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ffi It's high time for real-time I
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simulation tn the quest for

smarter grids. The Universitg
of Manchester reveals how
its RTDS SMARTLab is at the
cutting edge of research into
smart grid architecture.

/
 THE FUTURE

The University of Manchester is already conceptualising, developing and integrating,

Facitities home to the largest high-voltage laboratory prototyping and testing a range of power
in a UI( university. It'has been at the systems transmission and distribution
. ParaL[eI processing moduLar design cutting edge of research into electrical networks in a real-time closed-loop
system. power systems for 5o years. Now, as the environment. These include :

industry becomes increasingly complex and o Conventional protection and controls

. Giga transceiver workstation interface
IGTWI F) for interconnecting paraLl.eL
processing hardware to an externaL
computer workstation interface via
Ethernet LAN.
o Giga transceiver network communication
interface IGTNET) for protocot emutations
of process and control bus automation
using standards such as IEC 61850,
DNP3, IEEE C37.118,1.
. ExternaI time synchronisation interface
IGTSYNC] for externaI GPS timestep
synchronisation appLication, a high-
precision, f lexib[e and expandab[e
anatogue and digitaL l/0 GT-interface
capabiLity.
. GTAI/GTAO/GTDI/GTD0 capabil.ity with
1 2-channeI isotated 1 5-bit analogue and
64-channeI isoLated digitat input/output
interface.
o GlobaLbus hub IGBH] for muLtipte
simutation rack interface capabitity under
common synchronisation timestep for
simulations.
intelligent control devices are introduced at
every level of the system, another facility at
the university is helping shape the future.
The real-time digital simulator (RTDS) at
the power and energy division in the school
of electrical and electronics engineering
is one of the leading multi-core-processor-
based digital simulation and power systems
automation test facilities.
The lab combines the best of
Manchester's existing and new capabilities
to meet increasing global energy demand
while minimising the environmental impact
and limiting the cost of future power and
energy systems.
The lab also researches enhanced
multifunctional integration of physical power
networks with advanced communication
protocols and complex control.
It has a "PB5-architecture"-type real-
time digital processing platform for. power
systems simulation. It also has a track record
in protection and controls automation.
The RTDS is a technology platform for
schemes for power systems.
Wide-area monitoring for protection and
controls, real-time high{evel smart grid
simulation environments for distributed
generation and renewable energy
storage hybrid systems.
Special implementations of digital
substation automation using the
communication protocols of IEC 5r85o-B-
r/9-z process bus architectures.
Conventional DNP:/IEC 6o87o-5-
1o4 SCADA interface systems and
IEEE C37.rt9.t PMU synchrophasor
performance testing.
GPS synchronisation infiastructure
using IPPS, IRIG-B and IEEE 1588
compliance, with full digital simulation
design and implementation.
o Alongside physical testing, work at the
RTDS SMARThUb includes providing
training.
The RTDS lab will be a key enabler for
expanding and diversifying multifunctional
and multivariable research schemes at

o lnter-rack communication switch {lRC)

for direct digitaI data communication
between muLtipte simulation racks.

o Afibre-enhanced backplane feature

for reaching microsecond timestep
simulations up to 1.4-2.5ps and a total
of up to 90 nodes per PB5 processor
computing power each operationaI at
1.7GHz for enhanced power network
sotution modetting capacity.

. The faciLity has six RTDS simulator racks

with integrated capacity of 30 PB5 core
processors and f ive modu[ar mutti-tevel
converter IMMC] support units combined
with Manchester's 0micron relay test
benches, merging unit performance test
benches and multiple data acquisition
systems. A f texible and integrated
closed-toop hardware-in-the-toop IH Ll I

simutation and controls automation

facitity for dynamic performance testing
and prototyping of power and energy
transmission and distribution systems
under wide-area protection and controI
architectures.

