IEC TS 63537:2026

IEC TS 63537 ®
Edition 1.0 2026-06
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
Hardware-in-the-loop simulation test of power system stability control system

ICS 29.240; 29.240.30 ISBN 978-2-8327-1326-6

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CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions, and abbreviated terms . 5
3.1 Terms and definitions . 5
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 6
4 General recommendations . 6
4.1 Test scope . 6
4.2 Test recommendations . 7
5 Test system . 7
5.1 Basic architecture . 7
5.2 Simulation model for the testing system . 7
5.3 Simulation interface . 8
5.3.1 General . 8
5.3.2 Analog value sampling interface . 8
5.3.3 Discrete value sampling interface . 8
5.3.4 Digital interface . 9
5.4 Tested PSSC system . 9
5.5 Other control and protection systems . 9
6 Test contents . 9
6.1 Interactive information effectiveness test . 9
6.1.1 Interactive information test between PSSC device and CHIL digital
simulator . 9
6.1.2 Interactive information test of inter-substation communication . 10
6.1.3 Interactive information test between PSSC device and HVDC control
and protection system . 10
6.1.4 Interactive information test between PSSC device and renewable
energy controller . 10
6.1.5 Other situations . 10
6.2 Basic detection logic test . 10
6.3 Functional strategy test . 11
6.3.1 General . 11
6.3.2 Lines/main transformers N-k(k ≥ 2) fault test . 11
6.3.3 Lines/main transformers overload test . 11
6.3.4 HVDC Converter blocking (power ramp-down) strategy test . 11
6.3.5 Voltage/frequency control strategy test . 12
6.3.6 Other related tests . 12
6.4 Control strategy and configuration adaptability testing . 13
6.4.1 General . 13
6.4.2 Operation mode setting . 13
6.4.3 Fault setting. 13
6.4.4 Stability criteria . 13
6.4.5 Configuration adaptability test . 13
7 Test quality management . 13
7.1 Version management of PSSC system . 13
7.2 Test model and data management . 14
7.3 Test report . 14
Annex A (informative) Example of a typical CHIL simulation testing system for PSSC
system . 15
Bibliography . 17

Figure A.1 – A typical example of the CHIL simulation test structure of a PSSC system
based on a physical interface . 15
Figure A.2 – A typical example of the CHIL simulation test structure of a PSSC system
based on a digital interface . 16

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Hardware-in-the-loop simulation test of
power system stability control system

