Real time network simulation with PC-cluster

This paper presents a new architecture layout for a real-time power system simulator based on a distributed cluster of IBM PC-compatible desktop computers. A real-time network simulator based on a PC cluster can successfully cope with the size requirements of growing power systems and the computational demands of fast transient studies. A powerful product has been developed using off-the-shelf Pentium II 400-MHz workstations with a commercial real-time operating system, standard input/output (I/O) interfaces, and a multimachine networking scheme. Models based on the standard tool for power systems transients simulations, the Electromagnetic Transients Programs (EMTP) program, optimized for real-time performance ensure accurate simulation results.