An Overview of a 3D-Assisted Visualization Simulator for Steady-State Power Flow Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents a 3D assistance visualization simulator (named SEEPowerStationVer4) for steady-state power flow analysis in complex power systems. Traditional power flow studies usually use only numbers and charts, which makes it hard for learners to easily understand how different parts of the power system are physically connected and interact with each other. The core contribution of this work is a PowerWorld system model of an electrical transmission system in a normal steady-state regime integrated with a custom 3D simulator visualization. The visualization replicates substations, components, busbars, transmission structures, and transformers. The analysis also targeted reactive power compensation equipment strategies, including the use of a synchronous compensator, SVC, capacitive shunt switch, and STATCOM for voltage stability. The simulator was to understand the reactive performance in substations on an operating range of 0.9·Vn to 1.1·Vn. The paper focuses on supporting classroom and specialist training demonstrations, enhancing comprehension to reinforce how reactive system equipment affects electrical power flow.

1. Introduction

Modern power systems are increasingly complex, requiring new tools not only for mathematical analysis but also for intuitive visual understanding of system operation and topology. As the operational envelope of electrical transmission networks expands, high-fidelity analytical and visualization tools have become indispensable for comprehending coupled electro-mechanical interactions in steady-state regimes. The increasing penetration of distributed renewable generation introduces complex spatial–electrical dependencies that require clearer interpretability beyond classical numerical tabulations. While steady-state power flow studies are traditionally performed through software environments such as PowerWorld Simulator, purely numerical interfaces often limit awareness of relationships, component placement, and physical interactions between elements. To bridge this gap, a visual method can enhance clarity [1].

The key contributions of this work include a 3D simulation SEEPowerStationVer4, which highlights the integration between analytical modeling and spatial visualization. The paper has a detailed PowerWorld simulation model designed to represent the power flow behavior of the system in a normal steady-state regime. The 3D view is used to represent the components of an electrical transmission system. It replicates the substations, transmission structures, transformers, reactive compensation equipment such as STATCOM, SVC units, and line configurations used within the PowerWorld analytical model. This combination provides a more tangible understanding of power flow behavior and system configuration under normal operating conditions.

Power system analysis is a fundamental discipline essential for understanding the behavior of complex electrical networks. The ability to describe system operations in terms of voltage magnitude, current, power injections, and losses under normal steady-state conditions is important for ensuring reliability and stability. As power networks become increasingly large, dynamic, and interconnected, global research efforts have intensified to address the operational challenges associated with steady-state modeling [2,3,4]. Generally, 3D visualization is also becoming relevant because, for correct decisions in power flow, you need a representation that highlights the spatial relationships and dynamic behavior of the system.

Although conventional power flow solvers provide precise numerical outputs, their inability to accurately reflect the spatial congruence of components can obscure the impact of physical placement on operational limits and reactive exchange pathways.

This work contributes to:

• a steady-state PowerWorld model integrated in an interactive 3D substation simulator, useful for both students and power specialists;
• visualization-based workflows to support educational, training, and operational understanding of reactive power compensation and power flows;
• validation of the 3D system against other analytical power-flow computations.

The paper focuses on demonstrating the simulator’s strength in creating an educational connection with PowerWorld’s analytical flow graphs. The SEEPowerStationVer4 simulator supports a visualization and heuristic learning approach: instead of relying solely on numerical tables of voltages or power flows, students learn by exploring in detail 3D components, such as busbars, transformers, and transmission lines, within a physical substation layout. This approach shifts the learning process further from simply determining numerical answers to understanding the underlying behavior of the substation system, encouraging insight through interaction and observation with reasoning.

The analysis shows the case for voltage stability within the acceptable operating range of 0.9·Vn to 1.1·Vn, examining how the placement and configuration of the power station elements influence steady-state performance [5,6]. When the SEEPowerStationVer4 simulator was presented to the class at the final of the university’s course project, it provided a clear and intuitive way for students to connect the 3D view to the analytical components’ results from PowerWorld with the physical layout of the modeled system. This approach was used to understand all equipment interactions, making the learning process more engaging and accessible. Integrating spatial visualization into the simulator enhances comprehension, supports classroom demonstration, and strengthens the connection between theoretical modeling and practical understanding. Students, engineers, and operators can visually identify how lines enter and exit in a power substation, where transformers physically connect to the grid, or how compensation banks are housed to switches and busbars. For teaching purposes, this approach proves more useful in explaining operational phenomena, such as power flow. 3D visualization clarifies cable routing with possible expansions, making it easier to conceptualize substation equipment upgrades and modifications.

Figure 1 illustrates one of the substations, and Figure 2 shows the early composition.

The simulator has been designed with implementation flexibility, allowing users to see the system according to their specific requirements and learning objectives. Such adaptability is essential for ensuring an effective user-centered learning experience that combines both functionality and accessibility [7,8,9].

This paper is structured as follows: Section 2 reviews prior work; Section 3 presents the core study simulator and methods; Section 4 describes the experimental results and discussions; and Section 5 concludes with the main findings of the study.

2. Related Work

Prior work has demonstrated the value of interactive and 3D environments for improving the understanding of electrical power system behavior. Milano (2009) introduced one of the earliest 3D visualization and animation frameworks for power system analysis, demonstrating that spatial representations can enhance comprehension of power flow and dynamic phenomena.

