Dynamic Inductive EV Charging.
The dynamic inductive charging system, considers the wireless transfer of energy while an EV moves over the charging station. It comprises the magnetic coupler, compensation capacitors and the DC/AC converter that provides the required high frequency current to the charger. The implemented control scheme can significantly increase the efficiency of the system, while maximizing the energy transferred to the vehicle when it moves over the station. A relevant laboratory model has been set-up.
Anti-islanding testing
A laboratory setup for performing anti-islanding tests for both AC and DC systems has been developed based on the IEEE 1547.1 standard. PHIL tests are performed, that allow convenient and accurate detection in real-time simulation.
Simulation software of electric railway systems
The electric railway systems software tool simulates the operation of railway systems, aiming towards the optimization of their performance. The tool can model all kinds of railway electrical systems and main components such as rectifiers, storage devices and inverters in case of energy injection back to the distribution system.
Low Voltage Microgrid
Description: A main component of the laboratory is the single phase microgrid that includes a PV generator, a small Wind Turbine, battery energy storage, controllable loads and a controlled interconnection to the local LV grid. The battery unit, the PV generator and the Wind Turbine are connected to the AC grid via fast-acting DC/AC power converters. The converters are suitably controlled to permit the operation of the system either interconnected to the LV network (grid-tied), or in stand-alone (island) mode, with a seamless transfer from the one mode to the other. Part of the laboratory’s infrastructure is the 3-phase microgrid with main elements 3 single-phase battery inverters and micro-sources connected in each phase.
Static Equipment
Batteries
| Description: Lead-Acid, vented type, 30 cells, 2 V, 250/370 AH. Inverter: SMA/Sunny Island/4.5 kVA, bi directional, suitable for grid-connected and islanded operation. |
PV
| Description: Modules: 10 series connected – single crystal Si, 110W, 12 V per module. Inverter: SMA/Sunny Boy/1100W. |
Sunny Boy
| Description: PV inverter. |
Sunny Island
| Description: Battery inverter. |
Whisper
| Description: Wind turbine |
Wind turbine
| Description: 3 phase axial flux PMSG, 850W. Inverter: SMA/Windy Boy/1700W. The wind turbine has been constructed at ICCS-NTUA lab. |
Windy Boy
| Description: Wind turbine inverter. |
Multi-Microgrid Cluster
Description: The three ICCS-NTUA Microgrids form a Multi-Microgrid cluster (through Electrical and Internet connection) in order to investigate the development and verification of different control strategies and the impact of wide deployment of Microgrids at the distribution level.
Multi-Agent System for Microgrid Operation
Description: Multi-agent technology has been implemented for the control of the distributed sources and the loads of the LV microgrid. The system is developed in the Java based platform called Jade and communicates with the DER/DGs via industrial communication protocols such as OPC. Furthermore the laboratory is equipped with 10 load controllers. These are embedded systems with Java Virtual Machine, multiple analogue & digital I/O as well TCP/IP connectivity. This system can be used to test in the laboratory or in a real test field various algorithms for distributed control of Microgrids and DG/RES. Some of the functionalities that can be tested are: market participation of the Loads or the DG/RES, formulation of a VPP, ancillary services provision, black start operation, islanded operation, multi-Microgrid operation and emergency load shedding.
Laboratory SCADA
Description: The laboratory SCADA is implemented using a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) system with LabVIEW/CoDeSys software. It provides measurements on the AC and DC side of the inverters, environmental measurements (irradiation, wind speed etc.), control of the DGs and load profile programming.
Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) simulation environment
Description: The PHIL facility developed at ICCS-NTUA provides an efficient environment for studying interactions between hardware DER power devices and various simulated networks. A rack of the commercially available Real Time Digital Simulator RTDS® is operated. A Switched-Mode Amplifier by Triphase and a linear amplifier by Spitzenberger & Spies (PAS 5000) are used as a Power Interfaces between the RTDS and physical equipment to perform PHIL simulation. The Triphase power electronic converter platform allows the user to design in Matlab/Simulink the control algorithms. PHIL experiments are performed, where hardware equipment (loads, PV inverters, etc) are connected to simulated distribution networks. An irradiation sensor and an anemometer, provide input to simulated models in the RTDS in order to achieve realistic conditions.
