Entergy Uses OPAL-RT's Solutions to Provide Engineering Support for a Safer and More Reliable Transmission System

The company

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Operating power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity (including nearly 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power), Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, generating approximately $10.8 billion in annual revenues with nearly 13,000 employees.

The challenges

• Complex Grid Infrastructure: Microgrids and smart grids introduced more complex control systems and grid infrastructures.
• Testing New IEDs & SVCs: Entergy needed to test new Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), new applications, and Static Var Compensators (SVCs) within project timelines and budgets.
• Simulation Platform Upgrade: More efficient and accurate real-time simulation capabilities were required for transmission network studies.

The OPAL-RT solution

• Hardware: A 32-core OP5031 simulator, three customized OP5640 platforms, up to 384 I/O channels, and six OP8320 voltage dividers.
• Software: HYPERSIM simulated transmission networks and SVC controls at a 40 μs time step on 9 cores, with IEEE C37.118 communications support.
• Commissioning & Training: OPAL-RT commissioned Siemens and Mitsubishi SVC controllers and delivered a customized 5-day training program.

The results

• 50% Faster Performance: The OP5031 delivered simulation results 50% faster than the previous SGI platform.
• Optimized Protection Settings: Testing identified required relay and IPO setting modifications.
• More Accurate Validation: The simulator revealed differences between the PSS/E model and actual SVC controls.
• Reduced Costs & Delays: Early issue detection helped prevent substantial costs and development delays.
• Maximized ROI: Existing HYPERSIM licenses were reused, reducing costs and training requirements.

Read the full story