Alexander Helmedag

Multiphysics Test Bed for Renewable Energy Systems in Smart Homes

This work introduces a multiphysics test bed which supports the testing of renewable energy systems in the context of home energy systems (HESs). The test bed, based on power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) technology, allows for testing renewable energy systems and HESs in a holistic way. Homes, as the melting pot of different forms of energy, are one of the key enablers for the smart grid technology. The interface of different energy domains is the main propeller for innovation and development of new technologies. The test bed presented in this work comprises thermal, hydraulic, communication, and electrical interfaces, enabling a variety of testing scenarios. The modular structure of the test bed allows for a very flexible setup for analyzing different kinds of HESs.

Fault Ride Through Certification of Wind Turbines Based on a Hardware in the Loop Setup

This publication presents a practical experience in implementing fault ride through investigations on a multiphysics power hardware in the loop platform for wind turbine nacelles. Next to the aim of doing full-scale system investigations with the nacelle, the use for system certification is included in the planning. While it is quite clear that such an approach would bring significant advantages compared with in-field testing, it is also important to understand if it is possible to overcome all the challenges from a practical and, in particular, measurement point of view that system level test bench certification implies. This question is analyzed with the support a unique platform developed by the authors in collaboration with other researchers of RWTH Aachen University. The platform is able to support test activities up to 1 MW.

Testing nacelles of wind turbines with a hardware in the loop test bench

Testing of wind energy converters (WEC) at ground level in contrast to an in-field setup has increased in the last years. As it is an approach which is fundamentally different to in field-testing, it requires significant modifications of the measurement environment and the layout of the sensor system. To increase the reliability of WECs, a detailed investigation of the status of various electrical and mechanical values is necessary because good condition monitoring guarantees a well-controlled state of the turbine in the desired point of operation. This leads to an appropriate maintenance strategy that enhances the lifetime of the WEC. Crucial physical values can be identified easier at ground level testing than with an in-field setup. This article addresses the realization of Hardware in the Loop (HIL) concepts on signal and power level for the use in WEC nacelle testing. Moreover, the functionality of the 1 MW demonstrator test bench operating in HIL mode with a DUT controlled by the original nacelle controller is shown.

Fault ride through certification of wind turbines based on a power hardware in the loop setup

This paper presents a practical experience in implementing Fault Ride Through investigations on a multi-physics Power Hardware in the Loop platform for wind turbine nacelles. Next to the aim of doing full-scale system investigations with the nacelle, the use for system certification is included in the planning. While it is quite clear that such an approach would bring significant advantages compared to in-field testing, it is also important to understand if it is possible to overcome all the challenges from a practical and, in particular, measurement point of view that system level test bench certification implies. This question is analyzed with the support a unique platform developed by the authors in collaboration with other researchers of RWTH Aachen University. The platform is able to support test activities up to 1-MW.

An advanced real-time simulation laboratory for future grid studies: Current state and future development

Power Grid is facing a tremendous change characterized by many challenges. Future grid will definitely be a complex system hard to study, analyze and design with traditional, analytical and rule based approaches. In this context it is clear that in the design of future smart-grid, simulation in support of design and Hardware In the Loop methods will have a key role. In this paper we present the actual structure of the Automation of Complex Power System laboratory and future planned expansion to support the development of new automation concepts for future smart grid.

Development of a 4 MW full-size wind-turbine test bench

The in-field validation of wind turbines behavior is very time consuming and cost intensive, especially when fault ride-through (FRT) tests are conducted. Full-size wind-turbine test benches allow a realistic operation of wind turbines in an artificial environment. Due to the independency of wind and grid conditions, the cost and duration of the test program and certification can be reduced. This paper presents the development of 4 MW full-size wind-turbine test bench following a multi-physics hardware in-the-loop (HiL) concept. With the currently installed test bench setup, a synchronization of the device-under-test converters is possible. Through the measurement results of the test programs conducted on the test bench, the capability of the test bench in replicating the field conditions is demonstrated. In addition, a time consuming efficiency measurement can be performed with the reduced duration on the test bench. This shows another main benefit of the test bench compared to the conventional test method for wind turbines.