In order to overcome challenges associated with the integration of distributed energy resources (DER) into state-of-the-art and future power grids, a common basis for testing using appropriate benchmark systems is required. Real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation has proven to be an advanced and efficient tool for the analysis and validation of electric power systems and DER components. However, a common methodology for HIL testing of DER along with the required set of reference systems has not yet been developed. This task-force paper proposes a benchmark system for HIL testing incorporating DER into the real-time simulation environment. A low-voltage benchmark system with detailed HIL setup is proposed for the testing of DER performance. The modeling of DER for real-time applications is discussed, and the detailed laboratory procedures and setups for both controller HIL (CHIL) and power HIL (PHIL) are provided. Results from CHIL simulation related to the centralized controls and experimental results of PHIL simulation related to local control on the benchmark system substantiate the suitability of the proposed real-time simulation approach.

For power system engineers, automated load frequency control (LFC) for multi-area power networks has proven a difficult problem. With the addition of numerous power generation sources, the complexity of these duties becomes even more difficult. The dynamic nature of linked power networks with varied generating sources, such as gas, thermal, and hydropower plants, is compared in this research. For the study to be more accurate, frequency and tie-line power measurements are used. For precise tuning of proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller gains, the Bald Eagle Sparrow search optimization (BESSO) technique was used. The BESSO algorithm was created by combining the characteristics of sparrows and bald eagles. The performance of BESSO is determined by comparing its findings to those acquired using traditional approaches. In terms of Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE), which is the most important criterion used to reduce system error, the findings presented in this study indicate the effectiveness of the BESSO-PID controller. Finally, sensitivity analysis and stability analysis proved the robustness of the developed controller. The settling times associated with the tie-line power flow, frequency variation in area-1, and frequency variation in area-2, respectively, were 10.4767 s, 8.5572 s, and 11.4364 s, which were all less than the traditional approaches. As a result, the suggested method outperformed the other strategies.

The role of flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTSs) in the provision of grid services is becoming increasingly important, due to the massive integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and the decommissioning of thermal plants. A comprehensive literature review of grid services offered by FACTS is performed, focusing on the different grid services that they can provide, such as power flow control, reactive power control, voltage control, power quality improvement, harmonic mitigation, improvement of transient stability, and damping of inter-area and intra-area oscillations. These grid services need to be realistically and economically validated in suitable testing environments. A review of relevant standards, guides, and the literature is performed, which covers the entire range from functional specification and factory testing up to the field testing of FACTS. Advanced industry practices, such as controller hardware in the loop (CHIL) testing of FACTS controllers by the manufacturer, and recent trends, such as CHIL testing of replica controllers by the owner, are underlined. Limitations of conventional testing and CHIL testing are explained and the use of power hardware in the loop (PHIL) simulation for FACTS testing is discussed. CHIL and scaled-down PHIL tests on a transmission static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) are performed and a comparison of the results is presented.

Electronic-smart meters are increasingly installed in electricity networks of many countries. In several cases, their operation in parallel with photovoltaic inverters and other power-electronic devices can result in measurement errors reaching up to 45%. In practice, this problem cannot be tackled by current standards due to the gap in standardization of electromagnetic immunity and emissions in the 2-150 kHz range. This paper provides a comprehensive review of international and national standards, guidelines, technical reports, and papers on this challenging electromagnetic-compatibility issue highlighting the gap in the 2-150 kHz range. The ongoing standardization activity to establish both emission and immunity levels and suitable testing procedures is described in detail. Laboratory setups for testing the immunity of smart meters and the emissions of grid-tie inverters are described and experimental results to validate the suitability of the proposed approaches are presented.

Energy transition in islands constitutes a major challenge. Apart from a necessity, it can also be a great opportunity for sustainable social and economic development. Toward this direction, a new, promising movement has emerged recently in Greek islands. Straight from the roots of the insular population, development of energy communities comes as the result of increased awareness of local people, raised also by the legacy of lighthouse projects and initiatives. Kythnos, Ikaria, Sifnos, Tilos, Agios Efstratios, Crete, and Chalki, are all islands that have embraced the implementation of successful, local-scale innovation projects and/or initiatives, generating meaningful results across different energy aspects and contributing to positive social change. Our study provides an overview of the broader energy transition aspects in Greek islands, discusses the impact of the aforementioned exemplary cases, and further elaborates on the model of energy communities. According to our analysis, leveraging on the experience of lighthouse projects and initiatives, and on the dynamics of the emerging energy community movement, could lead to increased social and economic benefits for the insular populations, to broad public acceptance, and to minimum environmental impacts for the islands’ natural ecosystems.

Investigations of the dynamic behaviour of power electronic components integrated into electric networks require suitable and established simulation methodologies. Real-time simulation represents a frequently applied methodology for analyzing the steady-state and transient behavior of electric power systems. This work introduces a guideline on how to model power electronics converters in digital real time simulators, taking into account the trade-off between model accuracy and the required computation time. Based on this concept, possible execution approaches with respect to the usage of central processing unit and field-programmable gate array components are highlighted. Simulation test scenario, such as primary frequency regulation and low voltage ride through, have been performed and accuracy indices are discussed for each implemented real-time model and each test scenario, respectively. Finally, a run-time analysis of presented real-time setups is given and real-time simulation results are compared. This manuscript demonstrates important differences in real-time simulation modelling, providing useful guidelines for the decision making of power engineers.