RT21 | Role of Real-Time Digital Simulation in Performing the Data Analytics for Utility Networks

The distribution system has undergone tremendous upgrades that have leaned toward a more carbon-free, reliable, and resilient infrastructure. This has been made possible by incorporating more sophisticated controllers in conventional generation, smart inverters based distributed generation, automatic load regulators, seamless interfacing of mini, micro and nano grids etc. To the contrary, the system is exposed to different events resulting from intermittent generation, as well as the unpredictable and uncertain behavior of loads in distribution networks. Real-time digital simulators from OPAL-RT let the power professionals study these events through digital twin models and by tweaking system parameters to create diverse and disruptive steady, dynamic, and transient event signatures--and also provides real datasets through the direct interface of sensors, PMUs, remote terminal units, smart measurement/meters, for testing and validating the AI-centric data analytics. Online testing of data analytical tools is made easy through real-time simulators by OPAL-RT as it has dedicated input and output digital/analog channels for export/import signals from/to power system models and supports standard communication protocols such as DNP3, C31.118-2011, etc. This presentation revolves around the wide usage of OPAL-RTs real-time digital simulations in prospective testing environments of data analytics through real and simulated distribution phasor measurement units. Actual case studies are emphasized in the presentation.