Microreactor Simulation Performance Analysis for Real-Time Hardware-in-the-Loop Testbed
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McConnell, Jono↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “hardware in the loop”
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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Verification of Adaptive Protection in Hardware in the Loop for Coordination with Solar Variability
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Summers, Adam Kelly↗
Hardware-in-the-Loop Validation of Optimal Adaptive Protection for Utility Networked Microgrid Applications
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Kelly, Daniel James [Sandia National Laboratories ↗
Hardware-in-the-loop Testing of Direct Transfer Trip for Network Protector Units in the Presence of Distributed Energy Resources
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Joshi, Milan↗
Controller Verification of a Smart-Grid Compatible 200 kHz Single-stage Photovoltaic Microinverter
This paper presents control system design, implementation, and experimental validation of a single-stage 400 W, 200 kHz solar photovoltaic (PV) microinverter using hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and hardware testing. The selected circuit topology is based on a Gallium Nitride (GaN) direct-matrix based dual active bridge (DAB) converter with a low voltage active power decoupler (APD) circuit. Control performance is verified, smart-grid compatibility is tested, and circuit operation is confirmed. Controller HIL (CHIL) is shown to aid in a complex power electronics system design by 1) enabling detailed control development prior to hardware implementation, 2) expanding the use of automated testing, and 3) increasing confidence in control performance prior to prototype testing. Altogether, these factors make HIL a valuable tool in complex power electronic designs.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
Interconnection and Interoperability Requirements of Hydrogen Assets to Enable Grid Integration
Traditionally, the inverters used for distributed energy resources (DERs) including solar, energy storage and hydrogen fuel cells are grid following assets. Grid following assets track real power and reactive power setpoints decided by either a local autonomous controller or a remote controller like a microgrid controller. In the past five years, multiple challenges have increased the need for grid forming inverters that can interface to a wide variety of energy resources. These grid forming inverters are becoming critical assets for power systems to enable the replacement of existing rotational machines and provide grid services such as grid resiliency services and black-start. Hydrogen assets (fuel cells) have the potential to successfully replace rotating machines and act as voltage and frequency master by leveraging the long-duration and seasonal energy storage capabilities of hydrogen technologies. This poster presents the progress made in budget period 1 of the proposed work. We will leverage an existing ARIES platform experimental setup to run power-hardware-in-the-loop and controller-hardware-in-the-loop experiments with grid forming fuel cell inverters to develop and document the standardization requirements.
electrolyzer↗
Hydrogen Energy Storage System at Borrego Springs Towards an H2 Enabled 100 Renewable Microgrid
San Diego Gas & Electric's Borrego Springs Microgrid is one of the largest microgrids in the USA, serving 2500 residential customers, 300 commercial and industrial customers, and has a peak demand of approximately 14 MW. This microgrid is located at the end of a long transmission line, and is subjected to extreme weather events like storms, wildfires, and flooding, which frequently cause grid outages. The microgrid currently relies on 3.65 MW of diesel-powered generators to provide grid-forming services during these outages, which results in greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions. However, the microgrid has access to approximately 37 MW of installed solar generation and struggles with overgeneration and curtailment. 1.5 MW/4.5 MWh of grid-scale batteries have been installed to capture some the overgeneration and provide resiliency, but a longer-duration low-greenhouse gas emission energy storage solution is needed. In our project, the team will evaluate in the lab and demonstrate in the field a grid-forming fuel cell inverter that can provide grid-forming services while utilizing hydrogen's energy storage scalability. We will first utilize NREL's Renewable Energy Integration and Optimization (REopt) platform to perform analyses on future microgrid scenarios that use hydrogen assets to reduce or eliminate the need for diesel backup generators. We will then evaluate the grid-forming inverter through power hardware-in-the-loop and controller hardware-in-the-loop experiments at ARIES, and de-risk the field deployment and operation of hydrogen assets in the microgrid setting. Finally, this project will demonstrate the operation of the fuel cell inverter and updated microgrid controller by operating in grid-forming mode in the Borrego Springs microgrid.
