Hardware in loop quasi-static simulations dedicated to evaluation of on-load tap changer distribution voltage regulators

• Published in: Electrical engineering 2024, Vol.106 (4), p.5189-5200
• Main Authors: Palma, Marcelle Alves Bezerra, da Rocha Alves Junior, José Eduardo, Taranto, Glauco Nery
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Control algorithms; Control equipment; Economics and Management; Electric power grids; Electrical Engineering; Electrical Machines and Networks; Energy distribution; Energy Policy; Engineering; Hardware-in-the-loop simulation; Original Paper; Performance evaluation; Power Electronics; Simulation; Simulators; Software; Source programs; Tap changers; Voltage regulators
• ISSN: 0948-7921; 1432-0487
• DOI: 10.1007/s00202-024-02249-3

This paper proposes a new approach for evaluating distribution voltage regulators using quasi-static hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation. Distribution voltage regulators are used to control the voltage using tap change transformers and are equipped with static control algorithms in order to accomplish different configurations of the distribution electric grid with typical load profiles. The growing penetration of renewable energy in electrical distribution systems is a great challenge for this equipment, and it becomes paramount that its measurement and control algorithms adapt to this new reality. Hardware-in-the-loop testing (HIL) techniques could be used for assessing the performance of the voltage regulator equipment. Most applications of HIL are concerned with accessing the dynamics of electrical system including not only grid modeling, but also the real equipment involved and should be used to test the efficiency of voltage regulation. However, a more simplified approach concerning the HIL tool could be applied to testing distribution voltage regulators in the laboratory prior to installation, evaluating the performance of algorithms and equipment by conducting quasi-static simulations. This paper presents this approach, joining NI LABVIEW laboratory controller software (National Instruments, LabVIEW. Available at https://www.ni.com/pt-br/support/downloads/software-products/download.labview.html#460283 , 2023) and an open-source program OpenDSS (The Electric Power Institute, OpenDSS. Available at em https://opendds.org/ , 2023). The effectiveness of quasi-static HIL platforms for assessing several aspects of static voltage tap regulators before installing them in the electric grid is demonstrated. The major advantage is the smaller computation complexity of a static simulations compared to dynamic simulators, allowing simpler hardware requirements. In this sense, a large number of medium to long term simulations could be easily performed providing a broader view of the behavior of the electric system including voltage regulators.