Smart Grid Simulation Including Communication Network: A Hardware in the Loop Approach

Harshavardhan Palahalli,Enrico Ragaini,Giambattista Gruosso

doi:10.1109/access.2019.2927821

Abstract

Smart grids are complex electrical systems made up of power devices and communication systems that interact with each other, both locally through measures and generally through the exchange of information on communication networks. In this article, the simulation of a smart grid including the emulation of the communication network behavior together with the physical hardware devices is proposed using hardware-in-the-loop methodology. The original aspect of the technique is related to the fact that the models are generated in a tool that is independent of the real-time simulator using a model-based design approach, and then the code is generated and deployed in a real-time simulator coupled with hardware devices such as low voltage protection units. The proposed framework is used to test the protection coordination that employs the IEC-61850 communication protocol. A test case is shown demonstrating the coordination of switches and the emulation of the PV system in hardware-in-the-loop, focusing on the implementation of the interface algorithm over Ethernet using the UDP communication protocol.

Highlights

The smart grid is a complex system made by power system components, combined with communication network, allowing the distributed control of power grid with the integration of controllers, sensors, and actuators
SIMULATION AND RESULTS A 100 kW PV mathematical model and other DC system is emulated in hardware of platform 2 using script block, at 25◦C, 1000 W/m2 of temperature and irradiance input, it will deliver 100 kW of power to the VSC converter running in another simulator
CB1 and CB2 are connected with intelock/intertrip and protection Generic Object Oriented Substation Events (GOOSE) while CB2 and CB3 are sharing only interlock GOOSE messages

Summary

Introduction

The smart grid is a complex system made by power system components, combined with communication network, allowing the distributed control of power grid with the integration of controllers, sensors, and actuators. The use of these kind of grids is the key factor of the coordination of Renewable energy sources. The availability of virtual test benches, such as digital twins of the grid, can be an useful aid to perform forecasting and validation of algorithms and devices [3], [4]. The requirements of digital twins must be linked to their ability to interface real physical devices at signal or power level and to simulate the system in real

Objectives

Results

Conclusion