MICROGRID

REAL-TIME SIMULATION

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 Leading the way in
microgrid laboratory testing

OPAL-RT’s mission is to make the benefits of fast and real-time Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing
simulation available to as many engineers working on microgrids as
Connect control and protection devices to a real-time simulation of a power grid to study their
possible. Whether you are in industry or academia, we have you covered. functionality in a closed-loop setting. Devices are connected to the simulator via low voltage/current
signals and industrial communication protocols.
While microgrids and their Distributed Energy Resources For these reasons, many microgrid applications are
(DERs) offer operational and economic benefits, they well suited to Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Power
differ substantially from traditional power grids bringing Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) testing. To the extent PRIMARY CONTROL SECONDARY CONTROL TERTIARY CONTROL
challenges currently being addressed by utilities, that HIL is recommended by the IEEE Standard for the Control Transition Supervisory
and protection and dispatch functions and market functions
equipment providers, system integrators and academics. Testing of microgrid Controllers (IEEE 2030.8-2018).
Acts on individual Distributed Acts on the entire microgrid to Manages the import/export of
In contrast to a typical distribution feeder, microgrids OPAL-RT TECHNOLOGIES has recognized the power of Energy Resources (DERs) manage deviations in voltage power from the microgrid to the
to maintain voltage and frequency and amplitude. main grid or to other microgrids
may operate independently, export power to the main HIL and PHIL, and over the last decade, we have strived frequency stability. Coordinates islanding events. based on economic criteria.
grid and have different topologies involving AC, DC or to help engineers employ these types of Real-Time
a combination of both. Their control and protection Simulation for their microgrid projects. For the next REAL-TIME
systems can be complex (i.e. multi-level and distributed) decade, OPAL-RT will also offer advanced solutions for SIMULATOR
involving equipment from multiple vendors making faster-than-real-time software-in-the-loop solution (SIL)
interoperability during key functions (e.g. islanding) a to analyse the integration of very large number of DER
concern. As with other electrical systems, field testing of and microgrids to transmission and distribution systems.
microgrid products and integrated systems on live grids
can be risky.

SOURCE / SINK
BATTERY
PV EMULATOR

POWER CONVERTER
AC/DC
DC/DC

4Q PHIL AMPLIFIER
AC/DC MODES

Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL)

Emulate AC or DC grids to test power devices (inverters, rectifiers,
batteries, etc.) under realistic conditions while incorporating
closed-loop interactions with a real-time simulator. Requires a power
amplifier or power supply based on specific application.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | ALSETLab
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 Hardware-in-the loop made
for microgrids

Microgrids export power to the main grid and have varying

topologies involving AC, DC or a combination of both.

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing has been embraced The safe low-power capability of HIL allows engineers to: Unmatched Straightforward Test fast DER Emulate devices
by the energy sector as a standard approach in the ■ Test and optimize devices to improve quality and connectivity co-simulation controllers virtually
development, validation and integration of control and detect flaws prior to release and/or installation, OPAL-RT simulators are More than one OPAL-RT Test high-frequency Setting up a testbench
protection systems, including microgrid systems. HIL
■ Accelerate research, product development and made to connect to nearly solver can be used DER power electronics with real grid devices can
is performed by connecting devices via low voltage/
system integration, every primary, secondary simultaneously on the controllers with our be costly or sometimes
current signals and industrial communication protocols
and tertiary control device same real-time simulator proven approach unnecessary. Emulate
to a real-time power grid simulation based on high- ■ Demonstrate proofs of concept and new products
via low-voltage analog and using one or more that combines sub-μs additional control and
fidelity models. This model-based approach allows for
For microgrids, OPAL-RT offers flexible all-in-one HIL digital I/O modules, and processors and FPGA EMT simulation with a protection devices virtually
a closed-loop interaction between the Devices-Under-
solutions capable of simulating the systems required industrial communication allowing for simple co- low-latency simulator with our rich device and
Test (DUT) and simulator so that baseline and edge
for Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Control and protocols. simulation configuration. architecture and fast I/Os. protocol libraries.
scenarios may be studied.
Protection applications.

PROTECTIVE
RELAY
REAL-TIME
TERTIARY SIMULATOR
CONTROLLER

SECONDARY
CONTROLLER

POINT
OF
ISLANDING

ENERGY
PRIMARY SOURCE
CONTROLLER
ENERGY
STORAGE

GENSET

WIND
TURBINE

LOAD
POWER AC/DC power bus
CONVERTER ENERGY
SOURCE Communication bus
Control/sensor signals
Breaker
Emulated controller
Virtual relay

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 Software
made for microgrids

Bring microgrid Simulink® models to real time with RT-LAB Toolboxes to cover every application
Microgrid applications vary significantly in terms of system frequency and scale. No single circuit solver
is perfect for every application. Don’t compromise. Choose the solver(s) that work for your application.

Fully integrated with MATLAB/

Simulink®, RT-LAB enables Simulink
models to interact with real world in eHS ARTEMIS ePHASORSIM
real time. This makes RT-LAB ideal FPGA-Based Power Electronics CPU-based Electrical Toolbox Electro-Mechanical Toolbox
for engineers to rapidly develop and Toolbox Time step 10-100 μs Time step 1-10 ms
validate their applications in real time, Time step 100 ns – 1 μs
A real-time electromagnetic A time-series phasor-domain solver
regardless of their complexity.
Test high-frequency converter transient (EMT) toolbox for used to simulate the transient
controllers with simulated power microgrids, ARTEMiS uses an stability of unbalanced feeders
electronics. Users can achieve advanced decoupling approach with several thousands of buses.
sub-μs control loops between that does not add artificial delays Import from PSS/E, CYME and
controller and simulator. to ensure model stability. PowerFactory.

Features to get more done. Faster.

Microgrid ARTEMIS
Rich Device and Built-in Scopes
Example Libraries
applications Primary and Secondary Control
View or record every signal
Quickly bring-in real-time being read, output or
per toolbox • Islanding / Reconnection
• DER controls
optimized devices or modeled by your real-time • Fault and protection behavior
demo models to save time simulator. • Interoperability
building your microgrid • Slow converter controls
model.

eHS ePHASORSIM
Primary Control Tertiary Control
• Fast converter controls • Energy Management Systems (EMS)
Smart Protocol Automate Testing • Power electronics • Energy dispatch
Emulation Enhance productivity by modulation • Cloud-based real-time data analytics and optimization
• Switch faults • Clustered microgrid management and control
Emulate communication creating custom scripts
protocols such as Modbus using Python to automate
and IEC 61850 for quick and testing and report
easy connections between regeneration. Bandwidth 1GHz 1MHz 1kHz 1Hz 0.016 Hz 2x10-4 Hz
simulator and equipment.
Time step 1ns 1 μs 1ms 1s 1 min 1 hr

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 Discover the Power of HYPERSIM

The power system simulator of tomorrow From modeling to real-time simulation in three
steps with the fastest FPGA-based power electronics
toolbox in the industry
Integrated directly with HYPERSIM. OPAL-RT’s FPGA-Based Power Electronics Toolbox (eHS) is a powerful simulation
tool for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing. eHS enables the running of test sequences and on-the-fly changes
to simulation parameters by using the Test Scenario feature. It allows the test engineer to jump from one set of
With its efficient signal processing and powerful component values to the next without stopping the simulation, and is the perfect system for all types of electrical
test automation capabilities, HYPERSIM helps conversion test applications.
engineers to model their microgrid simulation
project in one tool. Run accelerated simulations
for in depth EMT analysis on their personal
computer and going to real-time for large-scale
Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing.

1- Design 2- Configure I/Os 3- Perform tests

Develop your power electronics Then, configure your I/O channels Finally, execute the real-time
diagram with OPAL-RT’s schematic and compile your model for sub- simulation and perform manual
editor. microsecond time steps. and automated tests.

Made by power system professionals...

for power system professionals

Proven result Compatibility with Microgrid

accuracy for any PSCAD, EMTP, Simulink, HYPERSIM Nodal Solver
applications Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Control
type of simulation PSSE and more
per toolbox • Integrate several microgrid and distribution systems
Benefit from decades of Interface common simulation tools • Very large transmission grid including real-code supplied by
expertise and validation through model import or data wind and solar farm manufacturers
against field tests and other synchronization using OPAL-RT’s
simulation software. groundbreaking Unified Data Base.

eHS
Primary Control
Brute force Accurately represent • Fast converter controls
processing power Distributed Energy • Power electronics
of μGrid short line Resources modulation
• Switch faults
Run fast and accurate
Achieve optimal results with the
microgrid real-time simulation
capability to co-simulate pre-compiled
below 20 μs with up to 700
1-phase nodes with our latest real code supplied by plant Bandwidth 1GHz 1MHz 1kHz 1Hz 0.016 Hz 2x10-4 Hz
Intel Processors. manufacturers for Windows and Linux.
Time step 1ns 1 μs 1ms 1s 1 min 1 hr

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 Hardware Platforms

Simulator platforms tailored to your needs The new XG series: Unmatched performance

One Processor. Double the Performance. Infinite Possibilities.

