Microgrids & Renewable Energy

Comprehensive testing forges the most resilient microgrids

Simulate and test microgrids in real time

Microgrids require multiple tiers of control and protection to function as both a seamless part of the utility grid and as resilient independent networks capable of supplying local critical loads.

 

The RTDS Simulator allows engineers to model the behaviour of macro- and microgrids over a large frequency range in real time. This allows real microgrid control and protection, as well as physical DERs and their converters, to be connected to the simulated network and tested to significantly reduce risk and improve performance prior to deployment.

 

 

Combining HIL and PHILtesting creates a powerful microgrid testbed capable of physically connecting the simulated network, controllers requiring low-level or Ethernet-based signals, protection requiring secondary-level signals, and real power hardware exchanging real and reactive power with the simulated environment.

 

Test every tier of microgrid control to improve reliability, economic, and environmental performance

 

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Tertiary Control
Use DNP3, IEC 60870-5-104, and more to connect the simulated network to high-level controls and management systems including DMS and SCADA. Optimize power flow and market participation and quantify performance prior to energization.
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Secondary Control
Test centralized microgrid controllers against functional requirements in real time. De-risk against misoperation and instability during planned and unplanned disconnection and improve voltage and frequency resilience in contingency scenarios.
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Primary Control
Mitigate negative interactions between parallel-connected converters using real time, instantaneous results. Combine virtual and physical DER protection and control in a testbed to comprehensively assess performance over a wide range of conditions.