Real-time simulation: The missing link in the design process of advanced grid equipment

This paper describes a design process of advanced grid equipment including both dynamic simulations and power-hardware- in-the-loop. A case study concerning the insertion of an energy storage system in a large isolated grid is used as an illustrative example. First, the methodology developed to achieve a real-time simulation of the studied grid from its original dynamic model is presented. The real-time platform used within the framework of this project is based on the RT-LAB environment and is interfaced with real ultracapacitors through a power amplifier. Some experimental results are analyzed in the final part. The advantages of this methodology including power-hardware- in-the-loop are emphasized by illustrating its contribution to dynamic model validation and the obtained improvement in control system performances.