The integration of smart grid technologies in interconnected power system networks presents multiple challenges for the power industry and the scientific community. To address these challenges, researchers are creating new methods for the validation of: control, interoperability, reliability of Internet of Things systems, distributed energy resources, modern power equipment for applications covering power system stability, operation, control, and cybersecurity. Novel methods for laboratory testing of electrical power systems incorporate novel simulation techniques spanning real-time simulation, Power Hardware-in-the-Loop, Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop, Power System-in-the-Loop, and co-simulation technologies. These methods directly support the acceleration of electrical systems and power electronics component research by validating technological solutions in high-fidelity environments. In this paper, members of the Survey of Smart Grid International Research Facility Network task on Advanced Laboratory Testing Methods present a review of methods, test procedures, studies, and experiences employing advanced laboratory techniques for validation of range of research and development prototypes and novel power system solutions.

With reference to the newly released microgrid standards, design and real-time implementation of a centralized microgrid control system is presented in this article. In the grid-connected mode, the utility grid will provide the voltage and frequency reference at the point of connection. The assets within the microgrid will follow power command references provided by the control system. In the islanded mode, the energy storage system (ESS) can provide the voltage and frequency reference to all other generators. Based on the state-of-charge of the ESS, a rule-based dispatch is proposed, with priority given to diesel generator and then the storage in the middle state of charge range. To alleviate power fluctuations, meet smooth planned islanding requirement, and compensate for the feeder losses ignored in dispatch algorithm, a supplementary slack-bus power control based on closed-loop feedback and first-order filter is proposed. The potential of the storage system in firming short-time power fluctuation and providing long-term load shifting capabilities is exploited. An emergency dispatch function for unplanned islanding considering the speed of response limitation of a diesel generator is also proposed. The proposed control strategy is implemented and tested on a controller hardware-in-the-loop test bench. It demonstrates the capability of the control system to reduce load shedding and renewable curtailment, and to implement power management at the point of interconnection.

The paper proposes a torque cancellation strategy for a non-isolated three-phase integrated battery charger (IBC) topology for light and medium duty EV drives based on six-phase permanent magnet (PM) synchronous machines. The charger requires a three-phase grid interface and utilizes the machine windings as the input filter inductances after minor reconfiguration. The drive power electronics are used to control the currents drawn from the three- phase grid. The current flowing through the machine windings induces a torque on the PM machine rotor which is eliminated by the proposed torque cancellation strategy in battery charging mode. The torque cancellation strategy is general and works with both symmetric or asymmetrically wound six-phase PM machines. The strategy is also capable of eliminating the torque when the rotor is displaced from the stator d-axis. The linear quadratic regulator with integral (LQRI) action control scheme is used to accommodate for the asymmetry caused by the dependence of winding inductance on the rotor position. Co-simulation results with FEA and hardware experiments show the topology based on six-phase PM machines can be used to charge or discharge the battery for grid support functions while the torque on the machine shaft remains canceled.

The reduced inertia in power system introduces more operation risks and challenges due to the degraded frequency performance. The existing virtual inertia control and fast frequency response to tackle this issue are restricted by the energy resource behind the power converter. In this article, an improved virtual synchronous machine control is proposed, considering the limitation of energy storage in response speed and energy capacity. The fast-acting energy storage system is used to emulate inertia and damping. The energy consumed by both services in dynamic process and steady-state state is also investigated. An energy recovery control is designed to restore the energy consumed in inertia emulation and damping provision, thereby ensuring constant energy reserve. Besides, the slow-acting energy storage with larger energy capacity, is controlled like the governor regulator of synchronous generator and capable of providing long-term energy service. A design procedure considering storage limitation, control stability, and bandwidth separation is proposed. Effectiveness of the proposed control and design is validated by comprehensive simulation and hardware test results.

Dependence on the depleting fossil fuels, particularly in the transportation sector, calls for sustainable, green solutions such as electrification, which address the challenges of providing alternate sources of power at low emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) are the centerpiece of the transportation electrification sector. Reducing the time for charging from hours to a few minutes gives an extra sheen to the prospect of transportation electrification. However, massive upscaling of the electric power infrastructure is required to accommodate the demands of large-scale transportation electrification. This article explores a sustainable strategy involving distributed energy resources to meet the elevated power and energy demand due to DC fast charging (DCFC) and ultra-fast charging (UFC) EV load on the electric power distribution network.. The mixed integer quadratic optimization model developed ensures seamless integration of the renewable resources, the EV load, and the distribution grid while adhering to the power quality constraints. This paper demonstrates that it is possible to serve a 155 kW aggregated (peak power load) DC fast charging load with a 100 kW interconnect. Similarly for an ultrafast -charging station a peak reduction factor of 9.11 compared to unmanaged charging is achieved at the interconnection point. The methodology is developed, and results are compared against a rule-based system for multiple scenarios. Additionally, validation based on OPAL RT RT-4500 for a sample scenario is presented.

The study proposes a non‐isolated three‐phase integrated battery charger (IBC) based on electric vehicle drivetrains that have two permanent magnet synchronous motors with shafts coupled via a torque coupler. The windings of both machines are used as input filter inductances after reconfiguration and connected to a three‐phase grid in charging mode. Their existing traction inverters are operated as a three‐phase charger that controls the charging power from the grid. The total torque produced on the shaft during operation is analysed and a strategy to eliminate it is proposed. The strategy not only maintains a zero‐average torque but also eliminates the pulsating torque component on the shaft during operation. The topology allows conversion of the existing drive to an IBC through minor reconfiguration and provides an opportunity to reduce the effective THD injection into the grid via interleaving for machines with low winding inductance. A power balancing control is also proposed to reduce the second harmonic on the DC power output due to machine non‐ideality. Simulation and experimental results validate that the topology can be used as both a battery charger and as a distributed resource, while the resultant torque on the shaft remains eliminated by the proposed strategy.