Supporting the Energy System Transition to Renewables using Real Time Simulators

Europe, and other parts of the world, have launched significant efforts to transition their power grids to renewable energy sources. Experience, as well as research, are revealing complications and risks in those efforts that must be addressed.

1. As the penetration of converter based generation in power grids increases, it is necessary to study system performance and stability using Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) simulation rather than traditional RMS simulation.

2. The increasing prevalence of HVDC links connecting offshore wind power to land is resulting in a heightened risk of interaction between these and other schemes.

3. There is a desire to optimize the use of HVDC by interconnecting links in so called DC grids. DC grids have not been realized to this point in time and need to be studied carefully and de-risked before being implemented.

4. There is an effort to have HVDC schemes supplied by multiple vendors rather than the single vendor model currently followed. Multi-vendor solutions bring new risks and challenges that must be addresses.

5. HVDC schemes are being used and planned to strengthen power transmission systems, enabling more controllable transport with greater density.

6. The large scale production of green hydrogen is planned using electrolyzers
powered by renewable energy. There is discussion to co-locate the hydrogen production on so called energy islands together with HVDC converter stations so that the supply of hydrogen and electrical power can be optimized.

Real time simulation can and will play a direct role in the development and de-risking of the efforts outlined above. Our paper will provide more detail on how real time simulators will be used, their functionality and capabilities.