scholarly journals A Review of PHIL Testing for Smart Grids—Selection Guide, Classification and Online Database Analysis

Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 382
Author(s):  
Eduardo García-Martínez ◽  
José Francisco Sanz ◽  
Jesús Muñoz-Cruzado ◽  
Juan Manuel Perié

The Smart Grid is one of the most important solutions to boost electricity sharing from renewable energy sources. Its implementation adds new functionalities to power systems, which increases the electric grid complexity. To ensure grid stability and security, systems need flexible methods in order to be tested in a safe and economical way. A promising test technique is Power Hardware-In-the-Loop (PHIL), which combines the flexibility of Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) technique with power exchange. However, the acquisition of PHIL components usually represents a great expense for laboratories and, therefore, the setting up of the experiment involves making hard decisions. This paper provides a complete guideline and useful new tools for laboratories in order to set PHIL facilities up efficiently. First, a PHIL system selection guide is presented, which describes the selection process steps and the main system characteristics needed to perform a PHIL test. Furthermore, a classification proposal containing the desirable information to be obtained from a PHIL test paper for reproducibility purposes is given. Finally, this classification was used to develop a PHIL test online database, which was analysed, and the main gathered information with some use cases and conclusions are shown.

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 2062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dante Ruiz-Robles ◽  
Jorge Ortíz-Marín ◽  
Vicente Venegas-Rebollar ◽  
Edgar L. Moreno-Goytia ◽  
David Granados-Lieberman ◽  
...  

High performance, highly efficient DC-DC converters play a key role in improving the penetration of renewable energy sources in the context of smart grids in applications such as solid-state transformers, built-in power drives in electric vehicles and interfacing photovoltaic and wind-power systems. Advanced medium-frequency transformers (MFTs) are fundamental to enhance DC-DC converters and determining its behavior, therefore MFT design procedures have become increasingly important in this context. This paper investigates which type of core material, between nanocrystalline and silicon steel, has the best properties for designing MFTs for distinct applications. Unlike to other proposals, in this work, two 1 kVA-120 V/240 V-1 kHz lab MFT prototypes, with a different type of core material, are developed for the purpose of comparing its physical characteristics, behavior, and performance under real-life conditions. A final section, the experimental results show that the nanocrystalline MFT has greater power density and efficiency. The results of this work introduce nanocrystalline MFTs as an option in a wider range of applications in niches in which other materials are currently used.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Sodin ◽  
Rajne Ilievska ◽  
Andrej Čampa ◽  
Miha Smolnikar ◽  
Urban Rudez

It is widely recognized that in the transition from conventional electrical power systems (EPSs) towards smart grids, electrical voltage frequency will be greatly affected. This is why this research is extremely valuable, especially since rate-of-change-of-frequency (RoCoF) is often considered as a potential means of resolving newly arisen problems, but is often challenged in practice due to the noise and its oscillating character. In this paper, the authors further developed and tested one of the new technologies related to under-frequency load shedding (UFLS) protection. Since the basic idea was to enhance the selected technology’s readiness level, a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) setup with an RTDS was assembled. The under-frequency technology was implemented in an intelligent electronic device (IED) and included in the HIL setup. The IED acted as one of several protection devices, representing a last-resort system protection scheme. All main contributions of this research deal with using RoCoF in an innovative UFLS scheme under test: (i) appropriate selection and parameterization of RoCoF filtering techniques does not worsen under-frequency load shedding during fast-occurring events, (ii) locally measured RoCoF can be effectively used for bringing a high level of flexibility to a system-wide scheme, and (iii) diversity of relays and RoCoF-measuring techniques is an advantage, not a drawback.


Author(s):  
Isidro Fraga Hurtado ◽  
Julio Rafael Gómez Sarduy ◽  
Percy Rafael Viego Felipe ◽  
Vladimir Sousa Santos ◽  
Enrique Ciro Quispe Oqueña

