Testbed for interaction analysis of energy systems and components in the low voltage domain

Abstract:
The complexity of electrical grids increases by new generation, storage and load systems and their interactions. This is a great challenge for manufacturers and grid operators. Unwanted consequences like reduced service life and uncontrollable system states could arise because of interactions of such systems. The Fraunhofer IOSB-AST is going to systematically investigate these interactions for the low voltage domain by the use of a Hardware-in-the-loop-Simulator (HIL-Simulator). The purpose is to test systems and components for interactions before integrating them into an existing electrical grid. The testbed consists of a HIL-computer, a real-time simulation suite, a power amplifier system and a power quality measurement. This system integration testing for new technical components will be done based on a self-developed procedure model. Previously, a software simulation regarding the test object and the system environment will be done to prepare the integration testing. After that, the possible combinations of voltage and current phenomenon, which arises from the network topology, would be generated by the use of scenario technology and then transferred to the HIL-Simulator. Finally, results of an exemplary test object will be analyzed to show how interactions will be generated and to what extent will interactions disturb or destroy operation of test object. Therefore, a cause analysis can be carried out over the simulation domain. This proposed procedure model and methods should ensure an efficient and undisturbed integration of latest systems into existing infrastructures. Exemplary analysis with the help of the HIL-simulator and the proposed procedure model provide the opportunity to detect and study unstable system states and then transferring them into better system design and guidelines.