NETWORK /30/wnnCr ZOrZ


the University of Manchester, such as the
integration of renewable energy sources, the
optimisation of supply and demand patterns,
and the co-integration of energy-storage
deviceswith socio-economic adaptability.
The lab is already hard at work on a
range of projects including multifunctional
protection and control, multivendor
interoperability and performance testing,
wide-area monitoring, and smart grids in
distributed generation.
The University of Manchester envisions
the RTDS lab serving as a hub that offers a
multifunctional, innovative fl exible platform
for power systems and control automation
research. It is actively seeking extemal
collaborations, and is already working with
National Grid, Scottish Power, Siemens and
ABB. Such collaborations will help support
and engage the development of innovative
research concepts.
Current research interests
Testing at the faciLity is currentty focused on:
o Wide area monitoring, protection and
controL assessment.
Power and energy network topotogies of
smart grids with innovative concepts.
IEC 61850-8-1/-9-2 process bus
architectures for digitaI substation
automation of protection and controI
devices.
DNP3/IEC 5OB7O-5-1 04 SCADA
communication interface for power
distribution network modeL[ing and
monitoring.
IEEE C37.118.1/ RTDS/GTNET PMU
synchrophasor data streaming and PMU-
WAM controI and protection with phasor
data concentrators.
HVDC for industry-standard mutti-
terminaI HVDCiM MC controls system.
THE FI JRE
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Project hightights
MIGRATE (Massive Integration of
Power Electronic Devices) is a €r8.4
million Horizon zozo project to flnd solu-
tions to the challenges posed by the increas-
ing penetration of power electronic devices
into power systems. The Europe-wide effort
includes 23 partners such as system opera-
tors, manufacturers and researchers.
The proiect: The Manchester RTDS will be
used to test wide-area monitoring system
(WAMS) applications for inertia and short
circuit-level monitoring. This will support the
development of advanced system integrity
protection schemes that will combat wide-
area blackouts, and generate data about the
consequences of the increasing penetration
of power electronics on power quality,
system stability and system protection.
Scope of research: Hardware-in-the{oop
(HIL) testing is the best way to study the
performance of prototype methods for
combating high-impact, low-probability
events. The high-fldelity electromagnetic
transient models available allow detailed
study of the possible interactions and
consequences for a
system with high
penetration of
power electronic devices.
Furthermore, the MMC support unit
at Manchester allows these studies to
include VSC HVDC, which with increasing
interconnection of neighbouring systems
and the potential for multi-terminal HVDC
networks, will be one of the most signif,cant
network technologies of the future.
DACfoTDTI/FIP (Distribution Auto-
mation Control for Dynamic
Topology Identification and Fault
Isolation Process) is Manchester's
recent open innovation collaborative
research proiect and part of the EPSRC high-performance communication link
Centre for Doctoral Training in Power
Networks. It combines the expertise of
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university research with a multidisciplinary
training environment, enabling researchers
to develop knowledge in leading power
network research and then to use the
transferable skills in industrial applications
for future energy provision.
The proiect: The Manchester RTDS
PHIL testing platform integration with
IED DACs device architecture enables
closed-loop testing of a microgrid, fault
location and isolation based on a "point-
to-point" communication network bus.
The automation can also be designed for
automatic topology recognition and self-
healing microgrid architecture. In this
project, RTDS PHII simulates the analogue
signals used as inputs for driving control
signals for IED DACs, and physical latching
relays are connected to illustrate and
monitor the control assignment results.
Scope of research: The Manchester
RTDS PHIL has an integrated interface
capability with multiple IED DACs to control
latching relay systems along with DAC
SCADA monitor and control automation.
Speciflcally, it can support the low-carbon
transformation of power networks and
drive future innovations of distributed
generation and smart energy transmission
and distribution networks.
VISOR (Visualisation of Real Time
System Dynamics using Enhanced
Monitoring) is a 87.6 million flagship
Network Innovation Competition project led
by SP Energy Networks to demonstrate the
flrst WAMS that will encompass the entire
GB power system.
The prolect is underpinned by a data
acquisition infrastructure consisting of new
monitoring units, data centres and dedicated
servers, all communicating through a new
between the three transmission operators in
Scotland and England. The trial is intended

