E-Tran Plus Overview
“E-TRAN Plus for PSCAD” and “E-TRAN Plus for PSS/E” are add-ons to E-TRAN (and are sold/licensed separately).
E-TRAN Plus for PSCAD is a set of models which allow large PSCAD cases to be broken up and run using parallel processing on multiple cores (on 1 computer) or on multiple computers.
Parallel Simulation Across Multiple CPUs
Independent Time-Step Control
Cross-Version PSCAD Compatibility
Flexible Compiler Integration
Consistent, Identical Results
Electrical System Segmentation
Bergeron Line & Cable Breakpoints
Transformer-Based System Splitting
E-Tran Plus For PSS/E
E-TRAN Plus for PSS/E is a hybrid simulation interface between PSCAD and PSS/E transient stability programs. It allows network equivalents in PSCAD to communicate with a PSS/E transient stability time domain simulation. Basically the PSCAD side system equivalent gets updated from PSS/E’s voltage, angle and frequency, and the PSS/E side gets updated from what happens in PSCAD. Once the hybrid simulation is setup, both programs run in parallel, communicating and updating each other.
Hybrid Simulation Allows
Dynamic system equivalents in PSCAD. Accurate detailed models running in PSSE Different versions of PSSE running simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Currently, versions 23-26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are supported.
E-TRAN can generate three-phase Single Line Diagram (SLD) circuit .psc or .pscx files for PSCAD V4.2, and x4.6.
Check that the .raw file being used is “solved” and has the updated loadflow solution saved in it. Also check that fundamental frequency behaviour of any models in the E-TRAN Substitution Library match that of the standard E-TRAN components (If you turn off the Substitution Library, does the solution then match?). Finally, check DC links to see if they are operating correctly. The DC link controls may have to be adjusted to work in very weak systems (If you use the “Infinite Bus” option in the DC link component, does the loadflow then match?
Detailed EMT models (such as transformers with saturation, frequency dependent transmission lines) are essential for any meaningful study (especially for over-voltage, harmonic studies?). E-TRAN supports a Substitution Library which allows a user to enter the detailed model data maintaining/managing the data in a PSCAD library and will automatically use the detailed data if it is available. The fundamental frequency impedances from the loadflow file are used to generate multi-port network equivalents, and, to determine the steady state powerflow. The powerflow is used to initialize all machines, sources, generators or any device. E-TRAN will automatically modify the initial condition information of machines found in the Substitution Library (which in turn will initialize any exciter, governor, multi-mass system), and in general can provide initial conditions for any device. This means E-TRAN can directly generate a circuit ready for EMT studies, complete with frequency dependent lines, detailed generator/exciter/governor models, detailed HVDC/SVC/FACTS devices etc. providing that the user has entered this data once in a library.
The PSCAD Master library models performs RMS or instantaneous PQ measurement (for example, the sum of VA.IA + VB.IB + VC.IC etc.), which includes the effect of all sequence components and the effect of harmonics. The E-TRAN PQ measurements devices (or voltage measurements) measure the +ve sequence, fundamental frequency quantities (used in loadflow programs), not the instantaneous or RMS quantities. This effect is particularly obvious at locations where there are significant harmonics (such as near a commutating model of a DC link). If the instantaneous quantities being measured are sinusoidal, distortion free and balanced (i.e., only +ve sequence), the results should match.
You can visit http://www.electranix.com/software or you can send e-mail to the Electranix Corporation.
You can visit http://www.PSCAD.com or you can send e-mail to the PSCAD Support team at support@PSCAD.com . PSCAD is developed and supported by the Manitoba HVDC Research Centre Inc (http://www.hvdc.ca).
The E-TRAN program is always under development. Future releases will translate transient stability data in addition to the loadflow data and will form dynamic equivalents. These will include the effects of machine inertia and controls in the network equivalents. We also plan to support additional input formats (in addition to the PSS/E .raw format). If you have any ideas or suggestions for improvements to E-TRAN, please send them to us.
