Wide area monitoring
Following the 2003 Northeast blackout, synchrophasor technology with phasor measurement units (PMUs) became a key focus for Wide Area Monitoring, Protection, and Control (WAMPAC) in the power industry. While currently used for real-time monitoring and post-event analysis, its full potential for enhancing reliability and security through Wide Area Protection and Control (WAPC) is often limited by the high costs of PMUs and communication networks. Our real-time simulation provides an affordable alternative, enabling advanced WAMPAC R&D and testing without the risk and expense of physical setups, empowering further advancements in the field.
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Solution
Cutting-edge real-time simulation suite
We offer a state-of-the-art suite of real-time power system simulation solutions for synchrophasor and WAMPAC applications. PMUs can be integrated into hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations or emulated virtually within the simulation environment. The schematic below offers a complete and typical laboratory for WAMPAC research, including Virtual PMU libraries available through our software.
Webinar
Testing and validation of power systems operations and controls with HIL
In this 3-part webinar, learn about the challenges and solutions when validating power systems operations and controls with hardware-in-the-loop methodologies—all in order to increase the reliability and efficiency of electrical grids.
Services
Streamline your PMU pre-certification process
Real-time simulation plays a vital role in design and control strategy for WAMPAC and PMU, and can also aid with PMU pre-certification, ensuring compliance with the IEEE ™ C37.118.1 standard.
Success story
Enabling WAMPAC innovation at KTH with Dr. Luigi Vanfretti
Discover how our solutions enabled Dr. Luigi Vanfretti to conduct WAMPAC research in his HIL laboratory at KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
The real-time digital power grid simulator is extremely powerful, very versatile, and open for customization and integration with third-party software and hardware. This helps in wide-ranging research activities, to unleash innovation, permit maximum reuse, and accelerate development.
Dr. Luigi Vanfretti
Assistant Professor at The Royal Institute of Technology, KTH
Products
The essentials for WAMPAC testing
Discover the tools that professionals depend on for accurate and precise testing. Ensure optimal performance with our products.
RMS Simulation and HIL Testing
ePHASORSIM
Simulate large-scale transmission and distribution networks in real time, test WAMPAC schemes, and train operators, using models from various sources such as PSSE, PowerFactory, or CYME.
EMT Simulation and HIL Testing
HYPERSIM
High-fidelity platform for EMT simulation, SIL and HIL testing, ideal for validating control, protection, grid integration and large-scale stability across all stages of power system development.
High-end Simulator
OP5707XG2
Unequalled level of performance in a co-simulation platform, featuring an AMD Virtex™-7 FPGA and up to 16 cores of the latest Intel® Xeon® CPUs, both required for power systems and power electronics applications.
FAQ
Find the answers to your questions
How does OPAL-RT support WAMPAC research and development with real-time simulation?
We provide a flexible and cost-effective platform for wide area monitoring, protection, and control (WAMPAC) research. Our real-time simulation environment allows you to model complex grid behavior, integrate both physical and virtual PMUs, and test control strategies safely before deployment.
Can OPAL-RT help with PMU pre-certification and compliance testing?
Yes, we support PMU pre-certification processes based on the IEEE C37.118.1 standard. Our tools let you simulate test signals, apply system disturbances, and verify device compliance in real time. This helps reduce reliance on physical testing facilities and accelerates certification workflows.
What role does ePHASORSIM play in wide-area control testing?
ePHASORSIM is our real-time RMS simulation tool designed for large transmission and distribution networks. It allows you to study transient stability, validate control logic, and test WAMPAC applications in a scalable environment that supports operator training and decision-making analysis.
Can OPAL-RT emulate PMUs, or do I need physical devices?
We support both options. You can use actual PMUs in a hardware-in-the-loop setup, or take advantage of our virtual PMU models to emulate devices within the simulation. This flexibility makes it easy to test communication, data accuracy, and control logic fully virtually or in a hybrid virtual-physical configuration, without requiring all hardware upfront.
What real-world results have been achieved with OPAL-RT’s WAMPAC solutions?
At KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Dr. Luigi Vanfretti used our platform to establish a WAMPAC research lab. The system’s openness and compatibility with third-party tools allowed his team to develop and test advanced wide-area control strategies efficiently, supporting innovation across multiple projects.
What communication protocols do you support?
Consult our comprehensive list of supported protocols here.
Let’s get to work
Please contact us for more details or any inquiries. Our local team of experts will be pleased to promptly answer any of your questions.
EXata CPS has been specifically designed for real-time performance to allow studies of cyberattacks on power systems through the Communication Network layer of any size and connecting to any number of equipment for HIL and PHIL simulations. This is a discrete event simulation toolkit that considers all the inherent physics-based properties that will affect how the network (either wired or wireless) behaves.