A complete extended Ward equivalent approach is proposed for on-line s
ecurity assessment of a power system. This new approach combines the o
ff-line topological modelling of the extended Ward equivalent with on-
line updating of the parameters of the equivalent model for representi
ng real time topology changes of the external system. Test results ind
icate that the new equivalent model has an excellent response from the
external system to the contingencies of the internal system. (C) 1997
Elsevier Science S.A.