Time Domain Simulation.
RMS
In this tutorial a RMS time domain simulation will be executed in an existing network. A short-circuit event will
be applied and a RMS simulation will be executed. Finally, the results of the simulation will be presented using
plots.
1 Import Project
Click on the icon , to import and activate the project for this exercise. Alternatively you can use the solution
of the tutorial Definition of Dynamic Models.
2 RMS Simulation
2.1 Calculation of Initial Conditions
In this section, we will calculate the initial conditions for the simulation. The calculation of initial conditions
initialises the dynamic models. Follow these steps to execute the command:
• Click on the Calculate Initial Conditions icon ( ) in the Simulation RMS/EMT to open the command.
• Select the following options on the Basic Options page:
– RMS Values
– Balanced, positive sequence
– Verify initial conditions
• On the Step size page we will leave the Integration step size as 0.01 seconds, which is the typical step
size for the study of electromechanical transients.
• Click on Execute to calculate the initial conditions.
• Verify in the output window that the initial conditions were calculated without errors or warnings.
More information about all the options of the command is available in section Calculation of Initial Conditions
command of the User Manual.
2.2 Definition of Monitored Variables
In PowerFactory the results of the dynamic simulation are stored in a Results File object. This object is
automatically created inside the Study Case when the initial conditions are executed and it is called “All
calculations”, however, the variables to be recorded in this file should be defined for each element.
TIME DOMAIN SIMULATION. RMS
We will define the monitored variables for all the generators and two busbars. To define a variable:
• Right-click on the element to be monitored and select Define → Results for Simulation RMS/EMT. . . from
the context-sensitive menu.
• All variable sets of selected elements are now shown. Double-click the element you just selected.
• This brings up a variable selection window (shown in figure 2.1), where you can create, select or edit a
set of variables. This window shows the available variables in the left pane, and the selected variables in
the right pane.
• The Simulation RMS page (highlighted in red), is selected by default when the variables are defined after
a calculation of initial conditions with the RMS Values option.
• A number of variables is selected by default depending on the element. Double click on the variables or
use the buttons or to move the variables between the available and selected panes.
• The Variable Set filter (highlighted in blue), can be used to switch between results, signals, and calcula-
tion, element, type, and reference parameters. More information about this filter is available in the User
Manual, section Variable Selection Filter.
Figure 2.1: Variable Selection
Select the following variables to be recorded:
• Generators
– Voltage, Magnitude [p.u.]. m:u:bus1
– Excitation Voltage [p.u.]. s:ve
– Turbine Power [p.u.]. s:pt
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– Excitation Current [p.u.]. s:ie
– Positive-Sequence, Active Power [MW]. s:P1
– Positive-Sequence, Reactive Power [Mvar]. s:Q1
– Speed [p.u.]. s:xspeed
– Rotor angle referred to the reference machine rotor angle [deg]. c:firel
• Busbars “B2” and “B3”
– Voltage, Magnitude [p.u.]. m:u
The monitored variables can be accessed later if required via the Edit Result Variables button ( ).
2.3 Definition of Events
In this section, we will execute a three phase short-circuit on the line “Line_3-4” and then disconnect the line
after a period of time. To simulate the short-circuit and the opening of the switches of the line, we need to
define events that will be executed during the simulation.
The defined events are stored inside the study case and are also accesible via the Edit Simulation Events
button ( ). Follow these steps to define the events:
• Short-Circuit Event:
– Right-click on the line “Line_3-4” and select Define → Short-Circuit Event. . . from the context-
sensitive menu.
– The short-circuit event dialog (shown in figure 2.2) will be displayed.
Figure 2.2: Short-circuit Event
– We will leave the Execution Time at 0 seconds.
– Set the fault location to 20 %.
– Select 3-Phase Short-Circuit as fault type.
• Switch Event:
– Right-click on the line “Line_3-4” and select Define → Switch Event. . . from the context-sensitive
menu.
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– The Execution Time of this event will define the duration of the short-circuit. Set the Execution Time
to 0.2 s.
– Select Open as action and verify that the All phases check box in checked.
2.4 Executing the simulation
Once everything has been prepared, all we need to do is to define how long we want to simulate and execute
the simulation:
• Click on the Calculate Initial Conditions icon.
• Click on Execute to calculate the initial conditions.
• Click on the Start Simulation icon ( ) to open the Run Simulation command.
• Set the Stop time to 10 seconds.
• Click on Execute.
• Verify in the output window that the short-circuit was executed and the switches were opened.
3 Results Visualisation
The results of a time domain simulation are usually presented using plots. There are several types of plots in
PowerFactory, and information about the plot types is available in the User Manual, section Plots.
In this section we will use Curve plots to represent the results.
• Click on the icon Create simulation plot ( ) from the Simulation RMS/EMT toolbar to open the Insert
plot dialog.
• Select the Curve plot as shown in the following figure:
Figure 3.1: Insert Plot dialog
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• Click OK.
• The Plot dialog, shown in figure 3.2, will be displayed.
Figure 3.2: Curve plot dialog
The results file mentioned in section 2.2 is automatically assigned, the elements and variables to plot should
be in this file.