More recently, Ribeiro (2025) developed a detailed 3D geometric model of a substation primarily for sensor-related and optical analysis. It illustrates how high-resolution spatial models can support the interpretation of equipment layout. Similarly, Hoikkala (2022) examined the use of 3D building information models for transmission system assets, highlighting how three-dimensional layouts improve awareness of component placement and system topology [10,11,12].

Both research directions, 3D visualization of infrastructure and electrical system simulation, have matured independently, but their integration remains limited, static, and descriptive, while simulation-focused research rarely incorporates three-dimensional physical representations of assets. To date, the coupling of high-resolution 3D substation and transmission models in university classrooms with detailed flow simulations and various components in a unified interactive educational environment has not been fully researched.

While several commercial power system analysis tools exist, most notably ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, and Siemens PSS/E are large-scale grid planning and are primarily designed for high-fidelity engineering and regulatory compliance. Their interfaces are often data-dense and abstract, requiring significant expertise to navigate and less for rapid prototyping purposes. In contrast, the proposed SEEPowerStationVer4 is designed to bridge the gap between numerical simulation and spatial intuition with a focus on fast visual integration. With a 3D-assisted visualization framework, our method enables a more immediate understanding of how geographical constraints and physical component placement affect power flow, serving as a ‘Digital Visual And Spatial Software’ that complements traditional analytical software.

Li and Chen (2019) demonstrated how 3D geographic information system (GIS)-based models can improve spatial awareness of transmission corridors and substation layouts, particularly for planning and asset management applications [13]. In parallel, separate research has focused on power system simulation and analysis with tools such as PowerWorld, Siemens PSS/E, DIgSILENT PowerFactory being widely used for steady-state, contingency, and reactive power studies [14,15]. These simulation-based studies provide rigorous numerical insight into voltage profiles, power flow distribution, and system stability [14,15]. Their design outputs are presented through one-line diagrams, tables or two-dimensional plots offering limited spatial and physical context.

Related studies by Marinelli (2020) with Kopsidas and Kapetanaki (2021) further confirmed the value of the digital concept for documenting asset configurations and management in electrical infrastructure 3D building information with modeling for transmission system [16,17].

Existing approaches remain largely descriptive and static, focusing on geometric fidelity and layout interpretation rather than on the dynamic operational behavior of the power system. Prior work does not explicitly link 3D visual environments with dynamic state approaches. This integrated approach addresses a gap in existing research, where 3D visualization tools have not yet been fully coupled with power system simulation engines to support operational insight. The ability to correlate electrical phenomena with their physical locations allows users to better understand how equipment acts on large network topologies with spatial configurations that influence the overall system performance. Such insight is particularly valuable for system planning, operator training, and educational purposes, where abstract numerical results can be difficult to interpret without spatial context.

In contrast to these approaches, the SEEPowerStationVer4 project integrates detailed PowerWorld steady-state simulations with a 3D visualization environment. This combination allows users to observe voltage power flow on transmission networks, reactive power behavior under normal operating conditions in 3D, while simultaneously viewing the physical arrangement of substations, transformers, and transmission structures. This integrated approach enables a deeper understanding of how equipment behavior affects the system and supports more informed decision-making.

Software 3D environments are used in many ways to design, test, and explore gadgets, devices, and systems. This approach not only demonstrates technical implementation but also establishes a foundation for scalable and reusable system architecture applicable to diverse domains. Each example developed through interaction with the system can serve as a “draft graph” for other references that require similar functionality.

A key strength of this project is its capability to integrate smoothly on any Windows-based computer system, enabling the application to adapt dynamically to each user’s preferred interface. The flexible and modular design also makes it suited for future expansion into additional operating systems and mobile platforms as well. This cross-platform potential encourages continuous learning and experimentation within an engaging and interactive digital environment. Robust and technical, it brings educational value with long-term sustainability [9,18]. Moreover, the Android platform could enable the simulator to be developed further by integrating features that enhance the overall user experience. For example, Android Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) allow the application to connect to other services and cloud platforms [8,19,20].

3. Proposed Method

The simulator integrates an interactive control system that allows users to navigate freely through the virtual station environment and monitor energy flow. Navigation is performed using the “WASD” camera keys. The navigation is classical for the current simulation level, with the “Quit” option that closes the application.

The necessary views of the cells and equipment have been covered, as well as most of the connections in the PowerWorld diagram. In Figure 3a, a large number of analyses and decisions with choices were made from various perspectives regarding the display provided.

The starting point with the initial parameters is illustrated in Figure 3b,c. A large set of values was converted from absolute units to relative units using the per-unit system. The base dimensions, including apparent power, are used across generators, transformers, transmission lines, and loads to model the PowerWorld simulator with the correct steady-state conditions from the start of the electrical network.

This process reduces the magnitude disparity between variables, simplifies comparison with scaling issues in algorithms, and improves the convergence of the simulation results.

Generator units are added with nominal voltage, power factor limits, transient reactance, and sub-transient reactance, allowing PowerWorld simulator to capture dynamic characteristics. Reactive power limits for regulation are defined to support stable voltage control in steady-state operations. Both conventional and renewable generation sources are included for control behaviors.

