Real-time electromagnetic electromechanical hybrid transient simulation for large power systems

Hybrid simulation is a significant step towards the realization of a powerful digital power system simulator, capable of efficient simulation of large size networks, while providing accurate representation of highly nonlinear components, such as FACTS devices and HVDC links. In this research a functional hybrid simulator based on a novel interface between an Electromagnetic Transients (EMT) simulator and a comprehensive Transient Stability (TS) simulator was developed. The underlying idea of the hybrid simulation is to partition a network into two parts, one for the TS simulator and the other for the EMT simulator.; Towards the realization of this hybrid simulator, method on studying asymmetrical disturbances in the simulator was proposed, choice of interaction location based on new concern was discussed, and a novel approach for the communication protocol was developed such that for the first time true real-time EMT/TS hybrid simulation was realized. This new hybrid simulator is capable of simulating mal-functions of FACTS devices in a transient stability study, without compromising the integrity of the transient stability simulator.; Real-time operation was realized on a Silicon Graphics (SGI) multi-processor server simultaneously running a real-time EMT program called HYPERSIM (developed by the Hydro Quebec Research Institute) and a comprehensive transient stability program developed by the author.; The simulator, coupled with real-time data acquisition, will have the ability to capture system behaviour at any instant of time, and will allow operators to study an increasingly comprehensive contingency list (including mal-operation of power electronic systems) and "what if" scenarios for different system conditions and configurations, with the obvious benefit of increasing system security.