MRI: Development of a Real-world Microgrid Simulation/Testing Instrument

微电网是增加可再生能源(RES)使用的有力手段，可再生能源是智能电网和配电系统发展的重要组成部分。拟议的微电网试验台是为正在开发RE和智能家电集成解决方案的公司、社区和研究机构提供的实验和教育平台。微电网试验台通过促进可再生能源与现有电网的整合，在提高电网可靠性的同时，促进科学进步，促进繁荣和福利。它将通过使用需求侧管理等先进技术和智能插电式车辆部署等新工具来降低峰值容量需求，从而提高整体能源效率。这有助于推进微电网基础设施研究的最新水平。这些成果可以改进未来微电网的设计和部署，同时支持NSF促进科学进步的使命。微电网试验台将实验研究、开发和教育平台整合在一个单一的操作系统中。它的设计目的是在所有级别的控制下进行实验，以进行微电网和智能电网、可再生能源、能量储存、情景可视化、分布式发电机之间的协同控制和能源管理系统的研究。该设施由一个实时模拟器(RT-Lab)和一个基于逆变器的装置、两个电子直流电源、负载、大楼屋顶上的一个1kW光伏阵列和两台计算机组成。该装置由四台基于逆变器的发电机组成，由智能控制器和RT-Lab控制，使它们足够灵活，可以模拟直流和交流微电网。一个基于逆变器的发电机具有背靠背配置，以模拟不同类型的能源并分析直流链路中的行为。该系统还可以连接到公共电网，以测试两者之间的交互作用。此外，该系统将具有对一些故障进行编程和测试电能质量问题的能力。该设施的关键功能之一是通过使用开放式固件转换器和智能控制单元灵活地更改每个转换器的软件和固件。这提供了一个吸引研究人员、政府机构和社区参与微电网相关活动的平台。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Microgrids are a powerful means of increasing the use of Renewable-Energy-Sources (RES), an important part of the evolution of both Smart Grids and distribution systems. The proposed microgrid testbed is an experimental and educational platform for companies, communities and research institutions that are developing solutions for the integration of RES and intelligent appliances. The microgrid testbed promotes the progress of science and fosters prosperity and welfare by advancing the integration of RES into the existing electric-grid while increasing the reliability of the grid. It will improve the overall energy efficiency by reducing peak-capacity requirements using developed techniques like demand-side management and new tools such as smart plug-in-vehicles deployment. This contributes to advance the state-of-the-art in microgrid infrastructure research. Results can improve future designs and deployments of microgrids while supporting the NSF-mission to promote the progress of science. The microgrid testbed integrates experimental research, development and education platforms in a single operational system. It is designed to run experiments at all levels of controls to conduct research on microgrids and smart grids, RES, energy storage, visualization of scenarios, cooperative control among distributed generators, and energy management systems. The facility is composed of a real-time simulator (RT-Lab) and an inverter-based setup, two electronic DC power-sources, loads, a 1kW PV-array on the rooftop of the building and two computers. The setup consists of four inverter-based-generators controlled by intelligent controllers and the RT-Lab to make them flexible enough to simulate DC and AC microgrids. One inverter-based-generator has a back-to-back configuration to emulate different kinds of energy sources and analyze the behavior in the DC-link. The system can also be connected to the public grid to test interactions between both. Further, the system will have capabilities to program some faults and test power quality problems. One of the key capabilities of the facility is the flexibility to change the software and firmware of each converter by using open firmware converters and intelligent control units. This provides a platform to attract researchers, government agencies and the community into microgrid-related activities.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.