Microgrid Control Using Remote Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop Over the Internet

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel internet-based remote hardware-in-the-loop control system for microgrids, demonstrating real-time stability and performance through integrated simulation and hardware testing.

Contribution

It introduces a real-time internet-connected HIL control framework for microgrids, combining PMU-based measurement, adaptive control, and real-time testing.

Findings

Successful real-time internet HIL testing demonstrating stability.

Effective power and SoC control under communication constraints.

Seamless microgrid operation achieved through adaptive scheduling.

Abstract

A centralized microgrid power management and control system is developed and tested with a Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) model of an existing microgrid that communicates in real-time with the controller over the Internet. The controller leverages Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) for measuring power flow and adjusting inverter power references in real-time. The control objectives are power and State-of-Charge (SoC) control, subject to inverter power amplitude and rate limits and communication constraints. The controller incorporates units of power control, SoC control, and adaptive reference scheduling to achieve seamless microgrid operation. Real-time, over the internet, hardware-in-the-loop tests between the controller and the simulator are realized and indicate stability and performance of the microgrid control system.