Five transformer types are in the model for interconnection between high voltage, medium voltage, and low voltage levels of the network. This representation allows the modeling of power transfer, voltage drops, and losses across the system together with the Tap Changer functionality. Transmission lines include length, resistance, reactance, and susceptance. Consumer nodes are specified with active and reactive power demands. The X-Y axis positional map values from the consumers were calculated based on their physical distribution within the system.

These operating modes with different conditions form the foundation for a reliable steady-state analysis. The schematic adds compensation elements to maintain grid voltage stability in areas with high load concentration and significant power transfer solutions.

For each load node from the dimensioning of the installed generators, the corresponding reactive power Qcpt and active power Pcpt were calculated using the active power rule demand. This model supports the decrease in reactive power flows through transformers and lines near the loads and contributes to the improvement of the voltage profile computations.

Both the first and the second table show the number of units installed for each category of equipment in the system, generators, transformers and reactive components.

A condition was introduced between the generating capacity and the transformer’s capacity expressed in nr × SnG ≤ nr (Tr) × SnTransformer. It ensured that the total apparent power of the generating units installed at a given location did not exceed the overload ratings. Consistent sizing between interconnected production equipment improves resulting power flow in steady-state simulation and allows for safe operational limits.

In the last column, the sum of TotalPcpt and TotalQcpt allows the calculation of the total installed power directly from the nominal power of the units.

Figure 4 represents the start layout from the PowerWorld simulator, a transmission network composed of three interconnected main nodes (stations A, B, and C in the studied topology). The configuration was designed with a focus on power flow and voltage stability. The starting schematic provides an intuitive visualization of the topology, enabling users to correlate station nodes A, B, and C with the actual topology of the transmission structures and cable routing between them.

The second schematic is an expanded PowerWorld layout that integrates dynamically with the first one and incorporates additional operational stations such as F and Pg1 to Pg4. The arrangement highlights examination of power flow exchanges and reactive support with operational configurations, assigning clear roles to each component and organizing the system in distinct areas, as presented in Figure 5.

To enhance the decision-making capabilities of the simulator, the workflow could integrate an iterative optimization engine. After each configuration adjustment in PowerWorld (e.g., modifying transformer tap settings or switching reactive devices), the results are automatically reflected in the 3D environment. The method could analyze how altering the physical layout of substation elements modifies system impedance pathways and resonance behavior. By parametrically modifying conductor lengths, tower height, and phase spacing within the 3D model, the simulator quantifies changes in:

• mutual inductances;
• corona discharge thresholds;
• characteristic impedance;
• resonance frequencies in PLC communication.

This enables sensitivity studies where the spatial configuration becomes a controllable research variable rather than a fixed visual reference.

These two schematic representations serve as the foundation for the power-flow studies presented in this article. They define the topology of the system, operating conditions, and component relationships upon which all simulations and evaluations are based.

The enlarged, designed power system schematic is conceived in accordance with the following principles:

• The system is divided into the following areas on the PowerWorld simulator: area A, containing the first schematic system, and area B, the newly built part of the system.
• Four power plants, two hydro and two thermal, each consisting of generating and transformer units.
• Seven load nodes (consumer type Pc1, Pc2, Pc3, Pc4, Pc5, Pc6, and Pc7).
• One set of distributed power generation items, photovoltaic type units, will be connected to one of the buses.
• The balancing node NE will be on the high voltage bus, in the large power plant from the first schematic system. A generator will be connected with active and reactive power limits of respectively ±300 MW and ±300 MVAr.

The first schematic includes the generators, transformers, and feeder lines supplying the consumers. It also incorporates the synchronous compensator and the necessary compensation devices required to complete the reactive power circulation.

For optimization, both the initial and the larger PowerWorld schematic projects addressed practical design solutions needed to maintain the system within its operating limits. This included evaluating the voltage profiles, ensuring adequate reactive power compensation, identifying potential overloads, correcting them, and adjusting equipment settings to improve overall system stability.

One of the decisions was to divide a single overhead power line into a double-line configuration. This solution was a necessity for the initial steady-state system analysis; the projected power transfer exceeded the stability limits of the original single line. Figure 6 shows the blue value amps that stay in range with a 0.9 PU factor. By creating a parallel, double-line connection, the total current flow is shared between the two conductors. The current carried by the double line segment is reducing the ampacity loading and heating I2R losses, ensuring that the system can reliably handle the high energy flows required by the grid without compromising any components.

Another visual implementation that was added to the 3D simulator was the Carrier PLC (Power Line Carrier) signal, a common method of communication over high-voltage power lines. This requires components like the CCVT (Coupling Capacitor Voltage Transformer) or LWT (Line Wave Trap), which serve as the interface between the communication equipment and the power line.

Figure 7 shows the wave trap added to the 3D simulator. When two capacitors are present, the system can add resonance in sum with the line (for example, parallel resonance), which can affect the high-frequency PLC signal. A coil of wire is placed in series with the main power line. It acts as a stop filter; it blocks the power frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz) while allowing the high-frequency PLC signals to pass through without traveling into the substation busbar. The communication channel must remain accurate in terms of voltage measurements for protection and metering purposes. Heavily disturbing the PLC signal may lead to communication errors, inaccurate voltage readings, or malfunctions in protection and metering systems.

