Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) are a critical milestone in HVDC projects, requiring the verification of complex control and protection functions under a wide range of operating conditions. This presentation describes the development of a Python-based test automation framework for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test environments using Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) technology.
The focus of the work was the creation of an automated solution capable of interacting with real hardware and software components while maintaining flexibility for different test scenarios. Key challenges included establishing reliable communication with physical devices, dynamically detecting and evaluating the current state of the system under test, and controlling software functions in a fully automated manner. The framework combines real-time system monitoring, automated test execution, and result evaluation to reduce manual effort and improve test repeatability.
The presentation outlines the design decisions, implementation steps, and lessons learned during development. It also highlights how test automation can increase the efficiency, consistency, and scalability of HVDC FAT activities while supporting high-quality validation of control and protection systems.
Presented by: Niklas Strunz, Siemens Energy