SIMO and MIMO PHIL methods for distributed generation in LV networks

The Power Hardware in the Loop (PHIL) simulation methodology is getting increasing importance in ongoing discussions of how to handle future scenarios of large integration of distributed generation to the existing electrical network. At no time whitewashing the systematic challenges of this method, the anticipated benefits that are associated with PHIL simulations are remarkable. There is no possibility so far to emulate very large sections of low or medium voltage grid and combine it with a physical on the test bench in the laboratory. PHIL simulation methods attack this area of interest, integrating real power generators (in hardware) to a virtual point of connection (in software). On the one hand the true behaviour of the generator is superior to any modelled behaviour. On the other hand this system component can be connected to a free configurable point of connection in a large electrical network - computed on the real time machine, which simply cannot be reconstructed in laboratories or when there is no access to existing field test areas. This is the benefit of the PHIL simulation method comparing it to both pure offline simulations and classic laboratory testing using standard electrical test benches, as both methods dominate and exist nowadays.