Accelerated Real-Time Simulations for Testing a Reactive Power Flow Controller in Long-Term Case Studies

Abstract

This paper presents the development of an accelerated real-time cosimulation and testing platform, especially for long-term simulations of power systems. The platform is planned to be utilized in the development and testing of active network management functions for microgrids and smart grids. Long-term simulations are needed in order to study, for example, the potential weekly, monthly, or yearly usage of distribution-network-connected distributed energy resources for different technical flexibility services. In order to test new algorithms in long-term study cases, real-time simulations or hardware-in-the-loop tests should be accelerated. This paper analyzes the possibilities and challenges of accelerated long-term simulations in studying the potential use of a large-scale wind turbine for reactive power flow control between distribution system operator (DSO) and transmission system operator (TSO) networks. To this end, the reactive power flow control is studied for different voltage levels (HV and MV) in the Sundom Smart Grid in Vaasa, Finland. The control of reactive power flow between HV and MV networks is realized with a reactive power window control algorithm for a 3.6 MW MV-network-connected wind turbine with a full-scale power converter. The behaviour of the reactive power controller during long-term simulations is studied by offline and real-time simulations. Moreover, the real-time simulations are performed with both software-in-the-loop and controller-hardware-in-the-loop.

Real-Time Testing Optimal Power Flow in Smart-Transformer-Based Meshed Hybrid Microgrids: Design and Validation

“…where δ kl = δ k − δ l . The active and reactive power balance is presented according to ( 17) and (18).…”

“…According to the information reported in Table 1, it is observed that the HILS method is typically used for analysis under a transient approach considering detailed or switched models. In most cases where a long-term analysis is considered, equivalent models are developed to reduce the computational load [18]; however, some works present hybrid models, switched models in the lower control layers, and equivalent models for long-term system management [29]. On the other hand, it is identified that the DRTS approach presents good performance in both switched models and equivalent models, in addition to the functionalities presented about the steady-state analysis of the system, mainly for longterm analysis for optimal power flow.…”

Evolution of the Electricity Distribution Networks—Active Management Architecture Schemes and Microgrid Control Functionalities

“…MV: Generally, for managing the voltage within the permitted limits, reactive power is controlled via on-load-tap-changers (OLTC) of the primary transformer. Additionally, in this phase, the reactive power flow from the full-scale converter of the large-scale WT (3.6 MW) owned by a DG partner is controlled for the DSO's ASs [78,79].…”

Compliance of Distribution System Reactive Flows with Transmission System Requirements

“…The reactive power software controller development and implementation into the lightweight Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) microcontroller, based on IEC61850 GOOSE, and testing the IED in the real-time Controller Hardware-In-the-Loop (CHIL) platform are presented in [17,18]. The potential of accelerating the long-term simulation and CHIL testing is beneficial to the developing the DER controls for AS provision and is demonstrated in [19]. In all of these papers, the reactive power controllers were operating according to the last measurements of active and reactive power at the POI.…”