The external view of the substation was intentionally omitted from the 3D simulation environment as it falls outside the primary objectives of the system. This design decision was guided by the need to optimize memory and enhance computational efficiency. Excluding the non-essential visual elements on the simulator improved the performance, particularly on devices with limited processing capabilities or older hardware configurations. The system remains lightweight and accessible, ensuring reliable operation across a broad range of computing platforms.

Another initial overload condition was identified. Figure 8 shows that the existing transformer configuration at Station C was unable to support the maximum loading demand imposed by the connected generator units. Two 200 MW synchronous generators operating at the station produced a combined output that exceeded the nominal rating of the transformers. This mismatch could result in overload events, increased temperatures, and a risk of accelerated degradation.

To solve the equilibrium, a group of four additional power transformers was installed. This expansion was designed as a balancing intervention to the generator’s units. It ensured that the power transfer associated with the two 200 MW generators remained within industry-accepted operational limits under both normal and contingency conditions. By increasing the number of transformers, the station’s total apparent power capacity was enhanced. The intervention is a clear example of a robust solution that restores the voltage limit with grid planning. In the schematic, the voltage stability at the substation’s busbars minimized the risk of equipment stress and contributed to extending operational lifespan.

During the system analysis, many challenges were identified related to the deployment of equalizing reactive power with compensation devices, including excessive overcompensation and increased operational complications [21,22]. A set of targeted strategies for minimizing the number of compensatory devices was implemented while ensuring reliable system performance. Figure 9 shows the overuse of reactive device solutions:

• Reduction in transformer loading on parity lines.
  To ensure efficient power flow management, the solution is to emphasize it in excessive loads. To avoid this, the analysis indicated that existing transformers significantly influence line loading and power circulation patterns. Reducing the stress on the units by utilizing 2× transformers, it was possible to manage a substantial portion of the power flow without exceeding limits. To handle the generator output more efficiently, the calculation needs to redistribute the load across available substation or station infrastructure.
• Addition of a synchronous compensator.
  To further balance the power flow to maintain voltage stability, the compensator provides dynamic reactive power support, thereby reducing the need for multiple compensation devices across the network. Carefully controlling the limiting number of compensators is necessary because excessive reactive compensation introduces maintenance complexity and creates unwanted interactions in a large power network. The system must remain balanced under various load conditions.
• Reactive power sensitivity and optimal placement analysis.
  The selection of compensation locations was guided by voltage–reactive sensitivity analysis, where buses exhibiting high voltage sensitivity to reactive injections were prioritized. This method minimizes the total reactive power required to achieve voltage regulation, improving efficiency while reducing the number of installed devices. Sensitivity indices were used to identify weak buses and evaluate the marginal impact of each compensator on system voltage profiles.
• Coordination between discrete and continuous compensation devices.
  To avoid control conflicts, a hierarchical coordination strategy was applied between discrete compensation elements (capacitive shunt switches) and continuously controllable devices (synchronous compensator, SVC, STATCOM). Discrete devices were assigned to handle slow, steady-state voltage deviations, while fast-acting power electronic compensators were reserved for dynamic regulation. This separation of control time scales reduces unnecessary switching operations, limits transient disturbances, and extends equipment lifetime.
• Mitigation of reactive power circulation and resonance effects.
  Excessive reactive compensation may induce undesirable circulating reactive currents and resonance phenomena in meshed networks. To mitigate these effects, antiresonance reactors and impedance tuning strategies were incorporated into the design. These measures shift resonance frequencies away from dominant harmonic components and suppress parallel resonance conditions that could amplify voltage distortions or harmonic currents.
• Operational robustness under varying load conditions.
  The proposed reactive power strategy was evaluated under varying load scenarios to ensure robustness against load uncertainty and generator dispatch variations. By minimizing reliance on fixed compensation and emphasizing dynamic reactive sources, the system maintains acceptable voltage profiles (0.9–1.1 pu) while avoiding overcompensation during light-load conditions, a common cause of overvoltage events.

In the 3D simulator, the construction of the autotransformers was detailed with a dual cooling system to resolve more of the overloading issue. To ensure high availability, a reserve autotransformer is included in the design of the substation to mitigate the impact of unexpected outages, specifically those resulting from potential human errors, equipment failures, or contingencies. Figure 10 shows the designs.

For operational flexibility and reliable power delivery, a mobile bay has been designated as a reserve for the outgoing feeder from Substation C. The configuration, shown in Figure 10, provides a modular solution that can be connected to the network during maintenance or load redistribution scenarios. The mobile bay has the same main substation components, including disconnectors, current transformers, feeder arrangement, busbars, and maintains full compatibility. This design allows for seamless connection to the main substation infrastructure without interrupting normal operations, offering an approach to manage peak loads. The deployment of a mobile bay ensures continuity of service for the power system at Station C.

Through the optimizations performed, it was possible to use only two of the four generators in the 240 × 4 Pg2 TB transformers block set, reducing the total load on transformers. In Figure 11, this adjustment allowed for less exploitation of the available resources, reducing the number of active generators and transformers, normalizing power flow, and maintaining the system within more stable operational limits.

