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Template: Fingrid modelling instruction for PSS/E and PSCAD models

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Version: 4

Last updated: 20 Jun 2025

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FI

Software required:

PSS®E
PSCAD™

Source: Modelling instruction for PSS/E and PSCAD models | v2.0 | 12 January 2024

Preview of template's gridmo Flow showing Nodes
Quick start

Before running this template, complete the following:

  • Complete the Model setup template, including setting and testing all standard global variables for the PSS®E and PSCAD™ models of your generating system.
  • If your project is a battery (BESS), set up scenario variables for both discharging and charging mode.
  • Add this template to your project.

Changes required before first run​

  • Loop: Start Node 1421: Disable if your generating system does not support voltage control.
  • Loop: Start Node 1440: Disable if your generating system does not support reactive power control.
  • Loop: Start Node 1447: Disable if your generating system does not support power factor control.
  • If your generating system has compensation equipment which dynamically connects and disconnects from the network:
    • Enable Start Node 1496.
    • Update the PSS®E Dynamic and PSCAD™ Nodes connected to Start Node 1496 to include commands to switch the compensation equipment in and out.
  • Loop: Start Node 1534: Update the l_scr and l_xr variables to match the VCSCR provided to you by Fingrid (if not available, this Template defaults to normal SCR).
  • Loop: Start Node 1548: Disable loops which don't match the voltage level of your generator's connection point.

This gridmo template:

  • Includes all required tests as per Appendix A and Appendix B of the Fingrid Modelling instruction for PSS/E and PSCAD models (referred to as the Fingrid modelling instructions on this page).
  • Does not include all assessment criteria as per the Acceptance criteria column of Appendix A & B - for generator performance assessments, refer to our Fingrid VJV2024 Template available here.
info

In gridmo's templates, the global variable $max_scr corresponds with the Fingrid definition of Normal SCR and the global variable $min_scr corresponds with the Fingrid definition of Minimum SCR.

Assumptions​

  • It is unclear in the Fingrid modelling instructions if the PSS®E and PSCAD™ results should be benchmarked/overlaid, or displayed on separate plots. The two dynamic simulation results have been overlaid in this template, but can be separated if desired.
  • (Test 1.1, 1.2 & 1.3): V droop / Q setpoint / Power factor set-point changes are spaced 10 seconds apart.
  • (Test 2.1, 2.2, 3.3 & 3.4): The Fingrid modelling instructions do not specify the rate of change of frequency (ROCOF) deviations, nor the time duration of the frequency deviations. This template has been configured to use a 2 Hz/sec ROCOF (see Fingrid VJV2024 Section 10.2.2) and a 10 second duration for each frequency state.
  • (Test 3.1, 3.2, 5.2, 6.1): The Fingrid modelling instructions do not specify the rate of change of voltage of these voltage deviations, nor the time duration of the voltage deviations. This template has been configured to use an instantaneous voltage change with a 10 second duration for each voltage state.
  • (Test 6.2): We've excluded this test from this template as it appears to be functionally equivalent to Test 6.1.
  • (Test 7.1.1 & 7.1.2): VJV2024 Table 10.3 and Table 10.4 do not specify the type of fault (balanced or unbalanced) to apply in these tests. We have assumed balanced faults for this template.
  • (Test 7.2): VJV2024 and the Fingrid modelling instructions does not define the time separation between faults as part of the multiple fault ride through. We have assumed a 2 second separation between faults for this template.
  • (Test 7.3, 7.4): This has been implemented as a sequence of three phase faults of 250 ms duration (the longest fault as per VJV2024 Table 10.3 and Table 10.4).

The Fingrid modelling instructions specifies the following additional model capabilities which need to be demonstrated. Not all of these tests can be currently demonstrated in gridmo.

Test numberDescriptionSupported by gridmo?
PSCAD-A1PSCAD™ version compatibility test and Fortran test.✅ Can be completed by changing the global variables $pscad_compiler and $pscad_compiler. For example, completing one run with gFortran and then switch $pscad_compiler to complete all tests again using Intel Visual Fortran.
PSCAD-A2Compatibility with other models and multiple instances❌ Possible, but typically not demonstrated in gridmo, as it requires a second PSCAD™ model of the generating system to be created with multiple of the same generating system with different settings.
PSCAD-A3Model aggregation, equipment, signals, and control modes.❌ Possible, but not built in as part of this template.
PSCAD-A4Multiple run and snapshot features❌ Possible, but a plot result from gridmo is likely insufficient evidence of multi-run and snapshot capability.
PSSE-A1(PSS®E) version compatibility 35✅ Can be completed by changing the global variable $psse_version. For example, completing one run in PSS®E v35.3.0 by setting $psse_version=35.3.0 and a second run in an alternative version.
PSSE-A2Unique model name❌ N/A as manual review of the generator's model name as per the DYRE file is required.
PSSE-A3System decimal separator❌ Toggling PSS®E's system decimal separator is not currently supported in gridmo - manual *.sav case modification is required.
PSSE-A4Initialisation (5 minute flat run)✅ Included in template.

