Regulator

Regulators are essentially tap-changing transformers that attempt to maintain a voltage level at a specified point in the system. Regulators are one of two objects in the powerflow module that incorporate a form of automatic control. To take full advantage of this functionality, simulations of greater than one time step (time-varying simulations) are recommended. Similar to transformer and line objects, regulators require a regulator_configuration to determine many of their operating parameters.

For technical details on regulator modeling, see Controls and Devices Theory.

A typical implementation would be

object regulator {
    name Reg799781;
    phases "ABC";
    from node_799;
    to node_781;
    configuration reg_conf_79978101;
    }

Regulator Parameters

Properties

regulator objects are derived from link objects, so any parameters of the link object are available as well.

The I/O column indicates whether a property is user-settable input (I), simulation-computed output (O), or both (IO).

Table 1: regulator table 1
Property Name	Type	Unit	I/O	Description
configuration	object	N/A	I	regulator_configuration object that describes the specific regulator implementation.
tap_A	int16	N/A	IO	Position of the tap on phase `A` of a wye-connected or phase `AB` of a delta-connected system. This parameter is most useful to be read in automatic regulator modes, but serves as the input for tap position of the phase under the manual control scheme.
tap_B	int16	N/A	IO	Position of the tap on phase `B` of a wye-connected or phase `BC` of a delta-connected system. This parameter is most useful to be read in automatic regulator modes, but serves as the input for tap position of the phase under the manual control scheme.
tap_C	int16	N/A	IO	Position of the tap on phase `C` of a wye-connected or phase `CA` of a delta-connected system. This parameter is most useful to be read in automatic regulator modes, but serves as the input for tap position of the phase under the manual control scheme.
msg_mode	enumeration	N/A	I	Messages regarding remote node voltage to come internally from gridlabd or externally through co-simulation. Set to EXTERNAL only if you have co-simulation enabled Valid values: `INTERNAL`, `EXTERNAL`.
remote_voltage_A	complex	V	IO	Remote node voltage, Phase A to ground
remote_voltage_B	complex	V	IO	Remote node voltage, Phase B to ground
remote_voltage_C	complex	V	IO	Remote node voltage, Phase C to ground
tap_A_change_count	double	N/A	IO	Holds the number of times the tap position on phase `A` of a wye-connected or phase `AB` of a delta-connected system has changed.
tap_B_change_count	double	N/A	IO	Holds the number of times the tap position on phase `B` of a wye-connected or phase `BC` of a delta-connected system has changed.
tap_C_change_count	double	N/A	IO	Holds the number of times the tap position on phase `C` of a wye-connected or phase `CA` of a delta-connected system has changed.
sense_node	object	N/A	I	Remote node for the automatic control method to monitor. Only utilized in `REMOTE_NODE` control scheme. This must be a node-based object to work properly.
regulator_resistance	double	Ohm	I	The resistance value of the regulator when it is not blown.

Regulator State of Development

Regulator is considered a well developed and validated model in terms of powerflow solutions, however, models may be developed to include more advanced features in the future. Additional configurations, controls, and/or losses may be included as needed.

Regulator Configuration

The regulator_configuration object describes the details of a particular regulator object implementation. This includes details such as the control scheme, regulator type, sensing information, and time delays. A typical regulator configuration would look similar to

object regulator_configuration {
    name reg_conf_79978101;
    connect_type 2;
    band_center 122.000;
    band_width 2.0;
    time_delay 30.0;
    raise_taps 16;
    lower_taps 16;
    current_transducer_ratio 350;
    power_transducer_ratio 40;
    compensator_r_setting_A 1.5;
    compensator_x_setting_A 3.0;
    compensator_r_setting_B 1.5;
    compensator_x_setting_B 3.0;
    CT_phase "ABC";
    PT_phase "ABC";
    regulation 0.10;
    Control MANUAL;
    control_level INDIVIDUAL;
    Type A;
    tap_pos_A 7;
    tap_pos_B 4;
    }

Regulator Configuration Parameters

Properties

regulator_configuration does not declare inherited parent classes.

The I/O column indicates whether a property is user-settable input (I), simulation-computed output (O), or both (IO).

