Real-Time Validation of Power Flow Control Method for Enhanced Operation of Microgrids

Hossein Abedini, Tommaso Caldognetto, Paolo Mattavelli and Paolo Tenti
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Hossein Abedini: Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova, 36100 Vicenza, Italy
Tommaso Caldognetto: Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova, 36100 Vicenza, Italy
Paolo Mattavelli: Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova, 36100 Vicenza, Italy
Paolo Tenti: Interdepartmental Centre Giorgio Levi Cases, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 22, 1-19

Abstract: This paper describes a control methodology for electronic power converters distributed in low-voltage microgrids and its implementation criteria in general microgrid structures. In addition, a real-time simulation setup is devised, implemented, and discussed to validate the control operation in a benchmark network. Considering these key aspects, it is shown that operational constraints regarding the power delivered by sources, flowing through network branches, and exchanged at the point of connection with the main grid can generally be fulfilled by the presented control approach. The control is performed considering a cost function aiming at optimizing various operation indexes, including distribution losses, current stresses on feeders, voltage deviations. The control system allows an enhanced operation of the microgrid, specifically, it allows dynamic and accurate power flow control enabling the provision of ancillary services to the upstream grid, like the demand–response, by exploiting the available infrastructure and the energy resources. Then, the validation of the approach is reported by using a real-time simulation setup with accurate models of the power electronic converters and related local controllers, of the grid infrastructure, of the power flow controller, and of the communication network used for data exchange. It is also shown that the implemented platform allows to fully reproduce, analyze, and finally validate all the relevant steady-state and dynamic behaviors related in the considered scenario.

Keywords: demand–response; distributed electronic power converters; optimal power sharing; power flow control; real-time simulations (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: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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