Real-time load emulator for implementation of smart meter data for operational planning

This paper presents the design and implementation of a programmable load emulator that has the ability to emulate the active power-versus-time load data collected using smart meters. This load emulator can then be used as for hard-ware-in-the loop implementation during the development phase of energy management algorithms. In addition, the developed load emulator can simultaneously be programmed to a certain reactive power-versus-time curve. Although directed towards the emulation of daily load profiles, the developed load emulator can be used to emulate electric vehicles charging stations that sometimes interact with the utility grid, shipboard power system loads and even short and medium term pulsed loads. Hence, real time algorithms proposed for complex systems can be tested and optimized with this hardware-in-the-loop facility. In order to realize these capabilities, a PWM controlled converter was designed. Moreover, a vector decoupling technique was used to decouple the active and reactive powers and control them independently. The active power was controlled using an added leg to the converter to have a regulated DC bus voltage so that several curves can be emulated simultaneously. The operation of the developed load emulator was tested in real time and showed a very fast and accurate response. Experimental results show the validity of the developed converter and its applicability for smart grid research when real time control and operation is essential.