NR Electric Uses RT-LAB Real-Time Simulator to Test the Control and Protection System for the Zhoushan Multi-terminal MMC-HVDC Project
NR Electric
Energy
09 / 27 / 2016
The Company
NR Electric provided the complete control and protection system for the Zhoushan MMC-HVDC project, the world’s first five-terminal MMC-HVDC system. The project supports applications including island interconnection, island power supply, and wind power transmission.
The Challenges
- Complex Multi-Terminal Control Strategies: The five-terminal MMC-HVDC system required coordinated control and protection strategies across multiple stations and operating modes.
- Extensive System Validation: A total of 27 operating modes and numerous fault scenarios needed to be tested during factory acceptance testing (FAT).
- Limited Industry Experience: Multi-terminal MMC-HVDC was still an emerging technology, with little reference experience available for HIL model development and controller interfacing.
The OPAL-RT real-time simulation platform played a key role in the C&P system commissioning of the Zhoushan project. Especially because of the timely technical support of OPAL-RT in both China and Canada, the project deadline was met.
Mr. Gang Li
Engineer in Charge of the RT-LAB Real-Time Simulation Platform, NR Electric
The OPAL-RT Solution
- FPGA-Based MMC Simulation: MMC sub-module models were implemented on FPGA boards with a computation cycle of 500 ns.
- Hybrid Real-Time Simulation: The remaining power system was simulated on multi-core CPUs with a 30 μs time-step using the State-Space Nodal (SSN) interface to couple FPGA and CPU models.
- HIL Control System Testing: A Gigabit Ethernet communication protocol connected the actual valve balancing controller to the RT-LAB real-time simulator.
The Results
- Comprehensive C&P Verification: NR Electric completed a series of functionality and performance verifications for the control and protection system.
- Successful KEMA Witness Test: The RT-LAB HIL platform passed the KEMA witness test in September 2013.
- Factory Acceptance Testing Completed: The control, protection, and valve control systems successfully completed all FAT test cases between September and December 2013.
- Project Commissioning Support: The RT-LAB platform played a key role in commissioning the Zhoushan project, which entered operation in July 2014.
Explore more success stories
Dive deeper into our full collection of success stories in the resource center.
Start building your own success story
Validate high-voltage systems with confidence. Discover how OPAL-RT’s real-time HIL simulation solutions can help you automate, accelerate, and future-proof your testing process for power electronics and grid applications.
Automotive
06 / 04 / 2026
New Breakthrough in Full Topology HIL Simulation Testing for On-Board Chargers
SHINRY
SHINRY Technologies leverages OPAL-RT’s high-performance HIL simulation solution—integrating the OP4800-IO series expansion units and eHS—to overcome the complex challenges of full-topology modeling and high-frequency testing for On-Board Chargers (OBC). This solution achieves nanosecond-level real-time simulation and supports switching frequencies of several hundreds kHz, significantly accelerating control algorithm verification and identifying hardware-software integration risks early in the development cycle.
Energy
01 / 21 / 2026
OPAL-RT HIL simulation for variable frequency drive R&D
Harvest
Harvest leverages OPAL-RT’s HIL simulation solution (integrating OP5707XG hardware, eHS and ARTEMiS software) to address complex MV VFD modeling and testing challenges. This solution accelerates control algorithm validation, enables safe and flexible multi-motor testing, and speeds up product development, empowering Harvest to deliver reliable, high-performance MV VFDs for global industrial applications.
Energy
03 / 17 / 2025
State-of-the-art prototype testing of PAC devices for the power industry
Protecta Electronics
Protecta Electronics leverages OPAL-RT’s real-time simulation technology to test and validate protection, automation, and control (PAC) devices for the power industry. By automating complex test scenarios, Protecta has streamlined R&D, ensured compliance with global standards, and improved coordination between protection relays—advancing grid safety and reliability.