Design, Testing, and Implementation of a Microgrid Controller Using IEC 61131-3

This paper presents a microgrid controller that was designed and implemented using the IEC 61131-3 standard. IEC 61131-3 is a standardized programming language for industrial automation and controllers. The microgrid controller is capable of essential microgrid functionalities such as blackstart, island-mode operation, grid-mode operation, and transitions from island to grid and vice versa. The controller was programmed and implemented using a Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories SEL real-time automation controller RTAC 3555. The design and testing phase included a controller-hardware-in-the-loop testbed. The controller was field-tested on an industry-grade microgrid at real-scale. Experimental results show the performance of the microgrid controller under various operating conditions.