The capabilities required of an optimal power flow (OPF) program are discussed. The architecture and functionality of an information-oriented shell built around GE's OPTIFLOW OPF program are described. The shell enhances the program's user friendliness, input data quality, and maintainability. It provides guidance to the user in selecting the appropriate control options. It also alleviates the need for performing mundane bookkeeping tasks such as managing or storing the input data sets by incorporating automated data handling and manipulation capabilities. The key components of the shell are a central database for improved data consistency, integrity, and security; an interactive user interface with detailed online context-sensitive help for improved productivity and efficiency; and an executive for transparently controlling the interaction between the different components of the system. All the shell components and the OPF program can run on 80386-based personal computers, workstations, and mainframes.
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