Smart grids can be considered as a concept that integrates electrical, automatic control, information, and communication technologies. This concept constitutes a fundamental complement in the integration of renewable energy sources in electrical power systems. Although its application is fundamentally framed in transmission and distribution networks, it could also be implemented in industrial electrical systems. This article aims to analyze the advantages of implementing solutions based on smart grids in the industrial sector. Likewise, the results of its implementation in the large industry in the province of Cienfuegos, Cuba are presented. Specifically, reactive compensation, voltage, and demand management controls were integrated into a Supervision, Control, and Data Acquisition system forming a smart grid. It is shown that, in industries where infrastructure and equipment conditions exist, it is possible to successfully implement solutions with the functionalities and benefits inherent to smart grids.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 2605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodríguez-García ◽  
Ribó-Pérez ◽  
Álvarez-Bel ◽  
Peñalvo-López

A transition to a sustainable energy system is essential. In this context, smart grids represent the future of power systems for efficiently integrating renewable energy sources and active consumer participation. Recently, different studies were performed that defined the conceptual architecture of power systems and their agents. However, these conceptual architectures do not overcome all issues for the development of new electricity markets. Thus, a novel conceptual architecture is proposed. The transactions of energy, operation services, and economic flows among the agents proposed are carefully analysed. In this regard, the results allow setting their activities’ boundaries and state their relationships with electricity markets. The suitability of implementing local electricity markets is studied to enforce competition among distributed energy resources by unlocking all the potential that active consumers have. The proposed architecture is designed to offer flexibility and efficiency to the system thanks to a clearly defined way for the exploitation of flexible resources and distributed generation. This upgraded architecture hereby proposed establishes the characteristics of each agent in the forthcoming markets and studies to overcome the barriers to the large deployment of renewable energy sources.


Author(s):  
Valeria Olivieri ◽  
Maurizio Delfanti ◽  
Luca Lo Schiavo

Abstract The integration of Dispersed Generation (DG) is by far the most important and challenging issue that modern power systems are facing nowadays, and is the only way of exploiting Renewable Energy Sources (RES) for electric production. This revolution is running particularly fast in Europe, where significant incentive schemes have been promoted by many Member States in order to match the targets decided by the European institutions. As a consequence of the important share of RES already connected (especially to low voltage and medium voltage networks), new technical challenges have to be faced both at a distribution network level and at a transmission system level. Some of these challenges are covered by Smart grids that represent a new framework for improved management of distribution and transmission networks with attention to interoperability, security, resilience problems, and quality of service (QoS). It is recognized that an intelligent use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as enabling technology, is the only approach able to solve new problems arising on energy networks due to larger DG penetration, without hindering system security and QoS.The paper focuses on the Italian case and in particular on the Italian regulatory framework for developing Smart Grids, and describes the technical foundations of the regulatory innovations introduced by the Italian energy regulatory authority (Autorità per l’energia elettrica e il gas - AEEG). After a selection process based on cost/benefit assessment, some demonstration projects for Smart Grid proposed by Distribution System Operators have been awarded with special capital cost remuneration (extra WACC of 2% for 12 years, on top of the ordinary WACC equal to 7% for distribution investments). The smart grid demonstration projects founded by AEEG introduce and test a new advanced management of DG in order to avoid the problems coming from reverse power flowing and maintain the necessary level of security, availability and quality of service.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 7994
Author(s):  
Vasileios M. Laitsos ◽  
Dimitrios Bargiotas ◽  
Aspassia Daskalopulu ◽  
Athanasios Ioannis Arvanitidis ◽  
Lefteri H. Tsoukalas

The growing demand for electricity runs counter to European-level goals, which include activities aimed at sustainable development and environmental protection. In this context, efficient consumption of electricity attracts much research interest nowadays. One environment friendly solution to meet increased demand lies in the deployment of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in the network and in mobilizing the active participation of consumers in reducing the peak of demand, thus smoothing the overall load curve. This paper addresses the issue of efficient and economical use of electricity from the Demand Side Management (DSM) perspective and presents an implementation of a fully-parameterized and explicitly constrained incentive-based demand response program The program uses the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm and demonstrates the potential advantages of integrating RES while supporting two-way communication between energy production and consumption and two-way power exchange between the main grid and the RES.


Technologies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Assante ◽  
Clemente Capasso ◽  
Ottorino Veneri

In this paper, a new learning tool is proposed to train professional figures, such as entrepreneurs, engineers, and technicians, who need to improve their skills in the field of Internet of Energy. The proposed tool aims to cover the lack of experimental knowledge on new energy systems and to layer proper skills, which are useful to deal with challenges required by smart energy management in the new complex distributed configuration of the electric power systems, characterized by demand response services. This tool is based on a small-scale laboratory demonstrator, representative of a smart rural house, equipped with a measurement and control system. This demonstrator can be remotely accessed, through web server applications based on a low cost single-board computer. Trainers can have direct experience on the main concepts related to smart grids, renewable energy sources, electrochemical storage systems, and electric vehicles, through the use of the proposed tool managed by the web software interface.


