FEN DC-Sek: Control and Automation of Hybrid AC/DC Distribution Grids, with consideration of Cyber-physical Security Aspects

 

High integration of power electronics-interfaced distributed energy resources (DER) is a key factor of the energy transition in the modern power systems. This can be facilitated through DC systems, integrated in the existing AC distribution grids, forming hybrid AC/DC networks.

 

In this context, ACS participates in the Research Campus for Flexible Electrical Networks (FEN), performing research activities on hybrid AC/DC networks. In the framework of FEN, the institute leads the project “Control and Automation of Hybrid AC/DC Distribution Grids, with consideration of Cyber-physical Security Aspects” (DC-Sek), funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBW). Other partners contributing to the research in the project are PGS (RWTH), OPAL-RT Germany, EATON and Kiepe Electric.The project started in May 2020 and runs for 5 years, covering the following research areas:

Control Structures and Strategies for AC/DC Distribution Grids

(ACS, PGS, EATON, OPAL-RT Germany)

• Converter-level control for DC/DC and AC/DC converters (grid-forming, grid-feeding, grid-supporting controllers)
• System-level control for local distribution grids
• Islanding and ancillary services in grid-connection
• Stability analysis of control structures and strategies
• Power flow control between local distribution grids – Optimal power flow in AC/DC distribution grids

Automation Systems for AC/DC Distribution Grids considering Cyber-security

(ACS, Kiepe Electric)

• Monitoring systems (state-estimation, sensors location, synchronisation of measurements)
• Data models and communications systems
• Visualisation techniques
• Detection algorithms for cyber-attacks
• Countermeasures for cyber-attacks

Hardware Validation of Control and Automation for Local AC/DC Distribution Grids

(OPAL-RT Germany, ACS, PGS, EATON)

• Techniques for modelling and RT simulations of multi-converter systems
• Digital controllers
• (Power)-Hardware-in-the-Loop validation of developed control and automation systems
• Implementation and testing in real grid (FEN research grid)

 

Grateful acknowledgement is made to BMBF (German Federal Ministry of Education and Research) for providing financial support under the grant agreement no. 03SF0594.