Introductions

Yannick Vernay:

“My name is Yannick Vernay. I am the manager of a team dedicated to power electronics and electromagnetic transients simulation. We provide technical support for RTE's projects, and we are heavily involved in R&D activities.”

Sébastien Dennetière:

“My name is Sébastien Dennetière. I’m a power system expert at RTE, working mainly on EMT simulations to support the integration of power-electronics-based technologies such as HVDC, FACTS, inverter-based resources, and large industrial loads into the transmission grid.”

Yannick Vernay:

“RTE is the French transmission system operator, and our main mission is to ensure the reliability and security of the electricity transmission grid in France.
At the same time, the power system is undergoing a profound transformation, and one of our key objectives is to use the grid as a major enabler of the energy transition. This means facilitating the integration of large amounts of renewable energy, such as offshore wind and solar power.

Another important goal for RTE is to create value for the French economy by providing a reliable and efficient electricity system that supports industrial competitiveness.

And finally, because the European power system is becoming increasingly interconnected, RTE also aims to play a strong role in shaping the future of the European electricity sector and supporting the development of a more integrated and resilient European grid.

From a technical point of view, these changes present significant challenges to integrating more converters into the electrical system. This means that we must adapt our tools and methods to achieve this integration.”

Sébastien Dennetière:

“At RTE, we mainly use Hardware-in-the-Loop simulations, and more specifically for Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop, where real protection and control cubicles are interfaced with a real-time simulator that reproduces the behavior of the power system.

These simulations complement our offline EMT studies, especially when we want to assess the dynamic performance of HVDC and FACTS devices.
But beyond studies, the HiL platform is also extensively used to support maintenance activities. RTE is responsible for the maintenance of these assets, and the HL platform has become an essential tool for that.

For example, we use it to test software or hardware updates, to prepare maintenance interventions before going on site, and also to train maintenance teams. For these kinds of activities, engineers are not really focused on the simulator itself. For them, the simulator should simply behave like the real grid: it should run continuously, be stable, robust, and easy to use. Their focus is really on the protection and control hardware and software.

That is why the reliability of the real-time simulator is so important for us. And when an issue occurs, it is crucial to have fast support and quick solutions.
This is exactly why having a strong relationship with RTDS is so valuable for RTE.”

Sébastien Dennetière:

“In addition to my role at RTE, I also work with RTE International, and through this activity I have already had several successful experiences using RTDS simulators on HVDC projects, particularly for offshore grid connections.

At RTE International, we use RTDS solutions extensively to de-risk the operation of some of the first HVDC schemes operating in parallel in grid-forming control mode. For example, we operate a Hardware-in-the-Loop platform that has been in service since 2019, where three protection and control replicas are connected to two NovaCor racks. This platform is used continuously to support the operation of the system in the field.

We also have additional HVDC protection and control replicas for major offshore wind connections to the UK grid, including the Sofia and Dogger Bank C projects. These systems are interfaced with three NovaCor racks.

In addition, we have integrated a Software-in-the-Loop solution into this setup, using black-box models provided by wind turbine manufacturers and implemented on GTSOC boards.
Overall, this experience has really demonstrated the value of real-time simulation platforms for supporting both project development and the long-term operation of HVDC systems.”

Yannick Vernay:

“We are very happy about this collaboration agreement with RTDS. For RTE, the main objective is really to secure and enhance our use of real-time simulation for Hardware-in-the-Loop applications.

This is becoming increasingly important to us, particularly in terms of reducing the risks associated with integrating new technologies into the grid, such as HVDC systems and large-scale renewable energy projects, including offshore wind farms.

At RTE, we have been using protection and control replicas in our laboratory for more than ten years now. Over time, Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation has become a key tool for many different applications and especially for the asset management of the control and protection system of HVDC converter station. We use it for dynamic performance assessment, post-event analysis, training of operational teams, testing protection, control software updates, correction maintenance actions and even for cybersecurity studies.

In this environment, real-time simulators play a central role, because these replicas simply cannot operate without the real-time simulation platform behind them. Therefore, our first requirement is to have a reliable and powerful simulation environment to ensure high availability of the replica control system.

So for us it is very important not only to maintain strong internal expertise in this area, but also to build a close relationship with the company that develops and supports this technology.”