This page provides an overview of the process of importing models and circuits made in EMTP to HYPERSIM by giving a general description of the workflow and some additional information that could be helpful to users.

Workflow

As it is mentioned in EMTP Network Compatibility, circuits that are created in EMTP can be brought to HYPERSIM by applying a few changes to ensure compatibility between the two platforms. The following workflow can be generally used for any circuit import.

Workflow Description

The circuit or project which has been created in EMTP (the *.ecf file) can be opened in HYPERSIM. After making sure the components are all fully compatible with HYPERSIM by checking the EMTP | List of Compatible Components page or if they are partially compatible by checking the EMTP | List of Partially Compatible Components page, from the figure, you can follow these steps to ensure you can start the simulation in HYPERSIM without issues. 

NOTE: High-level models or subsystems from Exciters And Governors, Power electronics, Protection and Renewable EMTP libraries are not fully supported in HYPERSIM. However, these components may be compatible in HYPERSIM if all the basic blocks and functions composing the subsystem are supported. Taking into account the limitations in compatibility of these components, users may have to take additional steps to ensure support.

Step 1: Add a POW block in the HYPERSIM model.

The end of the simulation in HYPERSIM is undefined, unlike EMTP. So, the simulation in HYPERSIM is stopped by the user the time is defined as absolutely or relatively. A Point of Wave (POW) block must be included in all HYPERSIM models. Depending on the model and given that the voltage source model from EMTP is based on a cosine function while the HYPERSIM one is based on a sine function, there might be a need to connect the POW to an auxiliary voltage source. 

You can find more information about POW blocks on this page: Point on Wave Synchronization

Step 2: Replace switches from EMTP with circuit breaker components from HYPERSIM.

The initial state (steady-state) of the circuit breaker and the sequence of at least two switching events need to be specified and defined in HYPERSIM. If the switches from EMTP are not externally controlled, they need to be replaced by HYPERSIM library circuit breakers. Afterward, the switching sequence can be defined using the component.

For more information about circuit breakers in HYPERSIM and how to define the switching sequences please refer to the following pages: Circuit Breaker, 3-Phase and Circuit Breaker, 1-Phase.

Step 3a: Set bus voltages and initialize load flow.

If it is needed to run the load flow so the simulation can start from the steady-state condition, you need to properly set the bus voltages and execute load flow. You can refer to this page to learn how to do it in HYPERSIM: Quick Start: Load Flow. Note that HYPERSIM only supports balanced load flow.

Find more information about the load flow compatibility between HYPERSIM and EMTP on this page: EMTP | Load Flow

NOTE: Remember, this step is not going to be mandatory for every project. 

Step 3b: Verify compatibility of EMTP controllers

If there are synchronous machines or any component from the Exciters and Governors library (from EMTP-RV 4.1), in the circuit, you need to verify their compatibility and prepare a control block that can be used in HYPERSIM. The following page shows you how to handle issues like algebraic loops caused by the feedback from a control system and help you prepare one for HYPERSIM: EMTP | Control.

NOTE: This step is not mandatory for all circuits and depends on the components that are present. 

After following these steps, you can start the simulation. Two example models are featured in this page: EMTP | Example Models which show how the aforementioned steps are followed in order to run the simulation without any issues.

Forms assessment in EMTP and HYPERSIM

The objective of this section is to evaluate the unilaterally of the compatibility of a model when modifying parameters through the EMTP form in HYPERSIM. The idea is to simulate in HYPERSIM a model which is built in EMTP, modify the parameters using both EMTP and HYPERSIM forms in HYPERSIM, and testing the model back in EMTP.

Creating a model in EMTP

The following figures show the EMTP model used for the test of this section and the corresponding form. The test consists of the energization of a CP line model.

Simulating the model in HYPERSIM

The previous model is imported to HYPERSIM. Then, it is modified to be simulated properly in HYPERSIM. A POW is added, and the switch is replaced by a native breaker of HYPERSIM.

The figure below shows the waveform of voltage at the received end of the line (at BUSm2) obtained in both EMTP and HYPERSIM. It is observed that waveforms from EMTP and HYPERSIM are superimposed.

Modifying the parameters using the EMTP and HYPERSIM forms

In HYPERSIM, the EMTP form is maintained. However, it is also possible to see the form corresponding to the native CP line model. The figure below shows the parameter form from HYPERSIM. It can be observed that the parameters are locked. This means that all the changes in the parameters made using the EMTP form are applied to the HYPERSIM form.

NOTE: If any parameter is unlocked in the HYPERSIM form, the future changes made using the EMTP form are no longer applied in the HYPERSIM component. Therefore, any changes made using the HYPERSIM form will not be maintained in the component if the model is opened back in EMTP.

The following figures show the comparison of the form of EMTP and HYPERSIM for the CP line model when the parameter “Line length” is locked and unlocked, respectively.

Comparison of the EMTP form (left) and HYPERSIM form (right). Locked length parameter

Comparison of the EMTP form (left) and HYPERSIM form (right). Unlocked length parameters

Simulating the model back in EMTP

The next figure shows the CP line model which is now open in EMTP. To simulate the model back in EMTP, the HS breaker must be replaced by the original EMTP switch, since the HS breakers are not recognized in EMTP. The POW device is ignored in EMTP. The subsequent figure shows the waveform of voltage at the received end of the line.

The model is simulated back in EMTP. The following figure shows the results

Voltage waveforms at the receiving end of the line obtained in EMTP

As it is seen, the waveforms are identical to the ones from HYPERSIM which was shown before. So, the important takeaway is to make sure if parameters are unlocked in HYPERSIM forms for components, they cannot be changed back in EMTP.

Error Messages

As indicated in EMTP Network Compatibility, some of the EMTP blocks are not supported in HYPERSIM. In such cases, HYPERSIM will show error messages. How the errors are presented and what can be done to solve them will be shown in the future.