To help with the current compensation, damping reactors (antiresonance coil reactors) are installed, which allow rapid adjustments of voltage and current in the power supply system. These reactors ensure voltage stability and reduce unwanted oscillations that may occur due to variable loads or resonance phenomena. Figure 12 shows an example of the antiresonance behavior effect on reactive power.

For the antiresonance effect [22], it is observed that resonance frequencies in a combined LC network are shifted equally, and the shapes of the complementary impedance curves appear mirrored. In power system analysis, this phenomenon is reflected as a shift in points where impedance reaches its maximum or minimum antiresonance. This effect is best seen with the inclusion of compensation devices, such as SVCs, STATCOMs, synchronous compensators, and the capacitive shunt switch.

Reactive power compensation consists of using two thyristors connected in opposite polarity, which detect and control each half cycle of the AC supply. Through this, the reactive current can be regulated, improving the power factor and reducing losses in the network [23,24]. Figure 13 shows details for SVC and STATCOM.

The details for SVC:

• Fast, precise regulation of voltage and current. The TCR thyristor-controlled reactor is the main component of the dynamic compensation system. It can inject or absorb reactive power depending on the needs of the system.
• Harmonic elimination and current filtering. Harmonic currents generated by nonlinear loads must be filtered to prevent waveform distortion. The most common harmonics are the 5th and 7th, followed by the 11th, 13th, 17th, etc. These harmonics can cause equipment overheating and energy losses.
• Passive filters bring an inductive reactive component that can generate an offset in the current waveform. To compensate for this effect and stay in optimal power factor, the TCR is injecting inductive or capacitive reactive power as needed. Another aspect is connecting the TCR in a delta configuration, which eliminates 3rd-order harmonic currents (such as the 3rd, 9th, 15th, etc.). These currents circulate inside the delta connection and cannot propagate into the main AC system. This significantly reduces distortion and improves the quality of the supplied energy.

The details for STATCOM:

• A STATCOM consists of a VSC voltage source converter connected to the grid via phase reactors, antiresonance or coupling coils, and a transformer.
• An MMC modular multilevel converter configuration, which enables precise correction of the voltage waveform at any point of the sinusoid. Inserting individual sub-modules, the STATCOM achieves fully controlled output voltage, allowing it to “correct each alternation” of the AC waveform with high resolution.
• System provides an ultra-fast dynamic response (<10 ms), significantly improving transient stability. Operating principle:
  • If the current amplitude is low (I < In):
    • In inductive mode, the STATCOM absorbs reactive power (Q) from the network.
    • In capacitive mode, it injects reactive power (Q) into the network.
  • If the current amplitude is high (I > In):
    • In capacitive mode, the STATCOM absorbs reactive power from the network.
    • In inductive mode, it injects reactive power into the network.
• To stabilize transients, the STATCOM uses a 7 mF DC link capacitor as its internal voltage source. This capacitor value provides substantially better network stabilization than a smaller 3.5 mF capacitor. A higher capacitance improves DC link voltage stiffness, reduces oscillatory behavior, and enhances the performance of the converter [25]. Increased oscillations can be caused by an undersized capacitor. Insufficient DC link capacitance leads to voltage ripple, unstable transient behavior, and higher harmonic waves. Over time, this can damage the capacitor’s dielectric insulation and significantly shorten the operational lifetime of the component.

A capacitive shunt switch was available in PowerWorld as a compensation option for controlling voltage levels and improving system stability. In the same manner, as a visual implementation, the solution was added to the 3D simulator. In the optimization studies, both the initial and the large PowerWorld schematics incorporated the device as part of the design solutions required to keep the transmission system within acceptable operating limits.

The updated reactive power compensation levels are applied at locations A and B, resulting in refined operating points for the buses. At location A, the installed compensation value of 37.5 MVAr aligns with the obtained requirement of 41.8 MVAr, while at location B, the installed 60 MVAr capacity corresponds closely to the computed value of 91.9 MVAr. These detailed adjustments ensure improved balance and more stable voltage profiles. Figure 14 shows the device with table values on the large schematic.

The details for the capacitive shunt switch device:

• Fixed reactive compensation steps can generate additional harmonic components. This may lead to waveform distortion and overload on sensitive equipment. The approach involves the use of antiresonance coils, already integrated in the initial design through previously defined methods and placed close to the reactive loads to minimize coupling effects and unwanted resonances.
• The switching module is not synchronized with the waveform. In the network, the switch performs rapid transitions to correct voltage or current deviations, resulting in high-amplitude transients injected into the grid and increasing the stress on the power system.
• The device response time exceeds 70 ms, limiting its capability for dynamic variations. Delay can lead to short periods of reactive imbalance, affecting stability.
• The device must be fully discharged between operations at switching capacitive or inductive injection.

These three technologies offer distinct performance profiles for reactive power compensation. The synchronous compensator provides high physical inertia, which is beneficial for the system’s transient stability. It demonstrates excellent capability for clearing high current faults and maintaining voltage during deep drops (voltage drop < 50%). However, it exhibits a slower voltage response speed and has slower maintenance assembly. On the other hand, power electronic devices, the SVC and the STATCOM, lack physical inertia. The STATCOM offers superior performance, the fastest voltage response, and the highest capability for controlling harmonics. The SVC provides moderate response speed and good maintenance accessibility.

