Load Modeling for Power System Simulation: a Tradeoff Between Accuracy and Usability

This paper deals with load modeling for power system simulation. It introduces a new, more complete quality criterion to identify load models, with interesting applications in an industrial framework. Until now, the identification of load models has often been carried out 1/ using a limited number of field measurements (without always making sure that it was sufficient) and 2/ considering accuracy as the main, or even as the only indicator to establish a merit order between the possible options. To be considered good in the present work, load models must not only well match field measurements (accuracy), but have the highest possible level of "usability" as well. This additional indicator evaluates notably the ability of the model to be used for the simulation of other events and network operating conditions than the ones used for its identification. This tradeoff between accuracy and "usability" is illustrated on a case study on a French isolated power system.