Explore the vast range of titles available.

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.

This paper presents a study on the development of a hybrid modeling framework for the optimal operation of microgrids based on renewable energy resources. Accurate prediction of both renewable energy generation and consumer demand is crucial for the efficient management of renewable energy-based microgrids. The proposed hybrid modeling framework integrates a high-resolution physical model for forecasting renewable energy sources (solar and wind), a data-driven model for renewable energy prediction, and a hybrid forecasting model that combines both physical and data-driven approaches. Additionally, the framework incorporates a consumer demand model to further optimize grid operations. In this research, a hybrid prediction model was developed to enhance the accuracy of solar and wind power generation forecasts. The hybrid model leverages the complementary strengths of both physical and data-driven models. When historical data are insufficient, the physical model generates synthetic training data to improve the learning process of the data-driven model. Moreover, in cases where the data-driven model exhibits limited predictive accuracy due to insufficient training data, the physical model provides reliable forecasts, ensuring robust performance under various conditions. When sufficient real-world data are available, the Weighted Inverse Error Weighting (WIEW) strategy is applied to dynamically integrate the outputs of both models, significantly enhancing forecasting accuracy. Furthermore, a digital twin platform was implemented to operate and simulate each model, and a validation system for the digital twin platform and models was established using Software-in-the-Loop Simulation (SILS) and Power Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (PHILS) techniques. This study focuses on the development and validation of a hybrid model designed to improve the accuracy of solar and wind power generation forecasts for renewable energy microgrids.

As stability is one of the most important property of any system, studying it is paramount when performing a power-hardware-in-the-loop simulation in an experimental setup. To guarantee the proper operation of such a system, a thorough understanding of the critical issues regarding the dynamics of the power amplifier, the real-time simulated system and the hardware under test is required. Thus, this paper provides a detailed analysis of the correct design of the real-time simulation modeling for the secure and reliable execution of power-hardware-in-the-loop simulations involving power electronic devices in an experimental setup. Specifically, the stability region of a power-hardware-in-the-loop simulation in an experimental AC microgrid setup involving two parallel three-phase grid-following inverters with LCL filters is studied. Through experimental testing, the stability boundaries of the power-hardware-in-the-loop simulation in the experimental setup is determined, demonstrating a direct relationship between the short-circuit ratio of the utility grid and the cutoff frequency of the feedback current filter. Experimental evidence confirms the capability of the AC microgrid setup to achieve smooth transitions between diverse operating conditions and determine stability boundaries with parameter variations. This research provides practical design guidelines for modeling and the real-time simulation to ensure stability in the power-hardware-in-the-loop simulations in experimental setups involving actual grid-following inverters, specifically using an Opal-RT platform with a voltage-source ideal transformer model and parameter variations in the short-circuit ratio from 2 to 20, the line impedance ratio X/R from 7 to 10, and the feedback-current-filter cutoff frequency from 100 to 1000 kHz.

In this paper, a Damping Impedance Method (DIM)-applied power Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (HILS) test-bed is proposed to test the stability of a Low Voltage DC (LVDC) grid composed of multiple converters. The impedance interaction between the source-side system and load-side system which consists of the LVDC grid is analyzed by the Extra Element Theorem. Furthermore, the stability of the LVDC Grid is assessed by using the Opposing Argument Criterion. Using those analyses, the power HILS test-bed is implemented using the DIM. This approach leverages the CPL characteristics of the load-side system to propose an offline design method for the damping impedance used in the DIM, which can reduce implementation complexity and can obtain an accurate power HILS test-bed. Finally, the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed power HILS test-bed are verified using a 500-W Dual-Active-Bridge converter.

In response to the escalation of environmental issues including global warming due to reckless development, the energy industry has been partaking in measures to improve sustainability of the environment. As an effort to target decarbonization, thermal power generation using fossil fuels is being minimized whilst the generation of renewable energy is gradually being increased. In addition, research on the structure of power distribution systems is steadily on the rise to improve efficiency of energy supply and system reliability. Amongst existing distribution systems, high expectations have been focused on the networked distribution system (NDS) due to multiplex advantages the system possesses. The NDS, a power system of multiple interconnected distribution lines which allow uninterrupted supply of both power and communication, holds the potential of increasing renewable energy capacity, reducing construction of new feeders, expanding electric transport infrastructure capacity, and improving facility utilization rate. In this paper, technologies for the construction of NDS are introduced and strategies to increase future application of the NDS are discussed. Through this, both the validity of the NDS and the direction of the power industry is to be presented.

