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Developer of EMTHub®, a standards-based mechanism for building large power system network models for electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies of inverter-based resources (IBR). For more information, please review:

• IEEE P3743, Recommended Practice for Electromagnetic Transient Model Interoperability for Electric Power Transmission Systems. Project Description and Open-Source Software.
• A draft white paper on EMT/IBR model portability, for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) EMT Task Force: https://github.com/pnnl/i2x/blob/develop/emt-tf-repo/EMT_Model_Portability.pdf
• EMTHub® Documentation and Code
• GitHub repository for EMTHubSupport, with access available to licensed users of the Alternative Transients Program (ATP): https://github.com/temcdrm/emthubsupport

Meltran opened its virtual doors in 2009. Tom McDermott's Resume.

Software Tools

Meltran is an administrator and key contributor for several open-source software projects related to electric power systems:

• EMTHub®, standards-based model building and validation for electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies of electric power systems, with a focus on inverter-based resources (IBR), e.g., wind, solar, and storage.
• GridHub, analytical tools for understanding the electric grid integration of inverter-based resources.
• PECBlocks, for generalized block diagram modeling of inverter-based resources.
• IEEE Flash, for estimating lightning flashover rates on overhead transmission and distribution lines.
• OpenETran, an electromagnetic transients program customized for lightning surges and substation insulation coordination.
• KLUSolve, a sparse matrix solver for electric power systems, based on the KLU library from University of Florida.
• OpenDSS, an electric power Distribution System Simulator (DSS) for supporting distributed resource integration and grid modernization efforts.
• py_dss_interface, with Linux and Mac OS X support of a Python interface to EPRI's official OpenDSS.

Some other useful open-source tools are:

• MATPOWER and MOST, for modeling and optimizing bulk electric systems.
• CIMHub, for CIM-based modeling of electric power distribution networks. (Past contributor.)
• GridLAB-D, for modeling of electric power distribution networks with weather, houses, and end-use loads. (Past contributor.)
• TESP, for simulating transactive energy systems. (Past contributor.)
• i2X, test cases and scripts for the DOE Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange project. (Past contributor.)
• EMT Bootcamp, examples and presentations for the NERC/i2X bootcamp in EMT studies for IBR. (Past contributor.)
• dpvprot, protection of distribution systems with large amounts of distributed photovoltaic generation, using time-domain distance relay functions. (Past contributor.)

History of Meltran

Meltran opened its virtual doors in 2009, as a Pennsylvania S Corporation. In 2023, Meltran moved to Virginia and plans to close (for commercial work) by the end of 2026. For more than fifteen years, Meltran provided analytical studies and model development for electric power systems. We were particularly efficient developing system models from a variety of data sources, using automated tools. This led to important cost and schedule advantages for clients. Areas of practice included:

• Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Interconnection Studies
• Wind and Solar Power Integration
• Underground Transmission Line Integration
• Distribution Automation (DA) and Smart Grid Studies
• Power Quality and Harmonics
• Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) Studies
• Data and Model Conversion
• CIM and MultiSpeak® Integration
• Code Model Development
• Insulation Coordination
• Lightning Protection of Overhead Lines
• Transient Recovery Voltage (TRV) Studies
• Temporary Overvoltage (TOV) Studies
• Simulation and Modeling Platforms
• Shipboard Electrical Systems
• Training in DER Integration
• Training in Transient Analysis

Meltran is not currently accepting new clients for consulting studies. Past clients included:

• BCS, Incorporated
• Coriolis Wind
• Dominion Virginia Power
• Dynalectric
• Electranix
• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
• EnerNex
• National Grid US
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
• Naval Sea Systems Command, Ship Systems Engineering Station, Philadelphia
• Northeast Utilities (now Eversource)
• Oak Ridge National Lab
• Sandia National Lab
• SISCO Systems
• Southport Power LLC
• Taihan Electric
• The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC)
• Utility Variable Generation Integration Group (now ESIG)
• Western Area Power Administration
• Williston Associates

Meltran principals continue to support open-source software tools for the grid on this new web site.