Testing of Power Electronic Modules for Distributed Systems at the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission

Testing of new technologies before field deployment is crucial to gain acceptance by electric utilities, in particular, of distributed generation based on high power electronic modules. The NCREPT 13.8kV 6MVA Test Facility at the University of Arkansas offers an advanced test platform designed to meet the needs of complex high power electronics testing for several distributed energy applications. NCREPT could be also employed as a test platform for compliance of IEEE 1547 and UL 1741 standards. This paper describes the center capabilities and some potential test applications such evaluation of grid-connected inverters supporting energy storage systems.