Borrego Springs↗
Hydrogen Energy Storage System at Borrego Springs Towards an H2 Enabled 100% Renewable Microgrid
San Diego Gas & Electric's Borrego Springs Microgrid is one of the largest microgrids in the USA, serving 2500 residential customers, 300 commercial and industrial customers, and has a peak demand of approximately 14 MW. This microgrid is located at the end of a long transmission line, and is subjected to extreme weather events like storms, wildfires, and flooding, which frequently cause grid outages. The microgrid currently relies on 3.65 MW of diesel-powered generators to provide grid-forming services during these outages, which results in greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions. However, the microgrid has access to approximately 37 MW of installed solar generation and struggles with overgeneration and curtailment. 1.5 MW/4.5 MWh of grid-scale batteries have been installed to capture some the overgeneration and provide resiliency, but a longer-duration low-greenhouse gas emission energy storage solution is needed. In our project, the team will evaluate in the lab and demonstrate in the field a grid-forming fuel cell inverter that can provide grid-forming services while utilizing hydrogen's energy storage scalability. We will first utilize NREL's Renewable Energy Integration and Optimization (REopt) platform to perform analyses on future microgrid scenarios that use hydrogen assets to reduce or eliminate the need for diesel backup generators. We will then evaluate the grid-forming inverter through power hardware-in-the-loop and controller hardware-in-the-loop experiments at ARIES, and de-risk the field deployment and operation of hydrogen assets in the microgrid setting. Finally, this project will demonstrate the operation of the fuel cell inverter and updated microgrid controller by operating in grid-forming mode in the Borrego Springs microgrid.
blackstart with fuel cells↗
Validation of Interconnection and Interoperability of Grid-Forming Inverters Sourced by Hydrogen Technologies in View of 100% Renewable Microgrids
Grid-forming assets are required in microgrids to act as voltage-frequency masters. These grid-forming assets can operate in two modes of operation: grid-following mode and grid-forming mode. In grid-following mode of operation, these assets will follow real power and reactive power setpoints and in grid-forming mode of operation these assets will follow voltage and frequency setpoints. Traditionally, diesel generators or natural gas-based generators are widely used to act as a voltage-frequency master. However, many utilities are aiming to replace generators with grid forming-inverters supplied by solar photovoltaics (PV), batteries or fuel cells. Since grid-forming assets need a long-term reliable energy source, fuel cells are a reasonable and viable choice to supply the grid-forming inverters, but some of the challenges facing the wide deployment of grid-forming fuel cell inverters need to be addressed. Specifically, in our proposed work, we aim to focus on the interconnection and interoperability requirements of grid-forming fuel cell inverters. Currently, state-of-the-art fuel cell inverters follow the general interconnection requirements of distributed energy resources (DERs) and general interoperability requirements of DERs, but these requirements were built with PV and battery systems in mind. Fuel cells have different operational requirements, and therefore these requirements need to be appropriately modified for the grid operators to use. These additional steps add to the investment and operational cost to the grid operators. Through the ARIES platform, this proposed project aims to bridge this gap and use power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) and controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) experiments to inform the creation of open-source interconnection and interoperability information that can aid in faster and cheaper installation and operation of grid-forming fuel cell inverters.
