This project aims at building a universal HIL platform for the hybrid AC/DC microgrid, including variable-speed diesel generators, RESs and HESSs. This platform can be reconfigured as the control-HIL (CHIL) platform, power-HIL (PHIL) platform, and the mixed CHIL-PHIL platform as shown in Figure 1. These platforms will be utilized to conduct comprehensive real-time HIL experimental studies on the existing strategies and development of novel methods for regulating and optimizing the hybrid AC/DC microgrid. Another target of this project is to design an advanced power converter which integrates the wind turbine and diesel generator into the hybrid AC/DC microgrid more effectively, reliably and economically. For these purposes, three work packages are proposed to address the problems involved in various aspects of operation and control. The objectives are listed as follows:

To build a universal HIL platform for the hybrid AC/DC microgrid using the OPAL-RT real time simulators OP5600 and OP5607, dSPACE MicrolabBox controller, Spitzenber & Spies power amplifiers, Genplus supercapacitor and SAFT lithium-ion battery. To develop the regulation and optimization strategies for the hybrid AC/DC microgrid, and verify these strategies on the universal HIL platform for the hybrid AC/DC microgrid. To design a high reliability, high stability and high performance AC-AC power converter for the integration of wind turbine into the hybrid AC/DC microgrid. To develop the improved VSM technologies with fast dynamic performance and sufficient inertia and damping for the hybrid AC/DC microgrid.

Figure 1: Representation of the Universal HIL Platform.