CAPABILITIES

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TS-C-901 062016

RTDS® Laboratory Testing Capabilities

Independent Testing for Device & Application Performance Evaluation

For more information, contact:

Carl Wilkins

Vice President, Distribution

Quanta Technology LLC

4020 Westchase Blvd., Suite 300

Raleigh, NC 27607

(919) 334-3092 office

(919) 279-5848

cwilkins@quanta-technology.com

RTDS is a real-time power system simulation platform for precise modeling and analysis of transi-

ent phenomena, utilizing simulation time close to the time frame of actual events. RTDS testing is

commonly used for hardware-in-loop (HIL) testing under real-world conditions, prototype develop-

ment and/or finalizing a new application design involving several digital control, protection and

measurement devices.

Service Offerings

◊ Test Plan & Model Develop-

ment

◊ End-to-end relay protection

scheme testing

◊ Protection testing in real time

to ensure dependability and

security

◊ Power system transient

studies and model verification

◊ Real-time testing of RAS/SPS

scheme

◊ Recloser control testing

◊ Performance validation of new

relays

◊ Testing of PMUs/PDCs

◊ Root cause analysis of

misoperations

◊ IEC 61850 simulations to test

GOOSE messaging and

sampled value implementations

◊ Testing of renewable energy

controls

◊ Testing of smart grid concepts

Real-Time Hardware-in-Loop Simulation

RTDS testing normally involves sequence of event analysis by developing realistic test scenarios

under which the application performance needs to be evaluated. In an RTDS test setup, simulated

power system quantities (e.g., voltages and currents at secondary levels) and status signals and

control commands (e.g., circuit breaker on/off positions and tap-changers status) are exchanged

with the control or protection devices in real time through several analog and digital interface

cards with high precision. Simultaneously, the processed signals and/or control commands (e.g.,

trip signals from protective relays and gating control signals for power electronic apparatus), rep-

resenting the reaction of devices under the test to the simulated phenomena, are fed back to the

real-time simulator. The feedback signals and control commands from the devices are used to

adjust the power system topology and change any applicable set points as typically performed by

system operators or dispatch centers.

Quanta Technology, LLC 4020 Westchase Blvd.; Suite 300

Raleigh, NC 27607 +1 (919) 334-3000

www.quanta-technology.com

Utilities can benefit significantly by utilizing the computing power that RTDS provides. Most utilities

do not own Real-Time Digital Simulators because these are expensive testing tools. In addition,

utilities find it hard to maintain a dedicated staff proficient in running analysis/testing using RTDS.

With this in mind, Quanta Technology has established an RTDS lab in partnership with North Caro-

lina State University in Raleigh, NC. The lab currently performs testing/analysis for several utilities.

The precise representation of complex power system transient phenomena (faults, frequency oscil-

lations, voltage collapse) and real-time interactions with the actual control and protective devices

(rather than modeling them) are the salient features of RTDS testing. Practically an unlimited num-

ber of test cases and study scenarios can be generated and used to evaluate device performance

and operation under system normal and contingency (N-1/N-2) conditions.

TS-C-901 062016

About Quanta Technology

Quanta Technology, LLC is an expertise-based independent technical consulting firm that helps electric utilities and other power in-

dustry entities by providing objective and practical solutions to their most complex transmission and distribution challenges. Our ser-

vices span the spectrum of the power system and include:

• Transmission and distribution infrastructure planning and analysis

• Sustainable energy impact evaluation and portfolio assessment

• Energy storage conceptual design, specifications and integration

• Equipment condition, design and maintenance standards assessment

• Best practices assessment and utilization

• RTO/ISO, regulatory, Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) and Regional Reliability

• System protection and automation

• “Smart Grid / Grid of the Future” development and deployment

• Enterprise systems integration

• Staff training

The company draws from a vast network of experienced power system experts from around the world, ensuring efficient objective and

credible outcomes. As an independent consulting arm of Quanta Services, we are able to deliver end-to-end solutions that span the

entire transmission and distribution (T&D) spectrum, from business consulting all the way through to engineering, procurement and

construction.

All Your Testing Needs With

No Constraints

• Large Scale Real-Time Simu-

lations

• Advanced Power Electronics

• Wide Area Protection & Con-

trol Testing with PMU

• Distribution Generation

• Protection & Control Testing

• Education & Training

• IEC 61850 Testing

• Smart Grid Implementation

Some questions that RTDS can answer for you:

Is the logic for the RAS/SPS system sound and sturdy enough?

How will the PMU perform within a network? Is there a need to do

close loop testing and verify appropriate performance of the

PDCs?

Will the PV controls work appropriately when integrated into an

existing system?

Can actual relay hardware be used to verify the dependability and

security of the relays in a critical transmission line?

After a thorough review of the system settings, there are still some