Sources​

Revision history​

Version 4 | 20 June 2025​

Improvements
  • Removed all ADVBANDS & OUTPUT commands, removed calculations from all Plot Nodes and standardised this Template to include the tests strictly as per the Modelling Instruction tests. This is because a new template which tests generator performance in line with VJV2024 is now available, which assesses the requirements of the Acceptance criteria column more thoroughly.
  • Standardised Start Node titles to better match the relevant section of the Modelling Instructions.
  • Renamed this Template, this page and updated all Plot Node subtitles to remove references to VJV2018 (which is now a superseded standard).
  • Test 2.1 & 2.2 - Frequency response: - Removed applied frequency test (not needed as test is completed at infinite inertia), shortened PSS®E and PSCAD™ simulation to 10 seconds and combined Test 2.1 and 2.2 into same plot loop
  • Tests 3.1 & 3.2 - Voltage ride-through: Removed applied test (not required with infinite SCR) and shortened PSS®E and PSCAD™ simulations to 10 seconds per voltage state.
  • Tests 3.3 & 3.4 - Frequency ride-through: Removed applied test (as infinite inertia is used) and under frequency and shortened PSS®E and PSCAD™ simulations to 10 seconds per frequency state.
  • Tests 4.1 & 4.2 - Compensation equipment switch in/out capability: Tests are now disabled by default, split into individual loops, added action notes and placeholder commands for compensation equipment disconnect/connect.
  • Test 5.1 - Reactive power capability: Removed applied test subplot (as infinite SCR) and shortened PSS®E and PSCAD™ simulations to 10 seconds per voltage state.
  • Test 5.2 - Reactive power capability with disturbance: Removed applied test subplot (as infinite SCR).
  • Test 6.1 - Response to voltage steps: Updated details on VCSCR in action bubble.
  • Tests 7.1.1 & 7.1.2 - Fault ride-through: Added clearer action bubble regarding what loop rows should be enabled for this test.
  • Tests 8.1 & 8.2 - Protection trips: Removed applied test as infinite SCR is used.
Fixed
  • Renamed output folder name from "Model requirements" to "Modelling instructions"
  • Test 1.1 - Voltage droop control: Corrected Vref step direction (Vref should first be to 0.98 rather than 1.02)
  • Test 1.2 - Reactive power control: Corrected step direction (Qref should first be to -0.1 rather than 0.1)
  • Test 1.5 - Active power setpoint changes: Changed final value from 1.0 p.u. active power to Pmin.
  • Tests 3.1 & 3.2 - Voltage ride-through: Corrected SCR (was normal SCR, but should be infinite SCR).
  • Tests 3.3 & 3.4 - Frequency ride-through: Renamed Nodes as they incorrectly referenced only an under-frequency event
  • Tests 4.1 & 4.2 - Corrected incorrect Plot Node subtitle (referenced active power steps rather than compensation equipment disconnect/connect).
  • Test 5.1 - Reactive power capability: Reduced Q setpoint to +/- 0.33 p.u. to be within the limits as per VJV2024 17.2.1 & 17.2.4, removed applied test subplot (as infinite SCR) and shortened PSS®E and PSCAD™ simulations to 10 seconds per voltage state.
  • Test 5.2 - Reactive power capability with disturbance: Reduced Q setpoint to within limits as per VJV2024 17.2.1 & 17.2.4, corrected Plot Node subtitle (which incorrectly referenced Test 5.1) and corrected typo on PSS®E Dynamic and PSCAD™ Node titles.
  • Test 6.1 - Response to voltage steps: Removed extra voltage playback step, changed initial connection point voltage to 1.0 pu instead of system normal voltage.
  • Tests 7.1.1 & 7.1.2 - Fault ride-through: Added drop to minimum SCR post fault to PSS®E Dynamic and PSCAD™ Nodes.
  • Test 7.2 - Multiple FRT: Shortened PSS®E and PSCAD™ simulations to 27 seconds. Standardised separation of faults (first fault was after 2 seconds, then subsequent tests were 1 second apart - now all 2 seconds apart).
  • Test 7.3 - Fault current injection: Corrected applied fault duration, was 430 ms, now 250 ms. Added applied test subplot. Removed extra voltage disturbances (aligned strictly with tests listed).

Version 3 | 16 April 2025​

New
  • Added applied test displays for test 5.1 and 5.2 (Q capability).

Version 2 (v1.4.12) | 15 April 2024​

  • Updated to align with newest template Sticky Note format.

Version 1 (v1.4.11) | 20 March 2024​

  • First release.