Since various power sources such as renewable energy and energy storage systems (ESSs) are connected to the DC grid, the reliability of the grid system is significant. However, the configuration of an actual DC grids for testing the reliability of the grid system is inconvenient, expensive and dangerous. In this paper, a test-bed system made up of a 20-kW DC nano grid and a control algorithm considering an external grid based on power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) simulation are proposed to demonstrate the reliability of the DC grid. Using the PHIL simulation technique, target grids can be safely implemented with laboratory-level instruments and simulated by real-time simulators, which emulates grid operations that are similar to the actual grid. In addition, using the proposed control algorithm, the operations of grid-connected converters are demonstrated according to the grid-connected or islanding modes. Finally, the reliability of the simulated DC nano grid and the effectiveness of the grid-connected converter are verified using the PHIL simulation system with 3-kW prototype converters.

The design of modern industrial products is further improved through the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation. Realistic simulation is enabled by the closed loop between the hardware under test (HUT) and real-time simulation. Such a system involves a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and digital signal processor (DSP). An HIL model can bypass serious damage to the real object, reduce debugging cost, and, finally, reduce the comprehensive effort during the testing. This paper provides a historical overview of HIL simulations through different engineering challenges, i.e., within automotive, power electronics systems, and different industrial drives. Various platforms, such as National Instruments, dSPACE, Typhoon HIL, or MATLAB Simulink Real-Time toolboxes and Speedgoat hardware systems, offer a powerful tool for efficient and successful investigations in different fields. Therefore, HIL simulation practice must begin already during the university’s education process to prepare the students for professional engagements in the industry, which was also verified experimentally at the end of the paper.

Power-Hardware-In-the-Loop (PHIL) simulation is an advanced tool for testing of power devices as it is a combination of simulation and hardware testing. Determining the Power-Hardware-In-the-Loop closed-loop stability is an issue of utmost importance in order to safely and repeatedly conduct PHIL experiments. In this paper several methods to determine the stability are presented and compared. These methods include both theoretical stability criteria and dynamic simulation results. Moreover, the two most popular methods for determining the PHIL accuracy from literature are presented and compared.

With the widespread application of Ultra-High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) transmission in power delivery, the demand for stability research on complex systems featuring concentrated DC power sending and feeding has become increasingly prominent. Based on a Real-Time Digital Simulation (RTDS) platform, this paper proposes a hardware-in-the-loop simulation scheme for interconnected multi-UHVDC systems. This scheme aims to enable the coupled operation analysis of multi-DC systems. It provides a research foundation for complex simulation requirements such as renewable energy integration and flexible DC interconnection. The research integrates three heterogeneous RTDS platforms, employing global bus microsecond-level timing synchronization and low-latency IRC optical fiber communication technology to overcome traditional “data silo” limitations and construct a high-fidelity environment for cascading failure analysis. Simultaneously, an innovative multi-scale hybrid modeling method is proposed, effectively circumventing issues like the “curse of dimensionality” and loss of accuracy. Simulation test results demonstrate that the proposed multi-platform interconnection scheme can effectively support transient characteristic analysis of complex AC/DC systems, providing a high-precision tool for transient and steady-state studies of high-density multi-infeed systems. In the future, it can be extended to “double-high” power grid scenarios (characterized by a high proportion of renewables and power electronics) with large-scale renewable energy integration, supporting the safe and stable operation of new power systems.

Nowadays, the power system is evolving into a complex cyber physical system with the closely merged physical system, information system, and communication network. It is critical to understand the connections between the power and cyber systems, and the potential impact of cyber vulnerability. In this study, a flexible hardware‐in‐the‐loop (HIL) testbed is proposed for studying the cyber physical power system. By using the flexible interface, various co‐simulation systems for different purposes are generated. Based on this testbed, three sample co‐simulators are built as proofs. First, a HIL power and communication co‐simulator with non‐real‐time synchronisation mechanism is introduced, and a case of false data injection attack on automation voltage control is studied. Then, a real‐time power and communication HIL co‐simulator is introduced, and a case considering the impact of communication bit error on the stability control system is simulated to demonstrate the performance of stability control equipment. Finally, another co‐simulator for simulating the actual cyber‐attack on the stability control system is introduced, and a case of a man‐in‐the‐middle attack on the data link is simulated to demonstrate the impact of cyber‐attack on the stability control system.