Real time power system simulation using RTDS and NI PXI

Real time simulation is becoming an essential simulation environment for engineering design, especially in power systems. This paper discusses two real time simulators applied to power system simulation: real time digital simulator (RTDS) and National Instruments-PXI (PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation). RTDS is an efficient tool for the design, development, and testing of power system and its components. NI-PXI is a high-performance and low-cost PC-based platform, used for simulating wide variety of systems. Virtual testing of power systems on the NI-PXI and its potential power system simulating capabilities has been discussed here. The performances of both the simulators are studied and compared by running an eight-bus power system under different fault conditions in real time. A Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)-351S directional over-current relay is used to test these power system simulators. The SEL reports obtained by simulating the power system on these simulators are compared as a part of verification process.