What Is EMT Simulation?

Electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation is the process of modeling and analyzing rapid, short-duration events in electrical power systems, known as electromagnetic transients. These transients can significantly impact the performance and reliability of power systems. They are often triggered by factors such as the switching operations of inverter-based resources (IBRs) or the energization and de-energization of electrical equipment. Such transients can cause overvoltage or overcurrent, potentially damaging equipment, disrupting system operations, or compromising system stability.

With the growing integration of IBRs such as solar inverters and wind turbines into modern grids, understanding and analyzing these transient conditions has become essential. EMT simulation supports organizations that are:

• Designing and analyzing electrical power systems for flexibility and stability
• Protecting electrical equipment and infrastructure against frequency transients and power imbalances
• Operating power systems for resiliency amid grid disturbances

Accurate analysis of these transient phenomena requires sophisticated simulation tools capable of modeling the dynamic behavior of power system components under transient conditions. Using MathWorks products such as MATLAB^®, Simulink^®, and Simscape Electrical™, engineers can model and simulate these transient phenomena.

EMT Simulation Using MATLAB and Simulink

The increasing integration of IBRs, such as solar inverters and wind turbines, presents significant grid stability challenges. These include harmonics, fault ride-through capability, voltage fluctuations, and various control actions within the power system network. MATLAB, Simulink, and Simscape Electrical enable modeling and simulating electromagnetic transients using prebuilt models of power system components such as solar PV arrays, wind turbines, transformers, transmission lines, machines, and power electronics circuits. You can also incorporate faults, switching operations, lightning strikes, and other transient events into the model, enabling comprehensive simulation and analysis within the Simulink environment.

To perform EMT simulation using MATLAB, Simulink, and Simscape Electrical:

1. Construct the model: Model components such as generators, transformers, transmission lines, power electronic converters, and loads to represent the topology of the power system.
2. Introduce transient events: Specify the characteristics of the transient to be simulated. This includes defining the location, time, magnitude, and duration of events like faults, switching operations of power electronics, or sudden changes in load. These events are crucial for analyzing the system's response to real-world disturbances.
3. Compute system response: During the simulation, capture the dynamic interactions between components and the resulting transient phenomena. This process generates data on voltages, currents, and other electrical quantities throughout the system.

Additionally, MATLAB and Simulink facilitate the design and optimization of control strategies to enhance system stability and reliability, enabling you to test various scenarios and configurations and create plots, graphs, and animations to visualize system responses.