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U.S. Department of Energy
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Smart Contract-Defined Secondary Control and Co-Simulation for Smart Solar Inverters using Blockchain Technology

Conference ·
OSTI ID:1644045
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [3]
  1. University of Texas A&M; University of Arkansas
  2. University of Texas A&M
  3. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

This paper proposes a cooperative control approach using blockchain technology for solar inverters in a photovoltaic system. Moreover, a co-simulation method for smart inverters and a blockchain network is studied. The blockchain assisted-smart inverter (BASI) consists of a solar inverter and an internet of things device as a client node of a blockchain network, which can fully utilize emerging blockchain technologies such as distributed ledger, security functions, and smart contract. The control includes a primary-level droop control in a BASI and smart contract-defined secondary-level supervisory control in a secured blockchain network. The concept of the proposed smart contract-defined control approach is validated by simulation studies using the cyber-physical co-simulation testbed built-in MATLAB/Simulink in a PC interfacing with a Hyperledger-Fabric blockchain software implemented in a PC.

Research Organization:
University of Arkansas
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
DOE Contract Number:
EE0009026
OSTI ID:
1644045
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English