PowerFactory as a Software Stand-in for Hardware in Hardware-In-Loop Testing

Abstract

Rapid prototyping and validation of power system controllers have always been a challenge. With a rapid increase in distributed energy resources (DERs) and power-electronics-based power system devices, the systems that control today's electrical grid infrastructure are set to become more complex than ever, especially on the distribution front. Thus, rapid prototyping and validation of new complex control systems require testing with extensive set of test cases involving a multitude of power system components. The numerous types of variable involved, such as topology, energy flow, fault conditions, autonomous control systems, and protective device operation, most of which are stochastic in nature, naturally compound the problem of prototyping and validation. In such a scenario, using a hardware-in-loop (HIL) to test all possible test conditions is quite unreal-istic. This chapter is about introducing DIgSILENT's PowerFactory as a good software stand-in for Power Systems in HIL testing.