Community Microgrid Controller Evaluation using Hardware-in-the-Loop Testbed

This paper introduces a controller hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) microgrid testbed that is built to allow not only dynamic validation, but performance evaluation of community microgrid controllers. The performance metrics and evaluation methodology are developed related to efficiency, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, economics and reliability. The real-time community microgrid model is developed to adapt to extended time-domain simulation that includes the voltage and frequency dynamics of the microgrid components. A hybrid testbed configuration is described to demonstrate the capability of controller integration, testing automation and post-processing analysis. Case studies based on an actual utility distribution system are presented to demonstrate the functionality of the microgrid testbed as well as the effectiveness of the evaluation methodology.