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

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. INDEX TERMS Co-simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, MATLAB-Simulink, model based design, PV system, protection devices, real-time simulation, smart grid.

Hardware in the Loop Platform for Testing Photovoltaic System Control

“…The HIL system developed in this study simulates the PVS with integration times of 10 µs, this timing, although turning out to be longer compared to the studies developed in commercial platforms, is similar to the results obtained in research reported in the literature; [32] obtains simulation periods between 1.1 and 19.9 ms, [43] reports periods of 20 µs, the platform developed by [46] presents periods of 5 µs, in the study by [44] results for this 10 µs variable are reported, [47] reports periods between 200 ns and 2 µs, in [42] a period of 1 ms is used and finally [40,41] report periods of 50 µs. On the other hand, if the response of the PVSE presented in Figure 22 is analyzed as a first order system, it would have a time constant of approximately 990 microseconds, which means that with the integration time of the PVS around 99 values are calculated for the output for each time constant, allowing to emulate a continuous signal.…”

“…Ref. [46] uses an arrangement with cRIO, FPGAs and a processor to simulate a MG that includes a PVS, achieving simulation steps of around 5 µs. Ref.…”

“…These studies demonstrate that it is possible to develop a HIL platform using generic software, resulting in integration times similar to those obtained with commercial platforms dedicated to HIL. The HIL platform presented in this investigation uses an integration time of 10 µs that is similar to those reported in [40,41,[43][44][45][46][47] and less than the one reported in [42], allowing the system output to resemble a continuous curve calculating up to 99 values for each time constant of the system response. Furthermore, when comparing the proposed platform with [41,43,44,47], there is the advantage of being a more economic option when reproducing similar results.…”

Power systems automation, communication, and information technologies for smart grid: A technical aspects review

“…The end-user premises enabled by HAN mainly implements AMI and demand response. For coordinating smart meter for its monitoring purposes, HAN deploys various wireless technologies like Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) and ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4) [73]. Wired solutions may include the use of Ethernet and PLC.…”

FPGA Prototyping Using the STEMlab Board With Application on Frequency Response Analysis of Electric Machinery

“…Due to this characteristic, FPGAs have been employed to perform cosimulation in Real-Time Simulators. A co-simulation can be defined as the division of a complex mathematical model to be simulated synchronously in different hardwares [6]. Realtime simulators are any machine capable of solving the model equations at the same time-step of the real-world system being simulated [7].…”