Real-Time Coupling of Geographically Distributed Research Infrastructures: Taxonomy, Overview, and Real-World Smart Grid Applications

IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 12, pp. 1747–1760

Abstract

Novel concepts enabling a resilient future power system and their subsequent experimental evaluation are experiencing a steadily growing challenge: large scale complexity and questionable scalability. The requirements on a research infrastructure (RI) to cope with the trends of such a dynamic system therefore grow in size, diversity and costs, making the feasibility of rigorous advancements questionable by a single RI. Analysis of large scale system complexity has been made possible by the real-time coupling of geographically separated RIs undertaking geographically distributed simulations (GDS), the concept of which brings the equipment, models and expertise of independent RIs, in combination, to optimally address the challenge. This article presents the outputs of IEEE PES Task Force on Interfacing Techniques for Simulation Tools towards standardization of GDS as a concept. First, the taxonomy for setups utilized for GDS is established followed by a comprehensive overview of the advancements in real-time couplings reported in literature. The overview encompasses fundamental technological design considerations for GDS. The article further presents four application oriented case studies (real-world implementations) where GDS setups have been utilized, demonstrating their practicality and potential in enabling the analysis of future complex power systems.

Authors 9

1. Mazheruddin Hussain Syed

   University of Strathclyde

   Affiliation as printed

   Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K

   Institute for Energy and Environment, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K

2. Efrén Guilló-Sansano

   University of Strathclyde

   Affiliation as printed

   Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K

   Institute for Energy and Environment, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K

3. Yu Wang

   Nanyang Technological University

   Affiliation as printed

   Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

4. Steffen Vogel Aachen Institute for Automation of Complex Power System

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Automation of Complex Power System, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

5. Peter Pálenský

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Electrical Sustainable Energy Department, Intelligent Electrical Power Grids Group, TU Delft, Delft, AA, The Netherlands

6. Graeme Burt

   University of Strathclyde

   Affiliation as printed

   Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K

   Institute for Energy and Environment, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K

7. Yan Hui Xu

   Nanyang Technological University

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

8. Antonello Monti

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Electrical Sustainable Energy Department, Intelligent Electrical Power Grids Group, TU Delft, Delft, AA, The Netherlands

9. Rob O. Hovsapian

   National Laboratory of the Rockies

   Affiliation as printed

   National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA