Power system emulation using a real time, 145 kW, virtual power system

The virtual power system is a real time, real power level, controllable sink/source used to emulate electrical machines and load systems connected to a system which requires testing. This can significantly aid in the development and testing of power systems. An earlier development, the virtual machine concentrated solely on the emulation of a low power (7.5 kW) induction machine. However, the concept of power system emulation is particularly appropriate to higher power level applications, such as renewable energy systems. Therefore, this paper considers the development of a 145 kW virtual power system. At higher power levels, however, semiconductor devices switch at slower rates. This has an impact upon the maximum pulse width modulation switching rate which may be applied to the power electronics, and in turn results in slower current control loop implementation. This paper investigates the performance achievable from a 145 kW power system emulator