controller hardware-in-the-loop↗
Advanced grid-forming (GFM) inverter controls, modeling and system impact study for inverter dominated grids
Our main goals in this project are to understand: 1) the stability of the power system with very high penetration of PV or other inverter-based resources (IBR), 2) the interactions among IBRs and traditional generators, and 3) the impact of the GFM inverters on bulk power system. To achieve these goals, we took a holistic research and development approach. First, an impedance-based large system modeling and stability analysis tool was developed to aid the large IBR system small-signal stability analysis. Second, consensus-based control and transient overload ride through were developed to control and coordinate multiple GFM inverters in a large system to maintain transient stability during big grid events. Third, high fidelity electromagnetic transient (EMT) IBR models were developed and integrated into a large reduced WECC model to study the system impact from IBRs. Lastly, extensive validation tests of the GFM control which was developed in this project and implemented in two 1MW commercial solar inverters were performed using different validation platforms, e.g., control hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) platform, power hardware- in-the-loop (PHIL) platform, and a real PV plant.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
Probing Signal-Based Inertia and Frequency Response Estimation for Power Systems With High Levels of Inverter-Based Resources
Power system inertia is the inherent capability of a power system to resist changes in its frequency during disturbances. Real-time inertia estimation technology has become more important due to the low-inertia issues caused by the increasing integration levels of inverter-based resources (IBRs) from renewable energy; however, existing inertia estimation methods hardly consider multiple frequency response controls that act within the same time frame as conventional inertial response, thus making measured inertia values vary under different testing conditions. To resolve this issue, this paper proposes a novel real-time estimation method to simultaneously estimate a power system's inertia constant and frequency response droop constant using a well-designed probing signal. First, we formulate the inertia and frequency response model of a power system with IBRs. Second, through the integration and manipulation of the developed model, we propose a multivariate linear regression-based estimation method that is resilient to measurement noise. Third, we design a probing signal that can be injected by IBRs to incite the required transients for estimation. Finally, we validate the proposed estimation method through comprehensive power-hardware-in-the-loop experiments using inverter hardware and a realistic island power system model. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can accurately estimate the inertia and droop value of the power system with grid-following IBRs and grid-forming IBRs with virtual synchronous machine control.
frequency response↗
Probing Signal-Based Inertia and Frequency Response Estimation for Power Systems with High Penetration of Inverter-Based Resources: Preprint
Power system inertia is the inherent capability of a power system to resist changes in its frequency during disturbances. Real-time inertia estimation technology has become more important due to the low-inertia issues caused by the increasing integration levels of inverter-based resources (IBRs) from renewable energy; however, existing inertia estimation methods hardly consider multiple frequency response controls that act within the same time frame as conventional inertial response, thus making measured inertia values vary under different testing conditions. To resolve this issue, this paper proposes a novel real-time estimation method to simultaneously estimate a power system's inertia constant and frequency response droop constant using a well-designed probing signal. First, we formulate the inertia and frequency response model of a power system with IBRs. Second, through the integration and manipulation of the developed model, we propose a multivariate linear regression- based estimation method that is resilient to measurement noise. Third, we design a probing signal that can be injected by IBRs to incite the required transients for estimation. Finally, we validate the proposed estimation method through comprehensive power- hardware-in-the-loop experiments using inverter hardware and a realistic island power system model. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can accurately estimate the inertia and droop value of the power system with grid-following IBRs and grid-forming IBRs with virtual synchronous machine control.
frequency response↗
Platform to Evaluate DER and Microgrid Controls for Successful Field Deployment
This presentation provides an overview of NLR's megawatt-scale controller-hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) and power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) platforms to evaluate distributed energy resource and microgrid controls for successful field deployment.
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
Integrated Hydrogen Energy System Testing/Validation: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-21-18272
Through the ARIES platform, this proposed project aims to bridge a gap and utilize the power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) and controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) experiments and create open-source interconnection and interoperability information that can aid in faster and cheaper installation and operation of grid forming fuel cell inverters.
08 HYDROGEN↗
Validation of Interconnection and Interoperability of Grid-Forming Inverters Sourced by Hydrogen Technologies in View of 100% Renewable Microgrids
Grid-forming assets are required in microgrids to act as voltage-frequency masters. These grid-forming assets can operate in two modes of operation: grid-following mode and grid-forming mode. In grid-following mode of operation, these assets will follow real power and reactive power setpoints and in grid-forming mode of operation these assets will follow voltage and frequency setpoints. Traditionally, diesel generators or natural gas-based generators are widely used to act as a voltage-frequency master. However, many utilities are aiming to replace generators with grid forming-inverters supplied by solar photovoltaics (PV), batteries or fuel cells. Since grid-forming assets need a long-term reliable energy source, fuel cells are a reasonable and viable choice to supply the grid-forming inverters, but some of the challenges facing the wide deployment of grid-forming fuel cell inverters need to be addressed. Specifically, in our proposed work, we aim to focus on the interconnection and interoperability requirements of grid-forming fuel cell inverters. Currently, state-of-the-art fuel cell inverters follow the general interconnection requirements of distributed energy resources (DERs) and general interoperability requirements of DERs, but these requirements were built with PV and battery systems in mind. Fuel cells have different operational requirements, and therefore these requirements need to be appropriately modified for the grid operators to use. These additional steps add to the investment and operational cost to the grid operators. Through the ARIES platform, this proposed project aims to bridge this gap and use power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) and controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) experiments to inform the creation of open-source interconnection and interoperability information that can aid in faster and cheaper installation and operation of grid-forming fuel cell inverters.
