User Spotlight Series: Week 1
Feasibility Study for the Implementation of a Digital Twin in a Low-Voltage Grid Area
Abstract: In cooperation with the local distribution operator of Erlangen ESTW AG, FAU-LEES is testing the concept of a digital twin on an urban low-voltage network. The aim of the project is the optimal coupling of real network operation and simulation. For this purpose, a section of the network area is modeled on RTDS and coupled with field measuring devices via a data interface. The measurement data, which consist of three-phase load flow values are imported automatically into RTDS and initialize the real time simulation. For this purpose, the dft-files are manipulated, whereas the runtime is not intervened. For automated import of load flow data in the digital twin a Python interface is coded. The Python interface handles the import of the measurement data from the power grid monitoring software GridVis, which is a data management tool used by the DSO. The initial load flow in RSCAD is validated by comparison of the results with a corresponding offline model in PSS®Sincal. The results of a feasibility study for a small network cutout will be shown in the presentation.
Presenter: Timo Wagner, FAU
Timo Wagner is a research associate at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). Timo finished his studies in Electrical Engineering at the Friedrich-Alexander University in March 2020. After his studies, he started in May 2020 as research associate at the Institute of Electrical Energy Systems.
The aim of Timo’s work at the Institute of Electrical Energy Systems is the development of digital twins on RTDS for online dynamic stability assessment. The concept includes the integration of a single source of truth for data exchange and management between different offline and online network analysis tools. Finally, several stability investigations including Power Hardware-in-The-Loop tests can be performed on a digital twin. In different research projects, Timo is working on different voltage levels adapting the concept on the specific research requirements.
Timo can be contacted under the email address timo.wagner@fau.de.
HIL Validation of Power Plant Controller Model
Abstract: There is an increasing requirement to supply Inverter Based Resource (IBR) models compiled using the actual code used in the inverter-controls to allow detailed electro-magnetic transient (emt) studies. Similarly, emt models of Power Plant Controllers (PPC) which are commonly used for managing these utility-scale renewable energy plants are also required to be provided to the utilities. However, validation of such emt models against the performance of actual hardware controller is rarely presented. Because the same source code is used in the model, it is presumed that the performance is identical. However, this assumption may not be satisfactory to all end-users. Validation via field tests is narrow in scope and can be cost prohibitive. The hardware-in-loop (HIL) validation using a real-time digital simulator is a good approach.
RTDS is a world renowned real-time digital simulator for HIL testing of power system controls and protection systems. This article discusses a unique use case where the RTDS simulator was used for validating a PSCAD™ model of Nor-Cal Control’s PPC against its PLC based hardware controller. In addition, the testbed can also be used as a productivity tool for a wide range of functions from testing a PPC concept in the development phase to factory acceptance test of a fully assembled PPC system. The article contains plots comparing dynamic performance results.
Presenter: Om Nayak, Nayak Corp
Dr. Om Nayak is the President of Nayak Corporation which represents RTDS and PSCAD in the US. His area of expertise is electromagnetic transients modeling and simulation of power systems. He has extensive hands-on experience with RTDS and PSCAD as a developer, user and a consultant to many utilities in the US.
Dr. Nayak obtained his bachelor’s degree from Mysore University, India and M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from University of Manitoba, Canada, all specializing in power systems. His past industry experience includes his work at Bosch and Siemens in India and Manitoba Hydro International in Winnipeg, Canada. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE.
Watch the recorded presenations:
