Real-Time Hardware-in-The-Loop Platform for Hybrid AC/DC Power System Studies

Conventional power system studies are normally performed using offline analytical tools and computer-based simulations. Hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) configurations are very helpful to carry out experimental tests in a safe environment without affecting the operation of a practical power system. Following this line, a real-time HiL (RT-HiL) platform suitable for a wide range of power system studies is presented in this paper. Emphasis is placed on the individual components of the platform. To demonstrate the capabilities of the RT-HiL configuration, two case studies are presented: subsynchronous resonance damping and fast frequency support provision. The ac grids are modeled in the RT simulator, while dc networks are implemented in a physical test-bed. The ability of the RT-HiL platform to emulate ac/dc interactions and grid support services is shown. For completeness, experimental results are compared against PSCAD simulation results-showing a good agreement. It should be emphasized that the presented experimental platform goes beyond conventional HiL set-ups-instead representing a hybrid hardware-based emulator with RT-HiL simulation.