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
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shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC TS 63537 has been prepared by subcommittee 8C, Network management in interconnected
electric power systems, of IEC technical committee 8: System aspects of electrical energy
supply. It is a Technical Specification.
The text of this Technical Specification is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
8C/157/DTS 8C/169A/RVDTS
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this Technical Specification is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
– reconfirmed,
– withdrawn, or
– revised.
1 Scope
This Technical Specification (TS) addresses the requirements for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL)
simulation test of power system stability control system (see definition in 3.1.2). Its purpose is
to provide guidelines encompassing the use of terms and definitions, as well as the objective
and general requirements for HIL simulation test. The TS covers the test requirements, test
system, test contents, and test quality management.
This TS improves the safe and stable operation of the power system.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms, definitions, and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
– IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
– ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1
power system stability control
control in power system which prevents system insecurity,
instability and collapse caused by disturbances, and, to minimize further loss of power supply
Note 1 to entry: The Power System Stability Control is different than the Control and Protection System delivered
by the manufacturer of an individual power system asset such as a generator or HVDC Control and Protection system.
The power system stability control can interface with such individual control systems but is distinct from them.
Note 2 to entry: Special Protection System (SPS), Remedial Action Scheme (RAS), System Integrity Protection
Schemes (SIPS), System Protection Schemes (SyPS), Special Protection Schemes (SpPS), Power System Stability
Control (PSSC) system are typical examples of stability control implementation. Control and Protection Systems
delivered with an individual power system asset, such as a dedicated generator control or HVDC Control and
Protection System, are not examples of PSSC systems, although they can be responsible for implementing the
decisions and actions decided by the PSSC.
3.1.2
power system stability control system
automatic system capable of implementing control schemes
which detect contingency events or/and violations of key operating parameter limit in order to
improve the stability and security of power systems
3.1.3
PSSC device
power system stability control device
type of equipment installed in power plants, transformer
substations, converter stations, or renewable energy stations to ensure the stability of the power
system when encountering large disturbances
Note 1 to entry: This device is designed to perform various functions such as generator tripping, load shedding,
fast active power reduction, activating emergency control of HVDC, and providing rapid control for renewable energy
resources such as wind power, photovoltaics, and energy storage. Its primary objective is to maintain the stability
and reliability of the power system during significant fluctuations or disturbances.
3.1.4
real-time simulator
digital computer or digital processing device executing simulations in synchronism with
real-time
3.1.5
hardware-in-the-loop
technique that allows closed loop interaction between a hardware of interest and a model of
interest using a real-time simulator
3.1.6
CHIL
controller hardware-in-the-loop
HIL system that involves real controller hardware that interacts with the rest of the simulated
system
3.2 Abbreviated terms
The following abbreviated terms are used in the document.
CHIL Controller hardware-in-the-loop
GOOSE Generic Object Oriented Substation Event
HIL Hardware-in-the-loop
HVDC High-voltage direct current
PSSC Power system stability control
RT Real-time
SPS Special protection system
SV Sampled Value
4 General recommendations
4.1 Test scope
In order to standardize the CHIL simulation testing of the PSSC system and improve the safety
and reliability of the operation of the stability control system, the following PSSC systems
(devices) should adopt CHIL simulation testing:
– The PSSC device that utilizes new principles and new criteria
– The new model of PSSC device
– The PSSC system involving information exchange with HVDC control and protection
systems, renewable energy controllers, etc.
– The PSSC system with complex strategies, such as multiple stability control strategies
implementing simultaneously, complex timing logic, etc.
– CHIL simulation can be replaced if other efficient test environments as offline EMT tools can
provide the same results as CHIL simulation (in the case vendor models/DLL are available
or can sufficiently provide for reasonable studies, and are capable of transmitting and
receiving commands).
4.2 Test recommendations
All tested PSSC system should undergo CHIL simulation testing in accordance with the
requirements of this document to verify the correctness of the control strategy functions.
If the primary and standby PSSC systems belong to different equipment manufacturers, both
should be connected simultaneously for simulation testing. If both tested PSSC systems are
from the same equipment manufacturer and operate independently, only one set should be
connected for simulation testing. For tested PSSC systems with a primary-standby/primary-
auxiliary coordination relationship or information exchange, both PSSC systems should be
connected simultaneously.
Before the CHIL simulation test, analog and digital calibration tests for the stability control
system and the CHIL simulator should be conducted. The interactive information exchange
between the PSSC system and the interfaces of any other devices in the HIL should be tested,
to ensure that the accuracy of interface data acquisition and transmission reliability meet the
test requirements.
5 Test system
5.1 Basic architecture
The test system generally consists of a CHIL real-time simulator, simulation I/O interface, the
PSSC system under test, and other connected PSSC systems. An example of a typical CHIL
simulation testing system for PSSC system is provided in Annex A.
5.2 Simulation model for the testing system
The grid model used in the CHIL can be simplified.
Simplification principles for the grid model include:
a) Maintain essentially unchanged power flow distribution and voltage levels in major
transmission lines and interfaces before and after network simplification;
b) The simplified network should retain major/highest voltage level transmission network
configurations, and lower voltage level networks with transmission functions. Loads should
be connected to medium-voltage or low-voltage sides of transformers at the lowest voltage
level. Low-voltage electromagnetic loop networks should generally be preserved;
c) For simplified low-voltage networks: power sources can generally be offset with local loads.
Power sources significantly affecting system short-circuit currents or stability characteristics
can be retained as needed.
The substations and grid involved in the tested PSSC system strategy should be retained.
When testing the principles and criteria of the PSSC device, simulation models and fault
scenarios should be designed in a targeted manner according to Clause 6.
5.3 Simulati
...