While the STATCOM excels at maintaining voltage, the synchronous compensator is underwhelming in providing high short-circuit current accumulation at the fault location, a capability that is moderate in the SVC and low in the STATCOM. Figure 15 shows the overall picture.

The final method involves adding a reactive element through the controlled board attached directly to the physical component. This allows precise modulation of the reactive component, enabling a real case of dynamic test adjustment of the system’s behavior on simulated operating conditions. By computer control, the method ensures high accuracy and repeatability, minimizing errors in results. Moreover, this technique focuses on the study of the complex interaction between the reactive component and the overall system, providing valuable insights that are difficult to obtain.

An excessive consumption of 300 MW with a lot of 300 MVAr reactive Q requires a high current flow. On disconnecting consumers directly, the effects of wave recovery are immediately visible in the graphs. When extracting values, the first extracted are the positive sequence voltage components, which are then filtered. In Figure 16, envelope wave was designed.

For illustration, on a disconnected consumer, an envelope wave is used to detail the variations in the waveform with a brief explanation of the terms for adjustments. The output is only reactive from the compensator, a value of 162 MVAr to balance the circulation of currents in the system. To illustrate this, the saturation curve will be added. On a saturated region, entering this zone will cause the voltage to be cut off, which is a condition to avoid.

For power flow, in order to stay within the allowable band, it is necessary to add reactive power Q. This will increase consumption but will avoid large amplitude harmonics and severe voltage clipping that could lead to blackouts. As shown in the figure, the hysteresis values will always be acceptable within the normal operating range, but not when the system goes outside this range.

4. Results, Discussion, and Experiments with the Proposed Method in the Simulator

As part of this project, following this workflow, the busbar voltages were successfully brought into acceptable operating bands of 0.9 PU to 1.0 PU. In Figure 17, the values are presented.

The efficacy of the proposed SEEPowerStationVer4 assistance simulator was quantitatively and qualitatively validated by running a series of steady-state power flow scenarios, mirroring the analytical models developed in PowerWorld simulator. The setup included test cases such as

• nominal system operation;
• the dynamic adjustment of reactive power compensation (STATCOM, synchronous compensator, capacitive shunt switch, and SVC units) to manage voltage profiles.

Discussion of the findings centers on the correlation afforded. The results confirm the accurate translation of power flow data (bus voltage magnitudes, line loading, active and reactive power flows) from the analytical simulator to the corresponding physical components within the immersive 3D environment.

This shows that the 3D environment translates topological information into spatial memory, leading to faster recognition and more confident decision-making during simulated contingency events.

Traditional training relies heavily on abstract concepts and simplified diagrams, making the transition to world operational environments challenging. By presenting the system as closely as photorealistic, the simulator and 3D models effectively bridge this gap, providing trainee engineers with a sense of scale and awareness for operations.

The discussion on thermal view was not the primary focus of the simulator; it was nevertheless incorporated. The “Space” button activates the transformer’s temperature view model, allowing users to inspect detailed thermal distributions across transformer surfaces via a color map visualization layer.

The uneven temperature distribution on the cylindrical tanks highlights the areas of intense heating and less efficient cooling. This type of simulation design for maintenance study is necessary, thereby showcasing the prevention of insulation degradation, maximizing the component’s lifespan, and overall reliability. The color map with red and yellow represents the hottest regions (up to 75.0 °C), and blue and green indicate cooler areas (down to 50.3 °C). The visualization shows the main heat source, the windings, and the transformer core transferring heat to the surrounding oil in the tank’s structure. We can mention Figure 18 for more details about the project.

The project included other details such as proper spacing of overhead transmission lines to prevent mutual influence and Corona effects, by installing conductors at different elevations. The design also incorporated multi-level overcrossings of 110/110/220 kV overhead lines to optimize routing safety. Marker balls were installed on high voltage conductors to provide clear visual warnings for civilians and military pilots, especially in areas where the lines traverse obstacle regions or narrow areas, ensuring high visibility against any terrain.

The system has a total of 203 overhead power lines on both 110 kV and 220 kV.

The simulator’s models and algorithms were extensively optimized to manage workload efficiently without straining available resources. Many programs can greatly impact processing requirements and memory demands if they are not properly configured. Factors such as faulty memory loading can introduce additional computation. Achieving the right balance is a delicate optimization process, and improper configurations may result in suboptimal performance.

To guarantee broad compatibility, the application was tested on many different devices and case scenarios, ranging from low resource environments to high workloads to identify any potential issues that could affect stability or responsiveness. This comprehensive process ensured confirmation that the application performs reliably and consistently on virtually any Windows-based computer system, providing users with seamless experience regardless of their setup.

Several commercial power system analysis platforms provide partial capabilities related to the functionality presented in this work. Software such as ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, Siemens PSS/E, and PSCAD offer highly accurate numerical solvers for steady-state, dynamic, and electromagnetic transient studies. Some of these platforms also include limited three-dimensional or pseudo-3D visualization features, typically focused on equipment layout, one-line diagrams, or asset representation.

However, these commercial tools are primarily designed for professional planning, protection studies, and regulatory compliance, where the emphasis is placed on numerical accuracy and large-scale system modeling rather than immersive spatial understanding. Their visualization layers are generally abstract, data-dense, and not intended to represent the physical substation environment in a photorealistic or exploratory manner.

