PSCAD EMTDC Resources

Free PSCAD Resources

This site is a growing collection of free PSCAD examples, practical simulation cases, and reusable engineering resources for professionals working with electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies, PSCAD / EMTDC model development, controls, inverter based resources (IBRs), renewable generation, and modern power system simulation. The objective is to provide clear, useful examples that help engineers understand PSCAD concepts, explore modelling techniques, debug problems, and build better simulation models.

About

I am a power systems electrical engineer specializing in electromagnetic transient model development and simulation, with a particular focus on inverter based resources and wind turbine systems. My work spans detailed PSCAD model development, simulation automation, custom component development, and the creation of specialized tools that extend PSCAD and EMTDC capabilities for complex engineering applications.

I have more than 14 years of experience working directly with PSCAD and EMTDC, including extensive experience reviewing and debugging detailed user models, custom components, simulation workflows, and software integration issues. My work has included investigating EMTDC memory corruption, developing and troubleshooting DLL integrations, implementing C-to-Fortran interface wrappers, and resolving low level issues involving compiled code, external libraries, and the interaction between custom models and the EMTDC simulation engine. This experience has provided a detailed understanding not only of how PSCAD models are built and simulated, but also of what happens beneath the graphical interface when those models are compiled and executed.

This collection is a passion project of mine. My goal is to share practical PSCAD examples, modelling techniques, and implementation approaches that can be applied to real engineering work. The examples are designed to go beyond basic demonstrations by highlighting useful techniques, common modelling challenges, debugging approaches, and less obvious features of PSCAD and EMTDC that can help engineers develop more robust and effective simulation models.

Totally free and open source. ❤️

PSCAD Collection

Download the cases freely and use them to explore PSCAD modelling concepts, simulation techniques, controls, automation, and EMT study workflows. These examples are in no particular order, rhyme or rhythm. Just how I made them, what I was into at the time. For ideas or requests contact me on LinkedIn.

Example 1

Custom Component Calling External Fortran Code

Tags
Custom Component Fortran External script

This example demonstrates a PSCAD custom component that exchanges data with an external Fortran routine. The component accepts a real value through an input port and an integer value through a component parameter.

The resulting real value is then returned to PSCAD through the custom component and plotted in the simulation.


PSCAD Versionv5.1+
Example Versionv1.0
Special NotesN/A
Example 2

PSCAD Component Library

Tags
Component Library Custom Component

This is not a single PSCAD example, but an evolving collection of custom components I have developed for my own projects, testing, and general experimentation. I will continue to refine existing components and add new ones over time as the library grows.

The collection includes logic blocks, meters, displays, and a variety of miscellaneous tools ranging from genuinely useful to occasionally questionable. The goal is to provide practical building blocks that can be reused, modified, or simply explored to better understand custom component development in PSCAD.


PSCAD Versionv5.1+
Example Versionv1.1
Special NotesN/A
Example 3

Changing PSCAD Constant Values with Python and mhi.pscad

Tags
Python Automation mhi.pscad

This example demonstrates how Python can be used with the mhi.pscad library to modify component values within a PSCAD project. The script connects to PSCAD, locates selected components, and programmatically changes the values of both real and integer constant components.

It provides a simple introduction to PSCAD automation with Python and shows how model parameters can be updated without manually editing the project. The same approach can be extended to more advanced automation tasks such as parameter sweeps, batch simulations, model configuration, and repetitive study workflows.


PSCAD Versionv5.1+
Example Versionv1.0
Special NotesUsing mhi.pscad v2.9.7
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Looking for more?

I will try to create and upload new cases (somewhat) regularly. Follow on LinkedIn for new example releases, PSCAD tips, model development techniques, debugging lessons, and practical simulation insights.

Disclaimer

The PSCAD examples, models, files, and related information provided on this website are made available for educational and informational purposes only. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing these materials, no representation or warranty is made regarding their accuracy, completeness, suitability, reliability, or fitness for any particular purpose.

The examples may contain errors, omissions, modelling assumptions, simplifications, or software specific limitations. Users are responsible for independently reviewing, validating, and verifying all models, calculations, parameters, results, and conclusions before relying on them for engineering, design, operational, commercial, regulatory, or other purposes.

Use of any material provided on this website is entirely at the user's own risk. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Mathias Pielahn assumes no liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or other loss or damage arising from the use of, reliance on, or inability to use any example, model, file, information, or simulation result provided on this website.

These materials are not a substitute for professional engineering judgment, independent verification, or compliance with applicable standards, codes, regulations, and project specific requirements.

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