2020 ◽  
pp. 28-37
Author(s):  
Oleksandra V. Kubatko ◽  
Diana O. Yaryomenko ◽  
Mykola O. Kharchenko ◽  
Ismail Y. A. Almashaqbeh

Interruptions in electricity supply may have a series of failures that can affect banking, telecommunications, traffic, and safety sectors. Due to the two-way interactive abilities, Smart Grid allows consumers to automatically redirect on failure, or shut down of the equipment. Smart Grid technologies are the costly ones; however, due to the mitigation of possible problems, they are economically sound. Smart grids can't operate without smart meters, which may easily transmit real-time power consumption data to energy data centers, helping the consumer to make effective decisions about how much energy to use and at what time of day. Smart Grid meters do allow the consumer to track and reduce energy consumption bills during peak hours and increase the corresponding consumption during minimum hours. At a higher level of management (e.g., on the level of separate region or country), the Smart Grid distribution system operators have the opportunity to increase the reliability of power supply primarily by detecting or preventing emergencies. Ukraine's energy system is currently outdated and cannot withstand current loads. High levels of wear of the main and auxiliary equipment of the power system and uneven load distribution in the network often lead to emergencies and power outages. The Smart Grid achievements and energy sustainability are also related to the energy trilemma, which consists of key core dimensions– Energy Security, Energy Equity, and Environmental Sustainability. To be competitive in the world energy market, the country has to organize efficiently the cooperation of public/private actors, governments, economic and social agents, environmental issues, and individual consumer behaviors. Ukraine gained 61 positions out of 128 countries in a list in 2019 on the energy trilemma index. In general, Ukraine has a higher than average energy security position and lower than average energy equity, and environmental sustainability positions. Given the fact that the number of renewable energy sources is measured in hundreds and thousands, network management is complicated and requires a Smart Grid rapid response. Keywords: economic development, Smart Grid, electricity supply, economic and environmental efficiency.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3274
Author(s):  
Jose Rueda Torres ◽  
Zameer Ahmad ◽  
Nidarshan Veera Kumar ◽  
Elyas Rakhshani ◽  
Ebrahim Adabi ◽  
...  

Future electrical power systems will be dominated by power electronic converters, which are deployed for the integration of renewable power plants, responsive demand, and different types of storage systems. The stability of such systems will strongly depend on the control strategies attached to the converters. In this context, laboratory-scale setups are becoming the key tools for prototyping and evaluating the performance and robustness of different converter technologies and control strategies. The performance evaluation of control strategies for dynamic frequency support using fast active power regulation (FAPR) requires the urgent development of a suitable power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) setup. In this paper, the most prominent emerging types of FAPR are selected and studied: droop-based FAPR, droop derivative-based FAPR, and virtual synchronous power (VSP)-based FAPR. A novel setup for PHIL-based performance evaluation of these strategies is proposed. The setup combines the advanced modeling and simulation functions of a real-time digital simulation platform (RTDS), an external programmable unit to implement the studied FAPR control strategies as digital controllers, and actual hardware. The hardware setup consists of a grid emulator to recreate the dynamic response as seen from the interface bus of the grid side converter of a power electronic-interfaced device (e.g., type-IV wind turbines), and a mockup voltage source converter (VSC, i.e., a device under test (DUT)). The DUT is virtually interfaced to one high-voltage bus of the electromagnetic transient (EMT) representation of a variant of the IEEE 9 bus test system, which has been modified to consider an operating condition with 52% of the total supply provided by wind power generation. The selected and programmed FAPR strategies are applied to the DUT, with the ultimate goal of ascertaining its feasibility and effectiveness with respect to the pure software-based EMT representation performed in real time. Particularly, the time-varying response of the active power injection by each FAPR control strategy and the impact on the instantaneous frequency excursions occurring in the frequency containment periods are analyzed. The performed tests show the degree of improvements on both the rate-of-change-of-frequency (RoCoF) and the maximum frequency excursion (e.g., nadir).


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