Droop control in a mechanical power grid simulator

Teaching electrical network control problems, such as droop control in power systems, is challenging (in part) because electrical systems are difficult to effectively visualize. Existing approaches do not generally provide students with an effective, intuitive understanding of the concepts. To address this problem, this paper describes a mechanical power grid simulator, MechGrid, and the development of a distributed primary frequency (droop) control system for MechGrid. This system provides the opportunity for hands-on and exploratory lab experiments for students learning frequency droop control. The paper presents the design of a motor controller board based on the Arduino platform, which implements a droop control system with adjustable parameters. An example laboratory experiment is then presented to demonstrate the operation of the control system and its usefulness as a teaching tool. Learning objectives for this lab are also discussed with emphasis on the benefits of the MechGrid platform for teaching droop control concepts.