학술논문

A Smart and Flexible Microgrid With a Low-Cost Scalable Open-Source Controller
Document Type
Periodical
Source
IEEE Access Access, IEEE. 9:162214-162230 2021
Subject
Aerospace
Bioengineering
Communication, Networking and Broadcast Technologies
Components, Circuits, Devices and Systems
Computing and Processing
Engineered Materials, Dielectrics and Plasmas
Engineering Profession
Fields, Waves and Electromagnetics
General Topics for Engineers
Geoscience
Nuclear Engineering
Photonics and Electrooptics
Power, Energy and Industry Applications
Robotics and Control Systems
Signal Processing and Analysis
Transportation
Testing
Switches
Microgrids
Resilience
Load modeling
Hardware
Tools
CompactRIO
dynamic boundary
hardware-in-the-loop
hardware testbed
IEEE 2030.7
IEEE 2030.8
microgrid
microgrid design
OPAL-RT
Language
ISSN
2169-3536
Abstract
In contrast with conventional microgrids (MGs) with fixed boundaries, a smart and flexible MG with dynamic boundary is introduced in this paper. Such a MG can dynamically change its boundary by picking up or shedding load sections of a distribution feeder depending on its available power, leading to more flexible operation, better utilization of renewables, smaller size of energy storage system, higher reliability, and lower cost. To achieve a flexible MG, the main challenges in MG design are addressed, including recloser placement, MG asset sizing considering resilience, system grounding design, and protection system design. Meanwhile, a hierarchical structure is employed to design and implement the MG controller. On top of the functions defined in IEEE 2030.7-2018, a few new functions, e.g., online topology identification and PQ balance, are added, while the planned/unplanned islanding and reconnection functions are enhanced. The controller is implemented on a CompactRIO, a general-purpose hardware platform provided by National Instruments (NI), and tested on a controller hardware-in-the-loop setup based on an OPAL-RT real-time simulator and a reconfigurable power electronic converter-based hardware testbed. The test results have validated the performance of the developed controllers. Such a flexible MG and its controller have been deployed at a municipal utility, and part of the controller’s functions have been tested on-site.