Smart Grid Simulation Including Communication Network: A Hardware in the Loop Approach

Smart grids are complex electrical systems made up of power devices and communication systems that interact with each other, both locally through measures and generally through the exchange of information on communication networks. In this article, the simulation of a smart grid including the emulation of the communication network behavior together with the physical hardware devices is proposed using hardware-in-the-loop methodology. The original aspect of the technique is related to the fact that the models are generated in a tool that is independent of the real-time simulator using a model-based design approach, and then the code is generated and deployed in a real-time simulator coupled with hardware devices such as low voltage protection units. The proposed framework is used to test the protection coordination that employs the IEC-61850 communication protocol. A test case is shown demonstrating the coordination of switches and the emulation of the PV system in hardware-in-the-loop, focusing on the implementation of the interface algorithm over Ethernet using the UDP communication protocol.