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Title: Interconnection Standard Grid-Support Function Evaluations Using an Automated Hardware-in-the-Loop Testbed

Journal Article · · IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [2];  [3]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Austrian Inst. of Technology, Vienna (Austria)
  3. SunSpec Alliance, San Jose, CA (United States)
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Grid operators are increasingly turning to advanced grid-support functions in distributed energy resources (DER) to assist with distribution circuit voltage regulation, bulk system frequency control, and power system protection. The U.S. DER certification standard, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1741, was revised in September 2016 to add test procedures for multiple grid-support functions. Sandia National Laboratories, SunSpec Alliance, and growing community of collaborators have undertaken a multiyear effort to create an open-source system validation platform (SVP) that automates DER interconnection and interoperability test procedures by communicating with grid simulators, photovoltaic (PV) simulators, data acquisition systems, and interoperable equipment under test. However, the power hardware required for generating the test conditions may be untenable for many organizations. In this paper, we discuss development of the SVP testing capabilities for UL 1741 tests utilizing a controller hardware-in-the-loop testbed that precludes the need for power hardware using a 34.5 kW Austrian Institute of Technology smart grid controller. Finally, analysis of normal ramp rate, soft start ramp rate, specified power factor, volt-VAr, and frequency-watt advanced grid functions, and the effectiveness of the UL 1741 test protocols are included.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Austrian Inst. of Technology, Vienna (Austria)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); Austrian Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology; Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0003525; FFG 839566; FFG 848915
OSTI ID:
1472265
Report Number(s):
SAND-2018-9714J; 667607
Journal Information:
IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Vol. 8, Issue 2; ISSN 2156-3381
Publisher:
IEEECopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 18 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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