Why AGORA Always Works
Iterative vs. Non-Iterative Solutions

Current systems solve their load flow equations with methodologies based on iterative mathematics that rely on a “best guess” as a starting point when searching for a solution. Each iteration thereafter brings the system closer and closer to a solution—though not necessarily the best solution or even the correct physical solution. When the system reaches an answer that is within the desired tolerance, this is called “convergence.”

There are two problems with this approach:

1. The need to guess at a starting point—when a system approaches collapse, a starting point that will allow the system to reach convergence within a reasonable time may fall way outside the norm. This makes any system based on iterative mathematics likely to fail just when you need it most.

2. Once an iterative process converges on a mathematical solution, it stops calculating. This does not guarantee that the solution provided will correspond to the real-time state of the physical grid. The equation used will have multiple solutions, only one of which corresponds to the physical grid real-time situation.

AGORA, on the other hand, doesn't guess at a starting point because it doesn't need one. Its innovative, non-iterative method guarantees the best solution—one that corresponds to the real-time state of the physical grid. What's more, the AGORA system has the ability to dynamically estimate and reconstruct values where data is missing or insufficiently adequate, in a plausible and coherent manner. And that means the system will continue to provide the best available solution nearly 100% of the time, even under the most difficult circumstances.

Please see our detailed presentation of convergence issues with Newton-Raphson iterative load flow calculations.