Expert Services and Consulting

EXPERT

SERVICES

Expert Services and Consulting

OPAL-RT offers expert assistance for the performance of complex studies requiring advanced knowledge of modeling, simulation and specialized testing across a wide range of power electronics and power system applications. OPAL-RT modeling and study services are generally performed at the company’s headquarters, while testing is carried out at the client’s facility or another site using OPAL-RT’s high-end portable simulators. Equipped with decades of collaborative experience with utilities, research labs, manufacturers and power electronics and power system experts, the OPAL-RT consulting team is always ready to participate in collaborative R&D, as well as in practical engineering activities, and help bridge the knowledge gap between industry experts. Through model-based design and testing approaches, OPAL-RT experts help increase the Technology Readiness Level of new concepts and significantly reduce time-to-market.

Customized to Client Needs

OPAL-RT implements flexible solutions, while always delivering on-time and on-budget. The company’s experts are uniquely equipped to handle projects from start-to-finish, or to assist a client’s existing project teams. OPAL-RT provides the widest range of services to enable optimal test coverage, user-defined modeling, pre-certification testing of Intelligent Electronic Device (IED), post-event analysis, and optimization of controls and protection. OPAL-RT also offers application-specific training in advanced use of the company’s powerful simulation tools and related technologies. Equipped with state-of-the-art portable hardware and software solutions, OPAL-RT always adheres to the industry’s highest standards, while courteously interacting with the client answer complex questions and ensuring precise testing and results.

Extensive Know-how

Since 1997, the established and growing OPAL-RT team of experts has comprised a diverse and multi-faceted collaboration of deeply experienced and committed workers, thinkers and instructors. The team’s expertise covers power system analysis, including hydroelectric, thermal, wind, and solar power generation; power transmission and distribution; power electronics drives; as well as micro-grids, HVDC and FACTS. OPAL-RT draws on extensive knowledge earned through collaborations with institutions including Hydro-Quebec – specifically, HQ-TransEnergie, HQ-Production and the Institut de recherche d’Hydro-Quebec (IREQ) – applied research labs and some of the world’s largest manufacturing companies. OPAL-RT’s expertise has been kept immediate and innovative through direct involvement in complex and far-reaching projects with the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), ABB, RTE-France, GE Energy, and many more. OPAL-RT also works in close collaboration with a wide variety of universities, industrial research centers, labs and engineering firms throughout the world.

Expert Services

OPAL-RT provides expert services such as:

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) tests

  • IEDs (Protective relays, PMUs, Merging Units, Automation platforms, etc.)
  • Special control and protection system tests
  • FACTS and HVDC control and protection system tests
  • Factory acceptance tests or on-site performance testing

Post-event and solutions analysis

  • Electromagnetic transients simulation and recorded data analysis
  • Interconnection studies
  • Dynamic voltage and frequency stability using detailed equipment models
  • Complex control and protection system setting sensitivity studies

Special validation tests

  • On-site generator testing with performance validation (Including turbine/governor, excitation system and PSS)
  • Power system stability improvement through adequate control settings (AVR, PSS and speed governors)
  • Dynamic model identification and validation

Advanced modelling and value-added testing and simulation features

  • Develop equipment models according to project and manufacturer specifications
  • Deploy optimized mathematical models suitable to meet the required calculation times in real-time simulation
  • Offer validated models tested against site data
  • Develop equipment test rigs required by certification standards

Domains of Expertise

OPAL-RT experts are ready to bring unique experience to challenging projects in a wide variety of areas. The company’s domains of expertise include, but are not limited to, the following specializations:
  • More Electric Aircraft
  • Power Electronic & Control
  • Smart-Grids, Protection, Control and Monitoring
  • Collaborative R&D
  • Hydroelectric, thermal and renewable energy based power generation
  • Transmission & distribution
  • Distributed generation and Micro-grids

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