Stability-Constrained AC Optimal Power Flow -- A Gaussian Process-Based Approach

Abstract: The Alternating Current Optimal Power Flow (ACOPF) problem is a core task in power system operations, aimed at determining cost-effective generation dispatch while satisfying physical and operational constraints. However, conventional ACOPF formulations rely on steady-state models and neglect the dynamic behavior of generators, which can lead to operating points that are economically optimal but dynamically unstable. This paper proposes a novel, data-driven approach to incorporate generator dynamics into the ACOPF using Gaussian Process (GP) models. Specifically, it introduces an exponential surrogate function to characterize the stability of solutions to the differential equations governing synchronous generator dynamics. The exponent, which indicates whether system trajectories decay (stable) or grow (unstable), is learned as a function of the bus voltage using GP regression. Crucially, the framework enables probabilistic stability assessment to be integrated directly into the optimization process. The resulting dynamics-aware ACOPF formulation identifies operating points that satisfy both operational safety and dynamic stability criteria. Numerical experiments on the IEEE 39-bus, 57-bus, and 118-bus systems demonstrate that the proposed method efficiently captures generator dynamics using limited training data, leading to more reliable and robust decisions across a wide range of operating conditions.