RT21 | Testbed Development for Real-Time HIL Demonstration for Flexible CHP Systems

The Flexible CHP Systems with their additional generation capacity have the potential to provide different grid services. However, their full potential is not realized due to different barriers. This work highlights some of the technological solutions that will enable us to build plug-and-play systems. This system will primarily comprise a power converter and a microgrid controller. These systems when connected to the CHP units can enable them to flexibly provide grid services. As part of this work, a testbed was developed to test the converter and the microgrid controller. First, the modeling of a microgrid environment consisting of CHP, PV, and loads was done in Simulink. The model was then run on a Power HIL setup consisting of an OPAL-RT simulator, and Egston CSU power amplifier. The microgrid controller was programmed to implement IEEE 2030.7 standard. Modbus communication was also demonstrated between different components of the testbed.