Ecosense refurbished Microgrid Lab at Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, JNTU College of Engineering, Anantapur. JNTU College of Engineering, Anantapur is one of the premier Engineering colleges in Andhra Pradesh. It is established with the mission to identify and implement proven, prevention-oriented, forward-looking solutions to critical scientific and technological problems.
The Microgrid lab at Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, JNTU College of Engineering, Anantapur consists of two research equipments set-up by Ecosense. These equipments includes:
1. Multi-Algorithm, Multiple-Controller Microgrid System.
2. WTE-PVE Hybrid Grid Connected System
1. Multi-Algorithm, Multiple-Controller Microgrid System (MAMC)
The system comes with a Solar PV Array. The PV Array is further connected to a converter selection switch, where a user can select any of the three installed DC-DC Converters (Buck converter, Boost Converter and Buck-Boost Converter) and implement MPPT algorithm.
The GUI is based on LABVIEW programming environment which is interfaced to the system using a National Instruments based FPGA module. All the converters are controlled using the same FPGA.
This system comes with two algorithms P&O and Incremental conductance. Apart from the standard algorithms, user can also write their algorithms in LabView software. The system comes with a modifiable open-source software.
This system can be studied and controlled at generation side and as well as load side to understand the influence of different parameters like low insolation, direct shadow and partial shadow.
What students can do with MAMC system:
• Analysis and characteristics of solar photovoltaic system and its testing for low scale rooftop installations.
• PV panels can be configured in series and parallel to form an array.
• Testing of various Maximum power point tracking Algorithms possible for 250Wp - 500Wp using multiple converters.
• Ability to control and measure various performance parameters in Real time using FPGA based control.
• External gate signal can be provided to the converters to test new algorithms.
• Closed loop control of the DC bus voltage with user input in a range of operation (50 V- 60 V).
• Online change in DC bus voltage possible by user input.
• Real time measurement of voltage and current waveforms at different point in the system.
• Ability to test system performance by adding various kinds of DC loads
• Constant DC link voltage maintenance for operation as DC bus.
• Ability to control each converter with new control algorithm
• Further expansion to DC micro grid possible by adding renewable sources of energy.
2. WTE-PVE Hybrid Grid Connected System
This system relies on two of the popular Renewable Energy sources i.e.; Solar PV and Wind Turbine.
Wind turbine emulator mimics the behaviour of wind turbine for hardware level simulations. This system has a DC motor coupled with the PMSG, speed of which is controlled as per the speed reference calculated by solving the mathematical model of wind turbine. A PMSG coupled to the DC motor and bidirectional inverter is connected to the terminals of the generator. Researcher can execute the mathematical models of their newly developed or modified wind turbine and can simulate the speed/power of profile of turbine on hardware environment directly for different wind speeds & pitch angle. Similarly, Solar PV Emulator mimics the behaviour of Solar PV Panels for hardware level simulations. This system comprises of two DC Switch Mode Power supplies which can be programmed by user to behave like a solar panel.
What students can do with a Wind Turbine Emulator System?
• 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 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 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 maximize the usable power generation
• Using different differential equations to emulate different Wind Turbine models
• Implementing Anti-islanding protection using fault detection at different loads
Masters Training Conducted
Master’s Training Conducted
After successful reinstallation of system, 1-day master’s training program is conducted. This master’s training was focused on how to efficiently utilize the system in core-curriculum development and practical experimentations.
Video Links:
1. Wind Turbine Emulator System – Introduction
2. Wind turbine Emulator System – Demonstration