A Vector-Based Flexible-Complexity Tool for Simulation and Small-Signal Analysis of Hybrid AC/DC Power Systems

Tomás-Martín, Andrés; Zuluaga-Ríos, Carlos David; Suárez-Porras, Jorge; Kazemtabrizi, Behzad; García-Aguilar, Javier; Sigrist, Lukas; García-Cerrada, Aurelio

Abstract

This paper presents VFlexP, an open-source, vector-based tool for the time domain simulation, static analysis, and small-signal analysis of hybrid AC/DC power systems, built upon MATLAB-Simulink. Unlike existing tools such as PowerFactory, Simplus Grid Tool, and PSCAD, VFlexP allows for a flexible-complexity representation of all devices without taking any traditional simplification for granted, and the seamless inclusion of new models without extensive modifications. VFlexP has a module to analyse the relevance of the state variables of the model in a given input-output relationship. This information can then be used to simplify the model in subsequent studies. VFlexP has been designed to obtain an accurate initial point for simulation from a conventional power-flow analysis in order to achieve fast initialisation without troublesome and time-consuming initial transients. The tool’s graphical user interface groups all power system elements of the same type in a single block, even if they have different parameters, providing a clean representation even for large systems. These characteristics make VFlexP a valuable tool for the detailed analysis and non-linear time simulation of hybrid power systems in a fast-changing scenario, even though, for the time being, the analysis and simulation carried out are limited to a d-q representation of a balanced power system.

Citation

Tomás-Martín, A., Zuluaga-Ríos, C. D., Suárez-Porras, J., Kazemtabrizi, B., García-Aguilar, J., Sigrist, L., & García-Cerrada, A. (2025). A Vector-Based Flexible-Complexity Tool for Simulation and Small-Signal Analysis of Hybrid AC/DC Power Systems. Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks, 43, Article 101817. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.segan.2025.101817

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 23, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Aug 8, 2025
• Publication Date: 2025-09
• Deposit Date: Jul 30, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 7, 2025
• Journal: Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks
• Electronic ISSN: 2352-4677
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 43
• Article Number: 101817
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.segan.2025.101817
• Keywords: Index Terms-Flexible complexity; model reduction; small signal analysis; vector-based
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4279576
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/sustainable-energy-grids-and-networks