As depicted herein, the Energy Management System Engine 2802 can be integrated within a power analytics server 116 that can be communicatively connected via a network connection 114 with a data acquisition hub 112, a client terminal 128 and a virtual system model database 526. The virtual system model database 526 can be configured to store the virtual system model of the electrical system 102. The virtual system model can be constantly updated with real-time data from the data acquisition hub 112 to effectively account for the natural aging effects of the hardware that comprise the total electrical power system, thus, mirroring the real operating conditions of the system.
In addition to being communicatively connected to the data acquisition hub 112 and the client 128, the Energy Management System Engine 2802 can also be interfaced with the predictive elements of the power analytics server. The predictive elements of the power analytics server 116 may relate to the real-time health, performance, efficiency, reliability and availability of the electrical system 102. For example, the predictions can be indicative of the real-time ability of the electrical system 102 to: 1. sustain power demand and maintain sufficient active and reactive power reserve to cope with ongoing changes in demand and system disturbances due to contingencies, 2. operate safely with minimum operating cost while maintaining an adequate level of reliability, and 3. provide an acceptably high level of power quality (maintaining voltage and frequency within tolerable limits) when operating under contingency conditions.