Dynamic Modelling and Co-simulation Between MATLAB–Simulink and DIgSILENT PowerFactory of Electric Railway Traction Systems

The inclusion of electric transportation systems generates more complex interactions among multiple grid components. The action of these elements actively affects the state of power distribution grids and their complexity for operation analyses, which requires proper studies in order to avoid potentially bad situations. A feasible answer to this constraint can be the usage of digital co-simulation that is a well-developed technique for the performance assessment of power systems. Therefore, this chapter presents a co-simulation tool for assessing the impact of electric railway traction systems into the grid. The co-simulation tool is applied to mass electric mobility interacting with an electric power system by means of OLE for process control (OPC), which allows controlling and supervising the communication between DIgSILENT PowerFactory and MATLAB–Simulink. DIgSILENT PowerFactory is used for railway and utility power systems simulation; meanwhile, MATLAB–Simulink simulates electrical drives as well as control and operation of asynchronous machines (i.e. the power electronic converters). The combination of both computer programs through OPC Simulation Server sets a powerful platform up to test complex control systems applied in traction systems of electric trains.