In contrast, the proposed SEEPowerStationVer4 does not aim to replace commercial-grade solvers. Instead, it complements them by focusing on the tight coupling between a validated steady-state PowerWorld model and an interactive 3D environment that explicitly represents substations, transmission structures, and reactive compensation equipment. The key distinction lies in the following educational and cognitive objective: enabling users to directly associate analytical quantities such as voltage, power flow, and reactive compensation with their physical location and spatial relationships.

While commercial software excels in depth, scale, and regulatory rigor, the proposed tool emphasizes accessibility, visual intuition, and pedagogical clarity. This makes it particularly suited for training, classroom demonstration, and conceptual system understanding, where existing commercial solutions may be too complex, abstract, or resource-intensive for effective learning.

Dedicated electromagnetic simulation software (e.g., finite-element or full-wave solvers typically used for electric field, magnetic field, or corona analysis) was not directly integrated, as such tools require detailed material properties, meshing strategies, and high computational cost that are not aligned with the educational and system-level objectives of the proposed framework. Instead, electromagnetic effects are implicitly addressed through engineering constraints already embedded in power system modeling practices, such as line impedance parameters, reactive compensation behavior, spacing rules, and antiresonance design measures.

Figure 19 shows two different computer setup graphs from the tests. Intel Core i9-10900X with an NVIDIA RTX 3090 performed well, reaching an average value of 53.6 frames per second. This means that the simulation ran smoothly. The second setup, Intel Core i3-4005U with an NVIDIA GeForce 820M, was significantly good, achieving an average value of 40.4. This difference of about 13 FPS confirms that the simulation is also responsive on the older hardware, less powerful computers. Neither setup had any noticeable stuttering or spikes; as shown, they had a value of zero, which means both simulations ran consistently in the time recorded, but one was much faster overall.

A strong correlation was observed between analytical power flow outputs and their representation within the 3D environment. Changes in bus voltage magnitude, line loading, and reactive power flows were consistently and accurately reflected in the visual models. This correspondence validates the simulator as a faithful representation of analytical results and confirms its suitability for both educational and professional training applications. Users were able to identify critical system states more rapidly when supported by spatial visualization, indicating enhanced situational awareness.

Although the simulator is presented with a photorealistic appearance, consistency with real-world substations is ensured through a constraint-based modeling approach rather than purely visual rendering. All major 3D components (busbars, transformers, transmission structures, compensation devices, and line routing) are constructed according to standardized substation design rules, nominal voltage levels, equipment spacing requirements, and topological connectivity derived directly from the PowerWorld steady-state model. Electrical parameters such as bus voltage magnitude, active and reactive power flows, and line loading are continuously synchronized with the analytical solver, ensuring that the visual state of each component reflects its actual operating condition.

While high-voltage operation is inherently associated with electromagnetic field (EMF) phenomena such as corona discharge, electric field gradients, magnetic coupling, and electromagnetic interference, these effects are not explicitly solved using full-wave electromagnetic field solvers in the current implementation. The simulator focuses on steady-state power-flow behavior and reactive power interactions, where voltage magnitude, current flow, and reactive exchange dominate system-level performance.

Existing 3D visualization tools for power systems primarily focus on geometric fidelity, asset documentation, or infrastructure visualization, often disconnected from real-time or scenario-dependent electrical behavior. In contrast, the proposed simulator embeds electrical causality into the visualization itself. Visual changes are not manually scripted or illustrative but emerge directly from the analytical solution of the power-flow equations. This distinction moves the tool beyond visualization toward an interactive explanatory framework, which, to the authors’ knowledge, has not been fully realized in existing educational-oriented power system simulators.

The proposed method follows a structured workflow that links analytical steady-state power-flow computation with interactive three-dimensional visualization.

The framework consists of the following four sequential stages: (i) analytical system modeling, (ii) steady-state simulation and parameter extraction, (iii) synchronized 3D environment generation, and (iv) scenario-based validation and interaction. Each stage has a well-defined role and data exchange interface, ensuring consistency, repeatability, and traceability of results.

Although the primary objective of the proposed simulator is educational and explanatory rather than predictive optimization, quantitative validation metrics were defined to verify consistency between the analytical power-flow model and its 3D representation. The validation focuses on the preservation of steady-state electrical quantities and their correct mapping to visual components.

Voltage deviation consistency was evaluated by comparing bus voltage magnitudes obtained from the PowerWorld solver with the values displayed in the 3D environment. For all tested operating scenarios, including nominal load, peak load, and reactive compensation adjustments, the absolute deviation remained below ${10}^{-3}$ pu, confirming numerical fidelity.

Line loading accuracy was assessed by comparing branch current and apparent power loading percentages between the analytical model and the 3D simulator. The maximum relative difference observed across all monitored lines was below 0.5%, which is within acceptable limits for steady-state visualization and training purposes.

Reactive power mapping correctness was validated by monitoring the reactive power injection or absorption of synchronous compensators, SVCs, STATCOMs, and shunt capacitors. In all cases, the direction and magnitude of reactive power exchange shown in the 3D environment matched the solver outputs, correctly reflecting voltage regulation behavior under different scenarios.

Scenario repeatability was verified by re-running identical power-flow cases and confirming deterministic visual outcomes for identical analytical inputs, demonstrating consistency and reproducibility of the visualization pipeline.

