Power Plant Controller Testing



Validate power plant controllers (PPCs) with hardware-in-the-loop testing

Increasing penetration levels of solar PV, wind, and other distributed energy resources has resulted in the introduction of new and improved grid codes which require these technologies to provide grid support. As a result, a coordinated approach for controls at the power plant level is needed. High-level PPCs coordinate the lower-level controls (i.e. individual inverter controls) to provide the necessary functionality at the plant level.

PPCs typically control the plant’s active/reactive power output, power factor, voltage, and frequency. They may coordinate many inverters and sites, along with other static compensation equipment. PPCs are critical infrastructure on the modern grid, and validating their operation via hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing ensures that they will operate securely – and in line with the expectations of manufacturers and grid operators – when installed.

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An example of what PPC testing might look like with the RTDS Simulator

Benefits of hardware-in-the-loop testing for PPCs

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Validate offline PPC models
Vendors are often required to supply a detailed EMT model of their PPC to utilities. The RTDS Simulator has been used to validate these models against the performance of the actual hardware controller via HIL testing, providing increased confidence to the manufacturer and end user.
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De-risk via interoperability testing
HIL testing allows for multiple devices to be tested simultaneously, providing unique insights on device interactions at the systems level that are often not revealed by conventional testing. The ability of PPCs to securely operate alongside existing protection and control can be verified using real hardware.
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Support factory/site acceptance testing
Including HIL testing in the factory and site acceptance testing process can improve project schedules. Troubleshooting in the lab allows for accurate replication of commissioning events and representation of a much wider range of contingencies than can safely be imposed on the real grid.
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Test the impact of communication protocols
The impact of communication protocols – namely, any associated communication delays – are incorporated into the HIL test so the engineer can understand their impacts on system operation. This is an advantage of HIL over offline PPC simulation.

Watch our free webinar on PPC validation at Nor-Cal Controls ES, Inc.


HIL Validation of Power Plant Controller (PPC) Model

Learn how the RTDS Simulator was used for validating a PSCAD™ model of a commercial PPC. The EMT model's performance was compared to the real PLC-based hardware controller's performance in a hardware-in-the-loop testbed.

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PPC testing is supported by our simulation software

  • PPC Sample Cases
    RSCAD FX includes sample cases which walk users through modelling and testing PPCs. The sample case includes scaled-down PV systems including inverters, a high-voltage circuit including transformer and source representing the grid, and a simulated PPC using controls components. A second case includes a sample input/output interface to an external PPC via MODBUS protocol.
  • DER Models
    Solar PV array
    Wind turbine
    PEM fuel cell
    Lithium Ion energy storage
    Reactive power compensation
    Dynamic loads
    Wound rotor / doubly fed induction machine
    Squirrel cage induction machine
    Permanent magnet synchronous machine
    And more
  • Converter Models
    • The Universal Converter Model represents 2- level, 3-level T-type, 3-level NPC, boost, buck, flying capacitor, and DAB topologies.
    • The UCM’s Improved Firing input can be used for switching at up to ~10 kHz in the Mainstep environment and up to ~150 kHz in the Substep environment.
    • Average Value Models, using the UCM’s Modulation Waveform input, are also available.
    • Custom topology converters can also be represented.
  • Control Components
    Freely configurable controls components allow the modeling of:

    P&Q droop control
    DQ-current control
    Maximum power point tracking
    Pitch angle control
    Breaker control / sync check
    Startup/shutdown
    Governor/exciter models.

    Control systems developed in MATLAB/SIMULINK can be directly imported.
  • Communication
    The GTNETx2 network interface card is used to interface external devices to the RTDS Simulator via standard-compliant communication protocols, including:

    High-speed TCP/UDP
    MODBUS
    DNP3 and IEC 60870-5-104
    IEC 61850-9-2LE and IEC 61869-9 Sampled Values
    IEC 61850 GOOSE Messaging
    Synchrophasor data

Related Information

An example of what PPC testing might look like with the RTDS Simulator

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Microgrids & Renewable Energy

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Webinar: HIL Validation of Power Plant Controller (PPC) Model

Technology Overview