Evaluation of Control Strategies within Hybrid DC/AC Microgrids using Typhoon HIL

Hardware-in-Loop (HIL) based simulation improves effectiveness of system simulation process by enabling interaction with part of the physical components. Hybrid ac/dc microgrids comprise of both dc and ac distribution, and comprise of different sources, loads and storage, interfaced to either bus. A critical factor related to successful microgrid implementation is management of energy interaction amongst the different components. The control systems for each of the different elements need to be critically validated in such a configuration. This paper presents the use of Typhoon HIL as the validation tool for control systems for all the constituents within hybrid dc-ac microgrid. The modelled Micro Grid consists of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as a PV plant, Diesel Generator, Fuel Cell, Wind Farm, Micro-turbines, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and Converters. The simulation of Bidirectional Converter, connected between ac and dc buses, and its operation has been validated first using Matlab Simulink, and then compared to Typhoon HIL 402 based simulation.