OPAL-RT is taking its simulators to another level with the new XG series. The new
OPAL-RT’s operating system OPAL-RT Linux, combined with Intel’s latest technologies,
and our unique toolboxes allow engineers to benefit from unmatched performance to
develop, test, integrate and validate innovative microgrid components and solutions.

OP4510 | Compact desktop OP5707 | High-end performance

Where price meets performance. The OP4510 is a The OP5707 offers an unequalled level of high-end
Performance Scalability Powered by
compact but powerful simulator. More than ever, Intel® multi-core processor, FPGA performance and
Up to 2.5x faster than the previous With the number of cores on a Intel Processors
this real-time power grid simulator offers the best optical connectivity to meet top-level requirements.
performance at an affordable price. generation of simulators, the single simulator increased from 4 For over 20 years OPAL-RT’s
new XG series system is capable to 44, the XG series allow users to real-time simulators are based on
Performance Performance
of simulating larger and more model larger grids and/or reduce Intel® processors that bring
Scalability Scalability
complex microgrid models using time steps for better accuracy. world-changing technologies to
Microgrid Model Size Microgrid Model Size
fewer cores, drastically reducing the market.
Test Fidelity Test Fidelity
decoupling needs.

OP1420 | Microgrid PHIL Test Bench

Quickly emulate grids and DERs with a vertically
integrated turnkey solution.
Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) is being adopted by
power systems and power electronics laboratories across-
the-world to improve the quality of teaching and research.
However, since PHIL can be a complex, time-consuming
and complex initiative, OPAL-RT has created the OP1420,
a complete and vertically-integrated Power Hardware-in-
the-Loop Test Bench for all microgrid laboratories.

Performance VISIT OUR

Scalability WEBPAGE
Microgrid Model Size OPAL-RT.COM/OP1420
Test Fidelity

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 A global
microgrid community Success story

OPAL-RT Technologies is proud to have helped nearly The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s mission is to
1000 clients from 40 countries bring their projects to life. transform the energy sector through the research, development,
commercialization and deployment of renewable energy and energy
efficient technologies.
While today’s microgrid community is a relatively Most of the OPAL-RT microgrid’s solution also apply to
small one, its growth and impact across the globe grids with a high penetration of renewables, and can
is massive. OPAL-RT is committed to making a be considered for these applications in a similar way. NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) is Along with HIL and PHIL, NREL’s capability also
positive impact in the microgrid sector not just focused on bringing microgrid-enabling technologies includes the ability to test communication networks
through providing solutions but also through helping from the factory into the field and has contributed to in real time to assess cyber performance and
build community. We believe in actively promoting Want to collaborate on a challenging problem? making a number of microgrid projects realities. One vulnerabilities. NREL also offer a vendor-neutral
education via live and online events, so that can help Have a great webinar idea? of the ways they do this is by providing state-of-the- advanced distribution management system (ADMS)
spread innovation within the sector. Write to us at opal-rt.com/contact-us art Hardware-in-the-Loop and Power Hardware-the- test bed for evaluating existing and future ADMS
Loop facilities to manufacturers and integrators. This functionalities in a realistic laboratory setting. The
allows products, new technology and concepts to be test bed uses OPAL-RT’s ePHASORSIM and ARTEMIS
thoroughly tested in a safe laboratory environment products interfaced with an OpenDSS power system
prior to installation in the field. simulation through the HELICS cosimulation platform
developed by multiple DOE laboratories; and with
power and controller hardware.

Academia Manufacturers Research Utilities

Laboratories

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 ABOUT US
Founded in 1997, OPAL-RT TECHNOLOGIES is the leading The company’s core software, RT-LAB and HYPERSIM,
developer of open real-time digital simulators and enables users to rapidly develop models suitable for
Hardware-In-the-Loop testing equipment for electrical, real-time simulation, while minimizing initial investment
electro-mechanical and power electronic systems. and their cost of ownership. OPAL-RT also develops
mathematical solvers and models specialized for
OPAL-RT simulators are used by engineers and
accurate simulation of power electronic systems
researchers at leading manufacturers, utilities,
and electrical grids. RT-LAB, HYPERSIM and OPAL-RT
universities and research centres around the world.
solvers and models are integrated with advanced field
OPAL-RT’s unique technological approach integrates programmable gate array (FPGA) I/O and processing
parallel, distributed computing with commercial boards to create complete solutions for RCP and
off-the-shelf technologies. HIL testing.

OPAL-RT CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

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