Real-Time Simulation and Hardware-in-the-Loop Approaches for Integrating Renewable Energy Sources into Smart Grids: Challenges & Actions

TL;DR

This paper reviews real-time simulation and Hardware-in-the-Loop methods for integrating renewable energy into smart grids, discussing current challenges, limitations, and future research directions for validation and testing.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the current state, limitations, and future needs of real-time and HIL approaches in smart grid renewable energy integration.

Findings

HIL techniques are crucial for validating renewable energy interactions.

Current HIL methods face limitations in scalability and accuracy.

Future research should focus on enhancing HIL capabilities for complex systems.

Abstract

The integration of distributed renewable energy sources and the multi-domain behaviours inside the cyber-physical energy system (smart grids) draws up major challenges. Their validation and roll out requires careful assessment, in term of modelling, simulation and testing. The traditional approach focusing on a particular object, actual hardware or a detailed model, while drastically simplifying the remainder of the system under test, is no longer sufficient. Real-time simulation and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) techniques emerge as indispensable tools for validating the behaviour of renewable sources as well as their impact/interaction to with the cyber-physical energy system. This paper aims to provide an overview of the present status-quo of real-time and HIL approaches used for smart grids and their readiness for cyber-physical experiments. We investigate the current limitations of HIL techniques and point out necessary future developments. Subsequently, the paper highlights challenges that need specific attention as well as ongoing actions and further research directions.