Experimental Platform P-HIL for BESS-Interfaced Active Distribution Grids

Power Hardware in the Loop (P-HIL) systems and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are essential tools in the transition to a more sustainable and efficient energy matrix. These systems work together to analyze the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources to improve the stability and reliability of electrical grids. This, in turn, contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the development of a low-carbon economy. This paper presents an experimental working platform and real-time simulation based on P-HIL technology and scaled power electronics prototypes. The platform allows the analysis of the interaction of BESS devices in electrical distribution grids. A case study is presented to demonstrate the combination of two main qualities of a BESS: improving voltage stability and reducing peak demand. To this end, an experimental 1 kW BESS consisting of a Dual Active Bridge (DAB) and a Voltage Source Converter (VSC) is connected to a 13-bus IEEE distribution network. The attained results demonstrate the ability of the platform to bridge two areas of electrical engineering and highlight its significant advantages.