Static Equipment
Triphase Grid simulator-Power Amplifier – 3ph AC/DC power converter
| Description: A Switched-Mode Amplifier provided by Triphase is used as a Power Interface between the RTDS and physical equipment to perform PHIL simulation. The power electronic converter platform allows the user to design a Matlab/Simulink control model, upload it to the Target PC (converter’s powerful control unit) and connect the user’s PC to the Target PC to allow real-time control of and interaction with the inverter cabinet. It also can operate as a 3ph AC/DC power converter rated at 15kVA, allowing for active and reactive power flows control and provision of ancillary services (e.g. frequency and voltage support, power quality improvement etc.). |
Spietzenberger & Spies 4-Quadrant Linear Amplifier Type PAS 5000
| Description: A linear amplifier with nominal power of 5kVA, capable of 4 quadrant operation and high bandwidth (DC – 5kHz). It can produce user-defined voltage and frequency profiles. It is used also as an interface between the RTDS and physical equipment to perform PHIL simulation. |
Real time digital simulator – RTDS
| Description: RTDS Simulator is used for performing real time power system simulation. A Power Hardware in the loop (PHIL) simulation environment for DER power devices (e.g. PV inverters) has been developed. An environment for real-time simulation, analysis and validation of digital relay models has been developed for Control Hardware in Loop (CHIL) applications. |
Controller Hardware in the Loop (CHIL) simulation environment
Description: In the context of its involvement with microgrids and dispersed generation, the research group is active in the development and study of advanced control algorithms for power electronic converters (DC/DC, DC/AC, AC/DC/AC, etc.). Based on the real-time simulator (RTDS) and a controller provided by Triphase, it is possible to thoroughly test control algorithms of power converters in an environment that reveals "hidden" weaknesses and faults in the design of these algorithms. Specifically, the design of the control algorithm is performed in the controller of Triphase while the power electronics are simulated in the RTDS. The communication between the two systems is achieved through analog and digital signals.
Adaptive Protection System in Distribution Grids with DER Penetration in a HIL environment
Description: In order to study new protection problems arising, a laboratory adaptive protection system has been developed at ICCS-NTUA. The electrical networks are designed and studied in the real-time digital simulator (RTDS). Through analogue and digital signals the RTDS is connected to external devices, such as the industrial protection relay SEL-311B. The relay is programmed to protect a feeder of the electrical network and receive voltage and current signals from the RTDS. It also controls the status of the simulated breaker in the RTDS while its condition is fed back to the relay. All relays have overcurrent elements with 2-6 setting groups that are used for the adaptive protection implementation.
PV inverter testing according to standards
Description: The laboratory operates the necessary equipment to perform tests on photovoltaic inverters according to standards. The tests that can be carried out in the laboratory are: Static and Dynamic Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) (EN 50530), EMC tests (IEC 61000-3-2, harmonic measurements 0-100KHz, etc.), connection requirements (VDE-AR-N 4105), Fault Ride Through (VDE 0126-1-1) and anti-islanding requirements (in progress).
Static Equipment
Regatron Unidirectional High-Power supply DC sources
| Description: A three channel DC source with 3x10kW nominal power, used as a PV simulator which can simulate a PV string (characteristic V-I curve) and control environmental conditions (solar radiation, temperature). |
Spietzenberger & Spies 4-Quadrant Linear Amplifier Type PAS 5000
| Description: A linear amplifier which an produce user-defined voltage and frequency profiles. It is used also as an interface between the RTDS and physical equpment to perform PHIL simulation. |
Flexible Power Electronics Configuration for Coupling RES & Storage
Description: At EESL the simulation of distribution network under future scenarios is thoroughly analysed. An integral part of this process are the Triphase’s Distributed Power Modules that realize a scalable, flexible and open platform for rapid prototyping of power conversion and power system applications. The setup consists of a 15 kVA bidirectional active frontend (DC/AC), and a 15 kW bidirectional DC/DC converter consisting of 3 channels. The Power Modules are fully reconfigurable and open.
