Real-Time Simulation

Real-time simulators are fast computing platforms constructed using a very large number of parallel processors. They are able to simulate the power network in 'real time' - that is, they calculate the solution in synchronism with a real world clock. A real-time simulator is invaluable for testing the behaviour of actual control equipment intended for field use. When it is hooked up to physical control equipment, the control equipment virtually sees the same signals that it would in the field. Research into the development of improved algorithms for real-time simulation as well as on use of real-time simulators to solve complex power system problems is described here.