Grid simulation
Line impedance emulation
• 3 independent laboratory grids with variable network impedances for up to 1000 kVA, flexible star point configuration and grounding systems • 2 independent high bandwidth grid simulators: 0 to 480 V 3-phase AC, 800 kVA (available from 2014) • 3-phase balanced or unbalanced operation • Facilities for LVRT (low voltage ride-through) and FRT (fault ride-through) tests (available from 2014)
• Adjustable line impedances for various LV network topologies: meshed, radial or ring network configuration
Adjustable loads for active and reactive power • Freely adjustable RLC loads up to 1 MW, 1 MVAr (cap. and ind.) • Individual control of RLC components for testing the performance of islanding detection systems • Anti-islanding tests up to 1 MW with Qf = 1
DC sources • 5 independent dynamic PV array simulators: 1500 V, 1500 A, 960 kVA
Real time P-HIL simulation • Multicore Opal-RT real-time simulator • P-HIL and C-HIL experiments at full power in a closed control loop
DAQ and measurement Environmental simulation • • • • •
Test chamber for performance and accelerated lifetime testing Full power operation of equipment under test inside chamber Max. footprint of equipment under test: 3.60 x 2.60 x 2.80 m LxWxH Temperature range -40°C to +120°C Humidity range: 10% to 98 % r.H.
• Multiple high precision power analysers with high acquisition rate • Simultaneous sampling of asynchronous multi-domain data input
General specification • Floor space: 400 m² • Indoor and outdoor test areas suitable for ISO containers
IMPRINT Publisher: Austrian Institute of Technology, Energy Department, Giefinggasse 2, 1210 Wien, Austria Photos: Harry Krischanz Layout: Bernhard Rothkappel Publication Date: April 2013
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GMBH Energy Department Giefinggasse 2 | 1210 Wien, Austria Wolfgang Hribernik, Head of Business Unit Electric Energy Systems +43(0)50550-6641 wolfgang.hribernik@ait.ac.at
AIT SmartEST Laboratory for Smart Grids
ENERGY DEPARTMENT
ENERGY DEPARTMENT
SERVICES The AIT SmartEST Laboratory houses state-of-the-art infrastructure and qualified experts support customers and project partners in developing and optimising components and control strategies and thus shortening the time to market for new products.
AIT SMARTEST LABORATORY FOR SMART GRIDS Large-scale integration of renewable energies like solar, wind and biomass leads to an increasing level of distributed power generation, pushing the European distribution networks to their limits. One promising way to make our energy systems fit for the future is the use of smart grids, which enable intelligent energy management through bi-directional communication and coordination between generators, consumers and storage units. These intelligent power grids are expected to ensure a high quality of supply despite the integration of a large proportion of distributed generators with fluctuating supply patterns.
This new generation of power networks gives rise to a range of complex questions concerning quality of supply, capacity planning and safety strategies, which cannot be investigated during regular grid operation. The new SmartEST (Smart Electricity Systems and Technologies) Laboratory established by the Austrian Institute of Technology provides a unique research and simulation infrastructure to analyse the interactions between components and the grid under realistic conditions. Potential candidates for testing range from inverters, storage units, grid controllers and CHP units through to charging stations for electric vehicles.
• Testing of components and systems with simulated grids and primary energy sources • Electrical, functional and performance tests according to grid codes • Simultaneous testing of power and communication interfaces of components • Performance and lifetime testing under controlled environmental conditions • Simulation and testing of single components as well as complete generation systems and plants • Power hardware-in-the-loop (P-HIL) experiments by means of real time simulation and multi-domain cosimulation (rapid modelling and prototyping of systems and components) • Simulation of smart grid scenarios
INNOVATIVE TESTING METHODS AND SIMULATIONS
THE BENEFITS FOR … Grid operators
The laboratory infrastructure includes freely configurable low-voltage networks, flexible highbandwidth grid simulators, high-performance PV simulators and an environmental chamber for tests at full power under extreme temperature and humidity conditions. The AIT SmartEST Laboratory additionally offers the opportunity to simulate complex electrical grids in real time and connect them to the lab networks. This power hardwarein-the-loop (P-HIL) configuration allows real components to be integrated into a virtual grid environment and tested under realistic conditions in interaction with the grid. The combination of stateof-the-art testing infrastructure and simulations provides cutting-edge testing capabilities for component manufacturers and network operators.
• Increase in expertise in active distribution networks, e.g. power quality, stability, safety aspects, etc. • Development, implementation and testing of innovative control and systems concepts and deployment of novel devices for active network operation • Evaluation of concepts for virtual power plants and microgrids: coordinated feed-in of distributed generators • Emulation of future network structures for assessing the impact of additional distributed power generators or loads in different grid sections
Component manufacturers • Optimisationofcomponentsandgridconnectionthrough development support and validation of new concepts and prototypes
• Testing of component prototypes under realistic conditions – behaviour in the event of grid failures, high connection densities, dynamic loading and variable environmental conditions (temperature and humidity) • Testing of compliance with national and international grid codes and standards based on the extensive accreditations held by AIT
Public institutions and regulation authorities • Impact assessment of technical framework conditions for increasing the proportion of distributed energy resources in the grid • Technical support in the development of standards and grid codes • Decision-making support in the development of funding instruments