Power Hardware-In-the-Loop Approach for Autonomous Power Generation System Analysis

Abstract

The article presents the Power Hardware-In-the-Loop (PHIL) dynamic model of a synchronous generator of 125 kVA for autonomous power generation system analysis. This type of system is typically composed of electrical energy sources in the form of several diesel generator units with synchronous machines, the main distribution switchboard and different loads. In modern power distribution systems, the proposed power management strategies are typically aimed at the minimization of fuel consumption by maintaining the operation of diesel generator units at peak efficiency. In order to design and test such a system in conditions as close as possible to the real operating conditions, without constructing an actual power distribution system, a PHIL model in the form of a power inverter that emulates the behaviour of a real synchronous generator is proposed. The PHIL model was prepared in the MATLAB/Simulink environment, compiled to the C language and fed into a 150 kVA bidirectional DC/AC commercial-grade converter driven by a HIL real-time simulation control unit. Experimental research was performed in the LINTE2 laboratory of the Gdańsk University of Technology (Poland), where the PHIL emulator was developed. The proposed model was validated by comparing the output voltages and currents as well as an excitation current with the measurements performed on the 125 kVA synchronous generator. The obtained results proved satisfactory compliance of the PHIL model with its real counterpart.