A Microgrid is a small-scale power grid that can operate independently or in conjunction with the area's main electrical grid. Any small-scale localized station with its own power resources, generation and loads and definable boundaries qualifies as a Microgrid. Ecosense’s Microgrid lab uses sources like PV Emulator, Wind Turbine Emulator and Fuel Cell and Battery bank for storage. This Microgrid lab is a grid connected setup where the output of DC Microgrid is connected to main AC grid via a Voltage Source converter (VSC). This Microgrid can also be configured to work as a Standalone set-up.

The microgrid combines the outputs of Wind Turbine emulator, PV Emulator and Fuel Cell at a common DC link via different DC-DC converters which is further connected to a three-legged programmable inverter to deliver the combined power to an Actual Grid. Microgrid system enables user to do research in the field of Microgrid management, load side management, priority allocation to renewable sources etc. Ecosense’s Microgrid is an open-source system where a user can reprogram, rewire and revise the system to carry out their research goals. All the sources are independent of each other and research can also be carried out on each of the sources independently. Ecosense provides source file based on Labview platform which can be easily modified as per the user’s liking. Ecosense appreciates and also provide an active support to users carrying out their research.

Technical Characteristics ≫

• Ability to track torque-speed and power-speed characteristics of a wind turbine at different wind speeds and pitch angle.
• Plotting Cp-λ curve to show the turbine characteristics at a particular pitch angle.
• Real time tracking of λ could be utilized to track the optimal λ of a turbine.
• Maximum power point tracking opportunity based on the generated voltage and current feedback.
• Ability to control DC link voltage using bidirectional converter in stand-alone mode.
• Research on Microgrid possible as the DC link can accommodate other renewable sources such as PV.
• Power flow and quality supplied to the grid can be controlled and analysed.
• Further exploration of control techniques for smart grid implementation possible.
• Continuous sensing of grid side voltage and currents provide opportunity to implement advanced control algorithms to control the behaviour as per grid conditions.
• Implementing different maximum power point algorithm in Wind Turbine Emulator system
• Maintaining minimum reactive power at inverter output to achieve unity power factor and maximise the usable power generation.
• Using different differential equations to emulate different Wind Turbine models.
• Implementing Anti-islanding protection using fault detection at different loads
• Comparative analysis of different PV panels using PV emulator.
• Series-parallel behaviour of different PV panels could be analysed for both stand-alone and grid connected systems.
• Study the buck and boost mode of operation of bidirectional converter in the battery back-up system
• Study system performance with three renewable sources connected together to form a DC micro grid with battery as the energy storage device.
• Study integration of DC micro-grid to the main AC grid using a 3-phase inverter.
• Study the operation of DC micro-grid under various load conditions by applying various DC and AC loads.

Technical Advantages ≫

• Modular and Scalable design
• Provision to add more energy sources
• System is rigorously tested and can work continuously without switching off.
• Require very less space for installation.
• Reliable Quality: Basically, no after sales service is required.
• System comes with an illustrated experiment manual detailing every wiring connection to be made.
• Specifications can be customized as per requirement.
• Detailed demonstration and training of system is done during commissioning of the system.

Microgrid Lab can be customized as per user’s requirements.

Experiments ≫

• Study of the effect of change in wind speed and pitch angle on the operation of DC Microgrid system.
• Power flow analysis of in a DC Microgrid system with multiple sources (wind and solar) and battery as energy storage.
• Study the effect of change in solar insulation with daytime and geographic location on the operation of DC Microgrid system.
• Study the buck and boost mode of operation of bidirectional converter connected to the battery storage system, under these conditions — (a.) Load is greater than generation from both sources (i.e. Battery discharging), or, (b.) Load is less than generation from both sources (i.e. Battery charging)
• Study of system performance with two renewable sources (wind and solar) connected together to form a DC Microgrid with battery as the energy storage device.
• Study of system performance with three renewable sources (wind, fuel cell and solar) connected together to form a DC Microgrid with battery as the energy storage device.
• Study of the integration of DC Microgrid to the main AC grid using a 3-phase inverter.
• Study the operation of DC Microgrid under various load conditions by applying various DC and AC loads.
• Control and analysis of the power supplied to the AC grid.

Research Options ≫

• Ability to track torque-speed and power-speed characteristics of a wind turbine at different wind speeds and pitch angle.
• Plotting Cp-λ curve to show the turbine characteristics at a particular pitch angle.
• Real time tracking of λ could be utilized to track the optimal λ of a turbine.
• Maximum power point tracking opportunity based on the generated voltage and current feedback.
• Ability to control DC link voltage using bidirectional converter in stand-alone mode.
• Research on Microgrid possible as the DC link can accommodate other renewable sources such as PV.
• Comparative analysis of different PV panels using PV emulator.
• Series-parallel behavior of different PV panels could be analyzed for both stand-alone and grid connected systems.
• Power flow and quality supplied to the grid can be controlled and analyzed.
• Further exploration of control techniques for smart grid implementation possible.
• Continuous sensing of grid side voltage and currents provide opportunity to implement advanced control algorithms to control the behavior as per grid conditions.

Specifications ≫

Design	Scalable Design
Usability	Can be used indoors only
Specifications	Energy Sources: Wind Turbine Emulator, PV Emulator, Fuel Cell Energy Storage: Battery Bank Grid Connected system