to give the system operator the ability and
confidence to use the full capacity of the
network when more wind generation leads
to more volatile system flows, resulting in
greater operating margins to maintain and
manage network security. A conservative
estimate of annual operational savings is
€4 million.
The WAM system will also give
transmission operators a risk-mitigating
measure in a
period of uncertainty to
help safeguard the network against low-
probability high-impact events that may
result in partial or widespread system failure.
The proiect: This groundbreaking WAMS
is the result of collaboration between
system designers, operators, developers
and researchers, and will demonstrate
applications that exploit real-time
synchronised measurements to enhance
our understanding of system dlmamics and
sub-synchronous oscillations. A WAMS
can therefore reduce operational costs and
capital expenditure. VISOR is using the
Manchester RTDS to study the performance
of phasor measurement units - which are
the predominant sensors in a WAMS - when
they are exposed to complex power system
behaviour.
Future scope: As well as this research, the
Manchester RTDS is seen as an excellent
resource for showcasing WAMS applications
to a variety of stakeholders through
interactive dissemination events.
EFCC (Enhanced Frequency Control
Capability), now called the SMART
Frequency Control proiect, is designed to
save customers €zoo million a year while
maintaining system inertia. TheL9.4 million
flagship Network Innovation Competition
proiect led by National Grid is creating a
novel wide area control scheme (WACS) that
can deliver the fast, accurate frequency-
control actions that will be essential
as we move toward a low-carbon but so technical support, and the products
low-inertia future.
It aims to investigate how newer
technologies - such as windfarms, solar
PV and demand-side response - can play a
larger part in maintaining system frequency.
The proiect: This first-of-a-kind WACS will
combine responses from a range of new
technologies - such as wind turbines, solar
PV and demand response - to help avoid a
€z5o million increase in spending on ancillary
services for frequency control by zozo. It
is the product of
collaboration between
system operators, vendors, manufacturers
and researchers. The Manchester RTDS is
being used to subject the hardware and
software developed for the WACS to extensive
hardware-in-the-loop testing for small test
THE FUTURE
systems and a representative model of the GB
transmission system.
Future scope: Beyond testing, the RTDS
will be used to investigate the complex
interactions between the different
technologies controlled by the scheme to
create an optimised controller that exploits
the unique advantages of each technology.
VSATT (Virtual Site Acceptance
Testing Training) is an E4o5,ooo Ofgem
Network Innovation Allowance-funded
project to develop a multi-vendor testing
platform that will demonstrate the design
of reliable, low-maintenance and IEC 6185o-
based digital substation secondary system
interfaces to primary plants.
As a result of outage requirements and
system access constraints, the current
replacement rate for protection and control
systems is about 5Yo a year. It would
therefore take about 20 years to complete a
whole rycle of replacements. However, the
typical asset life for these systems is ro-r5
years, dependent on the system, because
of the fast pace of technological
change.
This makes some of the systems obsolete,
themselves, can be in short supply.
Driven by these challenges, National
Grid has started initiatives to set up a new
architecture of substation secondary systems
(ASE). This proiect uses the IEC 61850
standard for future digital substation
implementation, which is low-cost and
quick to implement (compared with building
a new traditional substation). There is a lot
of interest in developing this technology
to reduce outage requirements for system
commissioning and decommissioning. The
main objective of the AS3 proiect was to
provide a solution to the life cycle issues of
substation protection and control assets.
The proiect: The project is led by National
Grid, which collaborates with the university
NETWORK /33/ VAnCU ZOrZ
and industrial partners including ABB, GE
(Alstom Grid), NR Electric and Siemens. The
university will implement the platform and
invite manufacturers to demonstrate their
protection equipment or software tools.
Scope of research: The Manchester RTDS
is used to generate substation primary
signals for merging units and to create
fault events for protection relays. The RTDS
receives protection and control signals
from the relays for closed-loop testing.
The VSATT platform helps utilities assess
vendor interoperability on a station bus
using IEC 6185o-8-r GOOSE and MMS control
data exchange between bays supplied by
different suppliers. Also, utilities can use
the platform to carry out virtual site testing
for partner vendors, reducing the overall
technical and commercial risks associated
with real site testing. ru
Future Research
The RTDS faciLities are used in various
ongoing research initiatives such as:
. Devetopment of IEC 61850, C37.'1 1B
and IEC 60870 digitat substation
communication protoco[s.
. DeveLopment of new concepts for WAM
protection/contro L.
. lnnovation of new prototypes foTSMART
tra nsmissio n/d istributio n.
Vatidation of smart grids for Low-carbon
energy storage, distributed generation
concepts for smart grids, integrated
systems with renewabl.e energy storage,
and asset management strategies-
Va[idation of mu[ti-terminat HVDC/
UHVDC controL strategies for
transmission/distribution systems.
HVDC wide area control schemes for
enhanced power stabiLity and sub-
synchronous resonance reduction of
muttipLe-HVDC Links.
HVDC active power ftow moduLation
optimisation for next generation AC
transmission networks.
VSC- HVD C/FACTS integ rated controL
schemes for STATCOM,UPFC and TCSC
compensation controI schemes.
Mu[ti-terminaI VSC-HVDC systems
controL strategies for offshore windfarm
integration.