System Description

This testbed is built to realize and demonstrate the SYNDEM (synchronized and democratized) smart grid framework. There are in total 8 nodes, including 2 nodes for grid connection, 1 ac load, 1 dc load, 2 solar power nodes, and 2 wind power nodes. These nodes are operated as VSMs (virtual synchronous machines) and connected together to form an AC microgrid, which is connected to the utility grid through the two grid-connection nodes. These VSMs, whether at the generator side or at the load side, work together to regulate the frequency and voltage of the AC microgrid  in a synchronized and democratized manner. The testbed also contains two solar simulators and two wind simulators.

The SYNDEM smart grid testbed

• Utility — The utility is the power grid of the Illinois Institute of Technology. The testbed is connected to the local grid through two VSMs, in order to increase the power capacity that can be transferred between the testbed and the local grid.
• Generators — Solar panels are emulated by dc/dc converters that can generate voltage and current according to the V-I curve of a solar panel. Wind simulators are emulated by ac/dc/ac converters that that can generate voltage and current according to the V-I curve of a wind turbine with power taken from the utility grid.
• Loads — The testbed has one ac load and one dc load, which are both flexible.