To evaluate robustness, the system was subjected to load variations ranging from light-load to peak-demand conditions. The optimized configuration-maintained voltage stability across the full range did not require manual reconfiguration of compensation devices. Under light-load conditions, the reduced reliance on fixed shunt compensation prevented overvoltage events, while during peak demand, the dynamic compensators successfully injected sufficient reactive power to prevent voltage collapse. This demonstrates the adaptability of the proposed method under realistic operational uncertainty.

5. Conclusions and Future Work

In conclusion, the simulator is a strong educational tool, enhancing comprehension of complex power system behaviors directly linking analytical results to spatial visualization, faster recognition of topological information, and supporting confident decision-making for trainee engineers and operators. Moreover, the simulator’s flexible design allows for future work on extending it into a more dynamic tool for advanced power flow visualization and analysis, expansion to other operating systems and mobile platforms, ensuring its long-term sustainability and continued value for interactive digital e-learning and experimentation.

It should be noted that the goal of the proposed simulator is not to improve numerical solution accuracy relative to established solvers, but to ensure faithful and consistent translation of analytical results into an interactive 3D environment; therefore, validation metrics are defined around consistency, fidelity, and repeatability rather than prediction error.

This integration of computational power flow solvers with immersive visualization aligns with current pedagogical trends toward experiential learning in power engineering. The approach also provides a research testbed capable of synthesizing structural, operational, and perceptual insights, thereby supporting both academic and industrial knowledge transfer.

The development and validation of the simulator demonstrate its effectiveness in bridging the gap. This approach moves learning beyond numerical tables and graphs. The heuristic learning method gives insight through interaction and observation, supporting classroom demonstrations and enhancing comprehension.

The effectiveness of the simulator was validated through a series of steady-state power flow scenarios, confirming its ability to accurately translate analytical into corresponding 3D visual components. The project also placed significant emphasis on practical design considerations identified through power flow analysis, ensuring that the system operated within acceptable voltage limits, typically between 0.9·Vn and 1.1·Vn. Key optimizations included reducing single overhead transmission lines to double-line configurations to accommodate higher power transfers and reduce current loading and reducing additional transformers at critical stations to support generator output and maintain proper voltage levels. Moreover, the paper analysis targeted reactive power compensation equipment strategies, including the use of a synchronous compensator, SVC, capacitive shunt switch, and STATCOM to enhance voltage stability.

A comparative assessment of synchronous compensators, SVCs, STATCOMs, and capacitive shunt devices was conducted under identical loading conditions. The STATCOM exhibited the fastest response and best voltage regulation during rapid load changes, while the synchronous compensator provided superior fault current contribution and system inertia. SVCs offered a compromise between dynamic performance and implementation complexity. Fixed shunt capacitors proved effective only under narrow operating ranges and required careful coordination to prevent overvoltage under light-load conditions. These observations align with established theoretical models and confirm the simulator’s ability to reproduce realistic device behavior.

Overall, the research confirms that visualization-assisted power flow analysis represents a valuable complementary tool to conventional numerical methods, capable of enhancing understanding, improving operational efficiency, and supporting informed decision-making in increasingly complex electrical power systems.

From an educational perspective, the simulator significantly reduced the cognitive gap between abstract numerical data and physical system behavior. Students and trainee engineers demonstrated improved understanding of reactive power flow, voltage regulation mechanisms, and substation topology. From an operational standpoint, the simulator supports intuitive diagnosis of overloads and voltage issues, enabling faster and more confident decision-making. These results suggest that the proposed system can serve as a valuable complement to conventional power system analysis tools.

The claims regarding improved learning and decision-making are not intended to represent the outcome of a formal pedagogical study. Rather, they reflect observed improvements in conceptual understanding, situational awareness, and reasoning consistency when users interact with solver-driven 3D visualization compared to traditional numerical tables and one-line diagrams.

A structured educational experiment (e.g., controlled pre-/post-testing with statistical analysis) was not conducted within the scope of this work. Nevertheless, the educational impact of the proposed simulator was explored through guided classroom demonstrations and scenario-based interaction during power system courses and project evaluations.

A limitation of the present study is the absence of a formal educational assessment using control groups, standardized learning metrics, or long-term retention analysis. Future work will focus on structured pedagogical evaluation, including pre-/post-test comparison, user performance benchmarking, and quantitative assessment of decision-making accuracy, to rigorously validate the educational benefits of solver-driven 3D visualization.

Unlike prior studies that focus either on static 3D visualization or purely numerical power-flow analysis, the proposed SEEPowerStationVer4 uniquely integrates a full steady-state PowerWorld model with an interactive 3D substation and transmission environment. This integration enables direct visual correlation between electrical quantities (voltages, power flows, and reactive compensation behavior) and their physical counterparts, representing a clear methodological and educational breakthrough over existing approaches.

While the results demonstrate strong performance in steady-state conditions, the current implementation does not explicitly model transients or protection system dynamics. Consequently, the findings are primarily applicable to steady-state and quasi-static operating scenarios. Future work may extend the simulator to include transient stability analysis, protection coordination, and real-time hardware-in-the-loop integration.

The simulator is intended as a decision-support and conceptual learning aid rather than a quantitatively validated instructional intervention.