grid-forming↗
A CHIL Validation of Machine Learning-Assisted Methods for Real-Time Controls of Solar PV for Grid Services
Recent research has highlighted the potential for solar to act as a zero-marginal-cost and zero-emission flexibility resource on the bulk power system when operated with advanced control systems. To increase the performance of these systems, leading technologies, including machine learning (ML) and hierarchical inverter set point allocation, have been proposed; however, these technologies lack comprehensive validation under real-world application scenarios. This paper addresses this gap by designing and developing a controller-hardware-in-the-loop framework to evaluate the performance of different flexible solar technologies in responding to automatic generation control signals in a closed-loop fashion. Simulation results indicate the superior performance of an ML-based approach compared to the conventional reference-control grouping-based approach, showcasing its potential to support grid stability and operational efficiency.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
Evaluating the Feasibility of Transactive Approach for Voltage Management Using Inverters of a PV Plant
This article evaluates the feasibility of a double-auction-based Transactive Energy System (TES) for engaging the reactive power (Var) capability of inverters in a utility-scale pho¬tovoltaic (PV) plant for voltage management in distribution feed¬ers. In this approach, a PV plant owner (seller) provides Var supply curves in terms of price-quantity pairs consider¬ing the inverters’ P-Q capability, efficiency, opportunity cost for real power curtail¬ment, losses, etc. At the same time, the utility (buyer) proposes Var demand curves in price-quantity pairs exhibiting the marginal price of Var. Then, market clearing points are obtained from the intersection points of supply and demand curves which are then used to create Var dispatch sig-nals from the PV plant. To conduct a fea¬sibility study of this approach, an Australian distribution network with a utility-scale PV plant (capacity 3.275 MWP) is modeled in RSCAD and simu¬lated in real-time on MATLAB, RSCAD-RTDS co-simulation platform using real historical data. Consid¬ering a use case, namely, conservation voltage reduction (CVR), the operational feasibility along with cost-benefit analysis is demonstrated in software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform. Another use case, exploring the benefit from tap-change reduction of step-voltage-regulator, is investigated. These studies explore further use cases, e.g., PV hosting capacity, network reconfiguration, etc., to be incorporated in TES for experiencing substantial economic benefits.
Alam, Mollah Rezaul↗
Developing an Energy-Conscious Traffic Signal Control System for Optimized Fuel Consumption in Connected Vehicle Environments
The project titled “Developing an Energy-Conscious Traffic Signal Control System for Optimized Fuel Consumption in Connected Vehicle Environments” addresses energy-related challenges associated with adaptive traffic control systems by integrating connected vehicles (CV) and connected infrastructure (CI). The system developed in this project, a CV-based adaptive traffic control system, aims to improve fuel consumption in mixed traffic environments by capitalizing on emerging CV and CI communication technologies, as well as leveraging recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), optimization, and edge computing. The system was tested at the MLK Smart Corridor, an urban testbed managed by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and the City of Chattanooga. The system was validated through extensive simulations, both Software-in-the-Loop (SILS) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HILS), and was further implemented and tested in real-world conditions at several intersections along the corridor. The Fuel Consumption Performance Index (FC-PI) and the Ecological Performance Index (Eco-PI) were developed as the key components for evaluating the system’s impact on fuel consumption and emissions. These metrics provided a comprehensive means of understanding the impact of traffic signal control optimization in mixed traffic environments. The report presents an in-depth analysis of the Eco-PI, FC-PI, adaptive traffic control system integration, and the testing and field implementation of the system. The results demonstrate significant reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, showcasing the system’s capability to contribute to more sustainable urban traffic management. The report also documents the challenges encountered and recommendations for scaling and further improving the system.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