Table 2: regulator table 2
Property Name	Type	Unit	I/O	Description
connect_type	enumeration	N/A	I	Selection method for the electrical connection type of the regulator implemented. Valid types may be referred to by number or keyword 0 - `UNKNOWN` - Unknown regulator implementation that will throw an error if used 1 - `WYE_WYE` - Wye connected regulator implementation 2 - `OPEN_DELTA_ABBC` - Open delta connected regulator with CA open - Note: Unimplemented at this time 3 - `OPEN_DELTA_BCAC` - Open delta connected regulator with AB open - Note: Unimplemented at this time 4 - `OPEN_DELTA_CABA` - Open delta connected regulator with BC open - Note: Unimplemented at this time 5 - `CLOSED_DELTA` - Closed delta connected regulator implementation - Note: Unimplemented at this time
band_center	double	V	I	Center point of the voltage level desired.
band_width	double	V	I	Allowed range for the voltage to vary before a change is implemented. Centered around `band_center`, so limits are at `band_center - band_width/2` and `band_center + band_width/2`.
time_delay	double	s	I	Amount of time from a change request to the physical changing of the tap position on the regulator. Represents mechanical delays in the regulator.
dwell_time	double	s	I	Amount of time a change must be consistently requested before enacted upon. Represents a transient filter or additional hysteresis implementation to prevent excessive tap changes due to transient spikes.
raise_taps	int16	N/A	I	Upper limit of tap positions allowed in the regulator.
lower_taps	int16	N/A	I	Lower limit of tap positions allowed in the regulator. Note: This value is represented as a magnitude value. The actual lower limit of the tap positions is assumed to be -`lower_taps`.
current_transducer_ratio	double	pu	I	Turns ratio for current transducer for the line-drop compensator control method.
power_transducer_ratio	double	pu	I	Turns ratio for the power transducer for the line-drop compensator control method.
compensator_r_setting_A	double	V	I	Compensator resistive value for phase `A`.
compensator_r_setting_B	double	V	I	Compensator resistive value for phase `B`.
compensator_r_setting_C	double	V	I	Compensator resistive value for phase `C`.
compensator_x_setting_A	double	V	I	Compensator reactive value for phase `A`.
compensator_x_setting_B	double	V	I	Compensator reactive value for phase `B`.
compensator_x_setting_C	double	V	I	Compensator reactive value for phase `C`.
CT_phase	set	N/A	I	Current transducer connection phase. Valid keywords are - `A` - Phase `A` current transducer - `B` - Phase `B` current transducer - `C` - Phase `C` current transducer Note: This function is not implemented at this time.
PT_phase	set	N/A	I	Power transducer connection phase. Valid keywords are - `A` - Phase `A` power transducer - `B` - Phase `B` power transducer - `C` - Phase `C` power transducer
regulation	double	N/A	I	Indicates range of voltage adjustment possible (i.e., per tap change ratio equals regulation / raise taps, or regulation of 0.1 indicates 10% rise in voltage at maximum tap position)
control_level	enumeration	N/A	I	Defines how automatic controls influence the tap settings of the regulator. Valid keywords are: - `INDIVIDUAL` - Each phase is controlled individually. - `BANK` - All phases are controlled identically. Using the `PT_phase` property, the regulator determines any control actions and applies it to all phases identically.
Control	enumeration	N/A	I	Defines the control scheme the regulator will use to operate. Valid keywords are: - `MANUAL` - Manual control mode. User specifies all tap changes. - `OUTPUT_VOLTAGE` - Output node of the regulator's voltage is examined. Tap changes are performed based on `band_center` and `band_width`. - `LINE_DROP_COMP` - Line drop compensator control mode. Utilizes compensator information in addition to `band_center` and `band_width` to determine tap changes. - `REMOTE_NODE` - Voltage of a remote node (specified by `sense_node` in the regulator object) in the system is examined. Tap changes are performed based on `band_center` and `band_width`.
reverse_flow_control	enumeration	N/A	I	Type of control used when power is flowing in reverse through the regulator Valid values: `LOCK_NONE`, `LOCK_NEUTRAL`, `LOCK_CURRENT_POSITION`.
Type	enumeration	N/A	I	Type of step-voltage regulator implemented. Valid keywords are: - `A` - Type A step-voltage regulator - `B` - Type B step-voltage regulator
tap_pos_A	int16	N/A	I	Initial tap position for phase `A`. If left empty, the regulator will take a best guess at the initial tap position.
tap_pos_B	int16	N/A	I	Initial tap position for phase `B`. If left empty, the regulator will take a best guess at the initial tap position.
tap_pos_C	int16	N/A	I	Initial tap position for phase `C`. If left empty, the regulator will take a best guess at the initial tap position.

Regulator Configuration State of Development

Regulator Configuration is considered a well developed and validated model in terms of powerflow solutions, however, models may be developed to include more advanced features in the future. Additional configurations, controls, and/or losses may be included as needed.