ABSTRACT:
Southern California Edison (SCE) initiated the development of a Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) model of its bulk power transmission network to support transmission-level studies, including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing.
The original model was developed using earlier versions of RSCAD for PB5 rack-based RTDS systems and was distributed across 14 subsystems (racks), interconnected through transmission lines. It captured the complete 230 kV and 525 kV systems, along with selected 345 kV, 115 kV, and lower voltage buses.
Since the model’s initial development, the SCE transmission system has undergone significant changes. With renewed interest from various departments in leveraging the model for advanced studies, the original model was updated to reflect the latest network configuration and migrated to the NovaCor platform.
The updated model has been validated for both power flow and short-circuit strength, providing a solid foundation for further analysis. This model was used for HIL testing of a Static Var Compensator (SVC) replica controller as part of the SVC upgrade project at one of the SCE Substations. The findings of these tests helped update the SVC control, and it was successfully commissioned in the field.
This presentation will outline the key steps, challenges, and strategies involved in developing and updating SCE’s bulk power RTDS model, as well as the integration of the SVC replica controller for HIL testing.
Presented by Venkat Lakshminarayanan, Nayak Corporation