Hardware-in-the-Loop Validation of an Energy Management System for LV Distribution Networks with Renewable Energy Sources

Paweł Kelm, Irena Wasiak, Rozmysław Mieński, Andrzej Wędzik, Michał Szypowski, Ryszard Pawełek and Krzysztof Szaniawski
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Paweł Kelm: Institute of Electrical Power Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 20 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-537 Lodz, Poland
Irena Wasiak: Institute of Electrical Power Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 20 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-537 Lodz, Poland
Rozmysław Mieński: Institute of Electrical Power Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 20 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-537 Lodz, Poland
Andrzej Wędzik: Institute of Electrical Power Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 20 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-537 Lodz, Poland
Michał Szypowski: Institute of Electrical Power Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 20 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-537 Lodz, Poland
Ryszard Pawełek: Institute of Electrical Power Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 20 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-537 Lodz, Poland
Krzysztof Szaniawski: Apator S.A., Wolowa 2c, 93-569 Lodz, Poland

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: This paper presents the use of real-time digital simulator (RTDS) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) methods for the validation of an energy management system designed for real low-voltage (LV) distribution networks with a high penetration of renewable energy sources. The system is used to address voltage violations and current overloading issues and allows the network operator to maintain safe and controllable network operations. The applied control strategy and the system software were verified by means of simulations. In this paper, the next stage of system validation using the HIL method is presented. A testbed was designed and developed to test the operation of prototype controllers of the system in flexible and reproducible conditions before installing them in the network. The presented testing platform not only includes the LV network simulator with the power amplifiers needed for closed-loop setup but also additional elements of a real network to which the system is dedicated, i.e., the advanced metering infrastructure, photovoltaic source, and energy storage inverters and load devices. Furthermore, the real cellular network of the distribution network operator is used in the communication between the controllers. In addition, the article contains discussions on communication issues, including limitations related to selected protocols. Finally, examples of the experimental validation of the controller prototypes are presented.

Keywords: controller hardware-in-the-loop simulation; power hardware-in-the-loop simulation; testbed; testing and validation of controllers; DSOs; low-voltage networks; global system for mobile communication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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