A real time simulation tool for predicting the performance of power electronics technology used in grid.

Universal Real Time Power Conversion (URTPC), LLC is developing a unique real time simulation tool for design, analysis and interoperability of large power systems such as grid, micro grid, aircraft/ship/spacecraft power system, automotive drive train etc. The proposed technology supports simulation of large circuit model of power system, power electronics and power conversion system in real time. A very large power system up to billion nodes can be simulated using this simulator in near real time. Our tool provides a turnkey solution which can simulate altogether an electrical circuit, control system, stability analysis, electromechanical devices, mechanical devices including their associated loss; and if needed it can also simulate the thermal and mechanical stress developed (using FEA) for such losses. The tool can be expanded for CFD analysis as well. However, FEA, FD and CFD analysis are not in the scope of this proposal. The Customer – Our initial customers will be the power system Distribution Energy Resource designer and power system utility in North America presumably the owners of the segment of the power system where power electronics based DERs are physically installed. Besides utility, our other major customer base will be the other power electronics-based power system providers. The typical application will be more electric aircraft/ship/spacecraft/subsea oil rig/mining power system, automotive power train and micro grid system where multiple components interact with each other as a system and needs to be tested in model level for studying interoperability, stability, system efficiency, fault behavior etc. before finalizing the specs for design and manufacturing. For safety, critical and cost-sensitive applications such Physics Based Simulation (PBS) tool will be very useful for optimizing the design. The present innovation will be used in HIL simulation industry as well. HIL simulation is one of the most useful means to reduce the time to market for these industries, where current solutions are inefficient and costly. Company will explore a cloud-based simulation platform where the unit will be stationed at the URTPC facility and users can use them through cloud as a pay per use basis. So, the sales model will be a mixed – it can be sold with hardware and software together to be stationed at customer place or the customer can access it through cloud on pay per use basis. The Value Proposition – Faster simulation time and higher capacity are the essential needs for simulating large power system. Present simulators are either too slow or lack in capacity and hence not adequate to have a detailed simulation of power system. The proposed URTPC solution will meet those needs by increasing the capacity to 50-100x in a and speed of simulation by 10-100x in a single module. . The Innovation - The major innovation of the proposed simulator is that it can simulate a large power system in association with power electronics equipment to verify interoperability and the same will be running in real time in nano second step time. The innovation can be used for power system stability analysis, fault analysis, parallel resonance study and estimating the life of the power electronics-based DER. The tool when developed and matured can be used as bench mark for new product validation and certification. By using multiple modules in parallel a large representative power system in combination with large synchronous generator, gas fired turbine, variable energy source such as renewable and storage can be simulated in real time.