The Conference on Design and Architectures for Signal and Image Processing

The importance of FPGAs for the Real-Time Simulation of Micro-Grid and Distributed Energy Generation Systems and Electrical Vehicles

In the last half-century, we have witnessed wholesale and essential changes in the ways we structure and conceive of generation, transmission and distribution systems.
• Generation systems have evolved from high-inertia, schedulable, large rotating machines to low-inertia, power-electronics-based, small and distributed non schedulable renewable energy systems;
• Transmission systems have evolved from traditional AC transmission circuits and local protection systems to AC-DC transmission networks equipped with fast power electronics controllers (FACTS). Sophisticated wide-area protection and control schemes and communication systems are both used to maximize security, and power transfer capability to reduce rights-of-way;
• Distribution systems can no longer be represented by simple passive and dynamic load equivalents. Distributed energy generation and storage systems may now be integrated anywhere on the grid, including at customer sites. Each customer can potentially become a de-centralized ‘prosumer’ of sorts, with photovoltaics (PVs), batteries, and plug-in electrical vehicles.
As an unavoidable consequence of DER introduction, the sheer number of fast power electronics subsystems interacting both between themselves and with the main grids will then also increase dramatically. One of the challenges is related to the capability to simulate these complex systems in real-time or faster than real-time to assess the total performance and security. Multi-FPGA based simulator will play a major role to meet the speed required to simulate fast electromagnetic transients. Simulation time steps between 250 nanos to 2 – 3 micros is required, which is not possible with standard processors. The same challenged are encountered in the design and test of electrical vehicles, more-electrical-aircrafts, electrical ships and trains as well as for large multi-drive systems.
This presentation will discuss challenges and solutions using several fast FPGAs to meet the needs of fast real-time simulation of power electronic systems.