Dynamic Control and Orchestration of Integrated AC/DC Grids
Overcome the challenges of hybrid AC/DC grids with a powerful software solution that optimises performance, boosts reliability, and simplifies complexity.
Industry Challenge
As power grids increasingly integrate renewable energy sources, energy storage, and electric vehicles, there is a growing need for the merging of AC grids with downstream DC microgrids. These grids combine AC and DC distribution systems to enhance efficiency and support diverse energy inputs, however, the management of such hybrid grids presents several challenges.
Firstly, coordinating the operation of both AC and DC systems requires advanced control mechanisms to maintain stability and efficiency across both sides. Secondly, integrating various devices and ensuring seamless operation across multiple sites is complex.
In addition, real-time monitoring and control are crucial for managing power flows, ensuring voltage and frequency stability, and responding to fluctuations in load and generation, particularly from unpredictable renewable sources. The hybrid nature of these grids also introduces new points of failure, making resilience and fault management critical.
Finally, optimising the use of existing infrastructure while controlling costs remains a significant challenge in these increasingly complex systems.
Hybrid grid management
Solution
To address the challenges of hybrid AC/DC grids, SMPnet introduces a powerful software solution, designed to optimise grid performance, enhance reliability, and manage the complexity of these systems.
At the core of the solution are the real-time control capabilities of our Omega technology and the provision of millisecond-level control across the hybrid grid. This enables dynamic management of both AC and DC systems, ensuring synchronised operation even during fluctuations in load and generation.
Omega coordinates the dispatch of active and reactive power across the grid, optimising voltage and frequency stability. It offers precise control over multiple converters, which can dynamically switch between different modes of operation, such as active power dispatch and DC voltage regulation, depending on grid requirements. The solution can orchestrate multiple AC/DC converters, feeders, and DC-side resources like batteries, EV chargers, and PV systems, enabling seamless power routing and optimal resource allocation.
This ensures that these resources are used effectively for both grid support and power balancing.
Designed to enhance grid resilience, the solution includes real-time monitoring and control mechanisms that allow for quick adjustments in response to faults or other disturbances, maintaining grid stability even under contingency conditions, such as inverter trips or thermal stress on feeders. This comprehensive solution empowers utilities to efficiently manage integrated AC/DC grids, optimising performance while maintaining stability and resilience as renewable energy integration increases.
Delivering advanced management of hybrid AC/DC grids
Key Characteristics
- Seamless Control Mode Transitions: Quick and efficient transitions between control modes, such as active power dispatch and DC voltage regulation, ensuring stable operation during changes in both AC and DC sides.
- Dynamic 4-Quadrant Operation: Full 4-quadrant operation, allowing precise control of both active and reactive power, with multiple control modes including volt-var, watt-var, constant power factor, and frequency support services.
- Advanced DC-Side Management: Dynamic management of the DC side of the system, efficiently coordinating multiple DC-side resources such as batteries, ensuring stable DC bus voltage regulation and seamless integration of various DC inputs.
- Seamless Integration: Compatibility with existing systems (e.g., SCADA, DERMS, ADMS) and various communication protocols and standards (e.g., IEC 61850, DNP3, IEC 60860-104, CIM).
- Industry-Leading Standards Compliance: Compatibility with key standards and protocols, including IEEE Std 2030.7-2017 for microgrid controllers and IEEE 1547-2018 for converters and DERs.
- Contingency Handling: Prioritisation of power routing and adjustment of inverter dispatch in real-time to facilitate smooth transitions during any scenario, including faults and disconnections.
