Implementation of Simulation Algorithms in FPGA for Real Time Simulation of Electrical Networks with Power Electronics Devices

Development of digital simulators for transient analysis of electric power systems has been the subject of many research works during the last four decades. In most studies, the simulation can be done off-line but in some particular situations, usually equipment testing, it may be mandatory to have the simulation executed in real time so that the interaction with real equipments can be studied. Digital Real Time Power System Simulators, DRTPSS for short, became a mandatory tool to ensure the quality of power systems. Most of the DRTPSSs in use nowadays are based on high performance parallel processors using last generation technology. Recently, some works have proposed new architectures based on the use of FPGAs ("Field Programmable Gate Arrays") as a mean to increase the simulator's processing power without increasing its cost too much. This work shows how FPGAs can be used to implement a DRTPSS capable of simulating large electrical networks including high frequency power electronic devices.