler and the Microsoft Visual Studio 2013 (Microsoft Visual C/C++ 12.0) compiler. This is the
®
recommended platform to use for building user-written extensions to PSS E 34, such as CONEC, CONET, and
®
user-written dynamics models. Fortran code must be compiled with IVF 10.1 or later. Intel Parallel Studio
®
comes with a Visual Studio Shell, which will work with PSS E 34 as well. When using a version of IVF other
®
than 15.0, please be aware that the later run-time libraries must be used. The PSS E Environment Manager,
®
which is delivered with PSS E 34, or can be downloaded from our website, can be used to build extension
®
libraries for PSS E or assist with maintaining environment variables associated with controlling the compiler
versions in use.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
40
 ®
PSS E 34.0 Release Notes Program Documentation

9.5.2. Additional Notes

® ®
A compiler is not required to run PSS E because the Fortran and C run-time libraries are included with PSS E.
A compiler is required only if you are compiling CONEC and/or CONET, user-written dynamics models, or
programs that call USRCAS.
®
Intel has offered a special discounted upgrade fee to Siemens PTI customers. To purchase either the
upgrade or a new license of IVF compiler under this offer, you must contact Frankie Terlecki at
frank.terlecki@intel.com. Please be sureSiemens PTI customeris included in the subject line.

9.5.3. User-Written Model Notes

®
Since PSS E 31, DC line and FACTS devices are identified by 12 character device names instead of numbers. To
retain backward compatibility of old Saved Case files, device names are now set to the old device number left-
justified, for example, 1 becomes "1 ". However, User-Written models of these devices that are called in CONEC
and/or CONET will have to be modified to map the old device number to its corresponding new internal device
®
index. If you have any questions, please contact PSS E support athttps://siemens-energy.secure.force.com/
pti.

9.6. Program Documentation

®
Documentation can be found in the DOCS folder in the PSS E 34 installation directory.

9.7. Important Compatibility Notes

The following items address issues with backwards compatibility:
® ®
• PSS E 34 SAV files are not compatible with previous versions of PSS E.
® ®
• PSS E 34 SNP files are not compatible with previous versions of PSS E.
® ®
• PSS E 34 SLD files are not compatible with previous versions of PSS E.

All material contained in this documentation is proprietary to Siemens Industry Inc., Siemens Power Technologies International
41