Real-Time Validation of Power Flow Control Method for Enhanced Operation of Microgrids

This paper describes a control methodology for electronic power converters distributed in low-voltage microgrids and its implementation criteria in general microgrid structures. In addition, a real-time simulation setup is devised, implemented, and discussed to validate the control operation in a benchmark network. Considering these key aspects, it is shown that operational constraints regarding the power delivered by sources, flowing through network branches, and exchanged at the point of connection with the main grid can generally be fulfilled by the presented control approach. The control is performed considering a cost function aiming at optimizing various operation indexes, including distribution losses, current stresses on feeders, voltage deviations. The control system allows an enhanced operation of the microgrid, specifically, it allows dynamic and accurate power flow control enabling the provision of ancillary services to the upstream grid, like the demand–response, by exploiting the available infrastructure and the energy resources. Then, the validation of the approach is reported by using a real-time simulation setup with accurate models of the power electronic converters and related local controllers, of the grid infrastructure, of the power flow controller, and of the communication network used for data exchange. It is also shown that the implemented platform allows to fully reproduce, analyze, and finally validate all the relevant steady-state and dynamic behaviors related in the considered scenario.