A Benchmark System for Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing of Distributed Energy Resources

In order to overcome challenges associated with the integration of distributed energy resources (DER) into state-of-the-art and future power grids, a common basis for testing using appropriate benchmark systems is required. Real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation has proven to be an advanced and efficient tool for the analysis and validation of electric power systems and DER components. However, a common methodology for HIL testing of DER along with the required set of reference systems has not yet been developed. This task-force paper proposes a benchmark system for HIL testing incorporating DER into the real-time simulation environment. A low-voltage benchmark system with detailed HIL setup is proposed for the testing of DER performance. The modeling of DER for real-time applications is discussed, and the detailed laboratory procedures and setups for both controller HIL (CHIL) and power HIL (PHIL) are provided. Results from CHIL simulation related to the centralized controls and experimental results of PHIL simulation related to local control on the benchmark system substantiate the suitability of the proposed real-time simulation approach.