Dominion Energy enhances workforce training with substation automated training simulator (SATS)

The company

Dominion Energy is one of the largest energy producers and distributors in the United States, serving approximately 7 million customers across 15 states. With a growing portfolio that includes 31 GW of electric generation and 93,500 miles of gas distribution, Dominion is driving the transition to cleaner energy with large-scale projects like the 2.6-GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind initiative.

The challenges

As Dominion Energy expanded renewable energy projects and implemented advanced protection and control systems, new challenges emerged:

• Low system strength at certain PV sites causing voltage instability.
• Reduced inertia and fault current due to Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs).
• Legacy training tools that lacked flexibility and realism.
• Increased complexity in validating protection schemes in real-world conditions.

To ensure grid stability and reduce human error, Dominion needed a training system capable of accurately replicating power system conditions, including fault scenarios and dynamic equipment interactions.

The OPAL-RT solution

In 2021, Dominion implemented the substation automated training simulator (SATS), built on HYPERSIM, our real-time simulation platform. The system includes:

• An OP5700 simulator and 4 OP5600 expansion boxes.
• 24 Omicron Power Amplifiers integrated with 5 equipment panels.
• A fully connected relay panel and simulator room enabling seamless configuration.

This closed-loop system replicates realistic power events, supports IEC 61850 testing, and allows operators to switch substation equipment in a safe, simulated environment—enhancing both protection validation and operator training.

The results

• Realistic training: Dominion now trains engineers on abnormal yet plausible grid scenarios without safety risks.
• Improved protection validation: Teams can test entire schemes, from relay coordination to wiring accuracy.
• Cross-departmental collaboration: Multiple teams contributed to SATS development, enhancing internal buy-in and training impact.
• Award-winning innovation: The SATS project earned the Chairman’s Excellence Award in training from the Southeastern Electric Exchange.
• Scalable future: The system is expanding to model distribution networks, support interns in model development, and integrate IEC 61850 control house training.

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