• Double click on the first row of the Element column and multi-select the three generators.
• Select the speed as Variable for each generator and click OK.
• Click on the automatic scale buttons ( and ) to scale the plot in both axis.
• The plot should look like this:
Figure 3.3: Generators speed
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• You can double click on the axis, legend or curve area to edit the style of the plot.
• Repeat the procedure to insert plot for the variables defined in section 2.2.
3.1 User Defined Signals
In this section we will create a signal with the total active power of the generators.
• Insert a new plot using the Create simulation plot button ( ).
• Select Curve plot, uncheck the option Insert on active page and click OK.
• Click on the button Create. . . under the Processed and Aggregated Results field.
• Select as operands the generators G1, G2 and G3 active power as shown in figure 3.4
• Assign as name “P Generated”, “Total active power” as description and “MW” as unit.
• For the Formula write in1+in2+in3.
• Click on Verify and if there are no errors click on OK.
Figure 3.4: Calculated result of the total Active Power of the Generators
• Delete the empty row from the plot and click OK.
• Click on the automatic scale buttons ( and ) to scale the plot in both axis.
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• The plot should look like this:
Figure 3.5: Plot of the total Active Power of the Generators
3.2 Compare Results
In this section, we will compare the results of two different simulations in one plot.
As mentioned in section 2.2, the results of the dynamic simulation are stored in a results file that is automatically
created inside the study case.
One could simply copy the results file, change the name, assign it in the Calculation of Initial Conditions
command and run the simulation. However, this procedure can lead to confusion if you are not careful. Also
the results might not be easily reproducible by someone else.
The best option to compare results of two different simulations, is to use two different study cases. These are
the steps to prepare a plot with two different simulations:
• Copy and paste the existing study case (you can do this on the Project Overview window or in the Data
Manager).
• Rename the new study case to “Case 2” and activate it (Right click → Activate).
• Click on the Edit Simulation Events button ( ) to open the list of events.
• Double click on the switch event and change the opening time to 0.3 seconds. Click OK.
• Execute the simulation using the Start Simulation button.
By copying the study case, we copied the results file, the events and all the commands, including the Calcula-
tion of Initial Conditions command, therefore it was not necessary to define the variables to monitor again nor
define the events.
Now we will insert a plot and show the results of the two simulations:
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TIME DOMAIN SIMULATION. RMS
• Insert a new plot using the Create simulation plot button ( ).
• Select Curve plot, uncheck the option Insert on active page and click OK.
• Select the generator “G3” as Element and the speed as Variable.
• Check the option Select results individually per curve
• Add a row (Right click → Append Row) and select on the Result File column of this second row, the “All
calculations” results file located in the original Study Case.
• Select the generator “G3” as Element and the speed as Variable and click OK.
• The Data Series dialog should look like this:
Figure 3.6: Curve plot data series dialog
• Use the buttons ( and ) to scale the plot in both axis.
• The resulting plot is shown in figure 3.7
Figure 3.7: Comparison of Results
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You can personalise the variable description on the edit dialog of the plot as shown in the following figure.
Figure 3.8: Variable Description
4 Summary
This concludes the exercise. Now it should be clear how to carry out the following tasks:
• Section RMS Simulation:
□ Calculate the initial conditions of the system.
□ Define the variables to be stored during the simulation.
□ Define a simulation event.
□ Execute a simulation.
• Section Results Visualisation:
□ Insert curve plots and specify elements and variables.
□ Create an user defined signal.
□ Compare results of two different simulations in one plot.
5 Additional PowerFactory Documentation
There is additional information available, depending on what you are looking for; the following documents
can be accessed either directly from PowerFactory or from the DIgSILENT download area ([Link]
[Link]/en/[Link]).
• Tutorials: step by step description of several tasks in PowerFactory. Help → Tutorial. . .
• Examples: the window PowerFactory Examples provides a list of application examples of PowerFac-
tory calculation functions. Every example comes with an explanatory document. Additionally, videos
demostrate the software handling and its functionalities. File → Examples. . .
• User Manual: all the functions, objects and settings of PowerFactory are described in the User Manual.
Pressing the key F1 while working with PowerFactory will lead directly to the related topic inside the User
Manual. Help → User Manual
• Technical References: description of the models implemented in PowerFactory for the different power
systems components. Help → Technical References
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TIME DOMAIN SIMULATION. RMS
• What’s New: document and video provided with every annual release. Help → What’s New
• Release Notes: for all new versions and updates of the program Release Notes are provided, which
document the implemented changes. Help → Release Notes
• Knowledge base: a database of information, based on an FAQ format, available for any users (whether
registered or not) in [Link]
• Scripting References: description and examples of DPL and Python commands. Help → Scripting
References
• Additional Packages: documents with additional description and /or examples of the PowerFactory
Interfaces. Help → Additional Packages
Apart from the mentioned documentation, DIgSILENT provides Direct Technical Support, where PowerFac-
tory experts offer direct assistance to registered users with valid guarantee/maintenance. The Support Centre
is located on the website [Link]