Microgrid Model Instantiation and Validation
Develop and validate microgrid models in a controlled, multi-level fidelity cyber-physical testbed, with controls, protection, and associated cyber communications.
PI: Aditya ashok, aditya.ashok@pnnl.gov
This project aims to establish a high-fidelity testbed environment for modeling and simulating a single microgrid all the way up to a network of microgrids along with baseline controls, protection, and associated cyber communication. This is an important activity because accurately modeling and simulating the various power-electronics-based DERs and loads in a microgrid is critical to adequately capturing their behaviors over a wide range of off-normal conditions, as well as to evaluate the resilience of the system using the developed controls.
In FY 2021, the project procured a set of new capabilities—including power hardware-in-the-loop (PHiL), microgrid controllers, an increased power grid simulator, an electric vehicle, a supply equipment simulator, and a data acquisition system—and integrated them with existing PNNL laboratory experimentation systems. Using these integrated tools, the project implemented and performed initial validation on the IEEE 123-node test feeder model with DER components and dynamic loads.
Finally, the project performed initial investigations into how to estimate computational capabilities for real-time simulators and identified potential approaches for segmenting and balancing the model to create large-scale distribution feeder models.
In FY 2022, the project will further validate the implemented 123-node feeder model and then use that model to execute experiments to generate datasets to study resilience and support Thrust 2 project development and prototyping. In addition, the project will leverage what it learned from this year to develop automation scripts to convert existing GridLAB-D 9500 node1 test feeder models into higher-fidelity experimentation platform models. This will include selecting and testing modeling decoupling points. The project will also test integrations of PHiL components in the microgrid models, including the PNNL Systems Engineering Building (SEB) Building Energy Storage System and building control testbeds. The 9500-node model will be validated and used to generate initial datasets.
- Goal I: Complete experiments on the integrated IEEE 123-node feeder model.
- Goal II: Run PHiL experiments with SEB Battery Energy Storage System and SEB Annex mapped in the IEEE 123-node feeder.
- Goal III: Implement and validate the IEEE 9500-node feeder model in the PNNL laboratory experimentation capabilities.
1 Currently, there is not an IEEE 9500-node test system or model. There is an 8500-node test system, and PNNL staff are leading an effort to extend it toward a 9500-node model.