Static Equipment
Triphase 3 channel DC/DC power converter
| Description: Three channel DC/DC converter able to interface and fully control voltages and currents up to 3 different distributed generators and storage (e.g. Photovoltaics, Batteries, Super Capacitors). The power electronic converter platform allows the user to design a Matlab/Simulink control model, upload it to the Target PC (converter’s powerful control unit) and connect the user’s PC to the Target PC to allow real-time control of and interaction with the control cabinet. |
Axial flux generator bench testing facilities
Description: The bench testing rig allows for the testing of axial flux generators of power up to 9kW and maximum diameter of up to 1m. With the use of a 60 HP DC motor, a DC bi-directional drive and a tachogenerator, the axial flux generators can be driven at different and constant revolutions per minute (RPM). Different loads can be applied to the generators such as a grid-tie inverter for grid connection or a 12/24/48V battery bank for battery charging modes, along with a diversion load controller and resistive load. In addition, a three phase ohmic load of maximum power 3.3kW can be connected directly to the generator. The experimental setup mentioned allows for a complete analysis of the generator’s behavior under different situations.
Residential Wind and Hydro Turbines construction
Description: The study and simulation of residential wind and hydro turbines for rural electrification applications follows local manufacturing which enables the user with the ability of local maintenance and immediate repairs of possible failures. In the workshop, small wind and hydro turbines are constructed from scratch. Up until now, residential wind turbines for battery charging and grid connection have been manufactured, with rotor diameters of up to 4.3 meters and a pico-hydro system of 500W.
Static Equipment
Anemometer, wind-direction meter, temperature meter, pressure meter, pyranometer etc.
E-Mobility
The lab facilities which can be exploited for e-mobility applications are:
- An EV (Electric Vehicle) emulator supporting the interoperability testing of the EV related protocols (IEC61851) is developed. It can be connected to an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment), as the device under testing, in order to validate its compliance with the standards.
- An EVSE emulator allowing the charging of a real or emulated EV in respect to IEC61851. The EVSE can also communicate with external stakeholders, i.e. the EVSEO, implementing the OCPP 1.5 protocol. Apart from the EVSE emulator, a commercial EV charging station (ETREL wallbox- 32A) is also available with smart charging capabilities.
- An EVSEO (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Operator) adopting the OCPP 1.5 protocol for the communication with custom-made or commercial EVSE.
- A custom-made energy management system with user interface offering several services to e-mobility stakeholders such as searching for EVSE location, electricity price information, EVSE availability, booking capabilities. The interaction between the EV user interface and the EVSEO is realized via Rest-Based Web Service technology.
Additional eqipment
More installed equipment at ICCS.
Static Equipment
Lab-Volt EMS 8311-05
| Description: Three Phase Variable Resistance |
Lab-Volt EMS 8321-05
| Description: Three Phase Variable Inductance |
Lab-Volt EMS 8329-05
| Description: Three Phase Transmission line |
Lab-Volt EMS 8331-05
| Description: Three Phase Variable Capacitance |
Lab-Volt EMS 8348-05
| Description: Three Phase Transformer |
Lab-Volt EMS 8349-05
| Description: Three Phase Regulating Autotransformer |
Power Pack
| Description: Three Phase Controlable Feeder |
Terco MV-1300, Power Pack
| Description: Three Phase Controlable Feeder |
Terco MV-1420
| Description: Three Phase Transmission line |
Mobile Equipment
Fluke 860
| Description: Graphical Multimeter |
Fluke 41B
| Description: Power Harmonics Analyzer |
Fluke 434
| Description: Power Quality Analyzer |
Hitachi VC-6025A
| Description: Digital Storage Oscilloscope |
Norma IMI-1
| Description: Megger Tester |
Tektronix TDS2004C
| Description: Digital Oscilloscope |
Yokogawa WT3000
| Description: Precision Power Analyzer |
