• APPLICATIONS

    Protection Systems

    Validate relay behaviour and de-risk novel protection schemes.

    HVDC & FACTS

    Gain confidence in the performance of critical projects with HIL testing.

    Digital Substations & IEC 61850

    Perform closed-loop testing via communication protocols.

    Wide Area Schemes & PMUs

    Simulate and stream IEC/IEEE 60255-118-1 synchrophasors in real time.

    Distribution Automation

    Improve the performance of distribution automation systems and DERMS.

    Microgrids & Renewable Energy

    Achieve superior resilience through HIL testing of microgrid protection and control.

    Power Plant Controllers

    Test renewable power plant controllers (PPCs) in a closed loop, including communication delays.

    Power Electronics HIL

    Test controls in a closed loop with simulated high-frequency switching circuits.

    Power Hardware-in-the-Loop

    Test DERs, motors, loads, and other real power hardware in a controlled environment.

    Cybersecurity

    Prevent and survive cyber events via thorough real-time testing.

    Education & Training

    Validate the performance of novel technologies and improve operator confidence.

  • TECHNOLOGY

    OUR TECHNOLOGY

    Start here to learn about real time simulation and discover the technology that makes hardware-in-the-loop testing possible.

    Simulation Hardware

    NovaCor™: the powerful, custom-developed hardware platform at the heart of the simulator.

    Communication Protocols

    Exchange data with external devices in real time through Ethernet and Network Interface Card.

    Modelling Library

    The most diverse, robust, and accurate real time power system modelling library available.

    Graphical User Interface

    RSCAD® allows the configuration, execution, and analysis of real-time simulations.

    Simulation Algorithm

    Learn about EMT simulation, the Dommel algorithm, and multi-rate simulation.

    Case Studies

    Learn how real time simulation supports power system innovation around the globe.

  • NEWS & EVENTS

    STAY INFORMED

    Join our mailing list to get everything “RTDS” in one place: from webinar announcements, industry news, and event details. 

    News Feed

    Technology updates, conferences, training courses and webinars, and other news.

    Events & Webinars

    See what events are on deck at RTDS Technologies.

    Training Events

    Check out our schedule for training at our facility in Winnipeg, Canada.

  • ABOUT

    ABOUT US

    RTDS Technologies changed the power industry forever by introducing the world’s first fully digital real-time power system simulator.

    Our Customers

    Leaders in their craft & main drivers of our innovation – simulating the grid of tomorrow.

    Careers

    Discover opportunities to join the world-class team at RTDS Technologies.

  • RESOURCE CENTRE

    KNOWLEDGE BASE

    Easy access to technical papers, product & application information, and more.

    Training & Support Info

    Hands-on training opportunities and unparalleled user support.

    Warranty & Maintenance Info

    Accessible, comprehensive equipment maintenance to eliminate downtime.

    Video Resource Library

    Video training resources for RTDS Simulator users.

    Knowledge Base

    Easy access to technical papers, product & application information, and more.

    Training & Support

    Hands-on training opportunities and unparalleled user support.

    Warranty & Maintenance

    Accessible, comprehensive equipment maintenance to eliminate downtime.

    Client Login

    Access our client area with your credentials here.

  • CONTACT
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MICROGRIDS & RENEWABLE ENERGY

HIL testing for renewable, resilient, and reputable grids

Wind turbines at sunset

De-risk renewable energy and microgrids with real-time simulation and HIL testing

Microgrids require multiple tiers of control and protection to function as both a seamless part of the utility grid and as resilient independent networks capable of supplying local critical loads.

The RTDS Simulator allows engineers to model the behaviour of macro- and microgrids over a large frequency range in real time. This allows real microgrid control and protection, as well as physical DERs and their converters, to be connected to the simulated network and tested to significantly reduce risk and improve performance prior to deployment.

Microgrid control and protection devices connected in a closed loop with the RTDS Simulator

Combining HIL and PHIL testing creates a powerful microgrid testbed capable of physically connecting the simulated network, controllers requiring low-level or Ethernet-based signals, protection requiring secondary-level signals, and real power hardware exchanging real and reactive power with the simulated environment.

Learn about renewable energy simulation and testing
by watching our free webinars

Investigating Inverter-Based Resources' Impact on Transmission Line Protection

Learn about an exciting project from Quanta Technology as part of our User Spotlight Series 2.0
Click to Watch

Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing Fundamentals

A solar PV panel and inverter are tested in a closed loop with the simulation in this webinar and demo
Click to Watch

Real-time Simulation for De-Risking Energy Storage Integration

Battery, flywheel, and pumped hydro storage solutions are explored in this webinar and demo
Click to Watch

Modelling library for renewable energy and microgrids

For more information on our models, please contact us or search our Knowledge Base, coming soon.

Solar PV array, wind turbine, PEM fuel cell, Lithium Ion energy storage, reactive power compensation, dynamic loads, wound rotor / doubly fed induction machine, squirrel cage induction machine, permanent magnet synchronous machine.

2- and 3-level VSCs switching in the 50+ kHz range, custom topology VSCs, average VSC models (less computationally intensive).

 

Freely configurable controls components allow the modeling of:

P&Q droop control, DQ-current control, MPPT, pitch angle control, sync check, startup/shutdown, governor/exciter models. Control systems developed in MATLAB/SIMULINK can be directly imported.

 

High-speed TCP/UDP, DNP3, IEC 60870-5-104, IEC 61850-9-2LE Sampled Values, IEC 61850 GOOSE Messaging, IEEE C37.118 for synchrophasor data.

Test every tier of microgrid control to improve reliability, economic, and environmental performance

Tertiary Control​

Use DNP3, IEC 60870-5-104, and more to connect the simulated network to high-level controls and management systems including DMS and SCADA. Optimize power flow and market participation and quantify performance prior to energization.

Secondary Control

Test centralized microgrid controllers against functional requirements in real time. De-risk against misoperation and instability during planned and unplanned disconnection and improve voltage and frequency resilience in contingency scenarios.

Primary Control​

Mitigate negative interactions between parallel-connected converters using real time, instantaneous results. Combine virtual and physical DER protection and control in a testbed to comprehensively assess performance over a wide range of conditions.

Watch the video above for an introduction on real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing, learn how and why it’s beneficial in the microgrid space, and see a demo showing HIL testing of a commercial microgrid controller.

Related Information

Solar panels, wind turbines, and transmission lines

Microgrid Simulation and Testing

Webinar: HIL Validation of Power Plant Controller (PPC) Model

Diagram of power electronics HIL system

Substep: High-Fidelity Simulation and Testing

+1 204 989 9700

rtds.general@ametek.com

RTDS Technologies Inc.
150 Innovation Drive.
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2E1
CANADA

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