F R A U N H O F E R I N S T I T U T e for so l ar ener g y s y ste m s ise 1 2 1 PV power plant. 2 Megawatt Laboratory at Fraunhofer ISE. Megawatt laboratory Renewable Power Generating Units (PGUs) Lab Equipment play a crucial role in a stable and reliable 1.4 MW PV simulator (max. 2,000 V / electrical power grid. Their efficiency, quality and compliance with standards are decisive for them to be accepted by investors and grid operators. max. 1,760 A) “Low Voltage Ride Through“ (LVRT) test facility up to 1 MVA medium-voltage connection (20 kV) 20 kV / 255 – 1,000 / 1.25 MVA Our services include the characterization of adjustable transformer Fraunhofer Institute for various kinds of power electronic devices, Solar Energy Systems ISE such as PV inverters and Combined Heat Heidenhofstr. 2 and Power (CHP) generators up to several Field Test Equipment 79110 Freiburg, Germany MW. Our modern lab equipment combined mobile 4.5 MVA LVRT test container with long-term experience allows us to test 1 MWp ground-mounted PV array 30 kW three-phase grid simulator Dr. Olivier Stalter the compliance of PGUs with applicable Phone +49 761 4588-5467 standards and guidelines and measure their Measurement Equipment efficiency. In addition, we can provide a high-precision power analyzers up to Sönke Rogalla professional assessment of the test results Phone +49 761 4588-5454 and give advice on how to make further 5 kVA / 1 kV 60 – 5,000 A current transducers improvements. Roland Singer Phone +49 761 4588-5948 [email protected] www.ise.fraunhofer.de March 2014 Simulation and Analysis Software Furthermore, since detailed modeling and MATLAB® / Simulink®, PLECS® simulation of PGUs are mandatory today, PowerFactory we provide support in this field. We can evaluation tools for inverter models simulate both single inverters and large- advanced analyses tools for harmonic scale power plants. and LVRT 1 2 3 Measurements of Grid Conformity Furthermore, the business area Energy Simulation Services In general, national and international grid Efficient Power Electronics at Fraunhofer ISE Computer simulations are helpful for the connection guidelines (Germany, Italy, has access to outdoor facilities for the simulation of single PGUs and entire Power Spain, China, South Africa, etc.) require testing of PV, CHP and other large-scale Generating Systems (PGS). For example, all power generators to contribute to the PGUs. These facilities include a direct understanding the electrical active and safety and stability of the power grid. medium-voltage point of connection, a reactive power flows within a large-scale PV Therefore, not only PV inverters and CHP 1 MWp PV generator, fast internet access power plant and evaluating the interaction systems, but all other generators must fulfill and space for all kinds of devices and between PV inverters depending on the multiple requirements, including: systems to be tested. type of grid connection are often very active power control important. reactive power control In addition, a mobile 4.5 MVA LVRT test limits for harmonics and flicker container and a sophisticated, flexible Furthermore, dynamic PGU und PGS “Low Voltage Ride Through“ (LVRT) measurement system allow us to carry simulation models are required for grid out numerous R&D activities and grid connections in accordance with medium- conformity tests with various PGUs. voltage directives. Our team offers a wide The Megawatt Laboratory at Fraunhofer ISE represents an ideal infrastructure, with all range of simulation services for all these of the required testing equipment for the Efficiency Measurements specific needs. These services include: compliance of PGUs to various guidelines. Measuring the overall efficiency of a PV performance analysis of power A specially designed LVRT test facility allows inverter according to the EN 50530 includes electronic circuits and control inverter tests up to 1 MVA with real shorts the determination of: algorithms on the medium-voltage side and precise the conversion efficiency (power measurements. electronics circuit) the MPPT efficiency (accuracy of the Our test engineers regularly take part in inverter’s Maximum Power Point specialist workshops and standardization Tracker) committees. Therefore, we can offer first- development of generic and nongeneric inverter models for certification processes (in compliance with FGWTG4, etc.) validation of inverter models simulation of PV power plants for hand expertise on standardization issues and In order to measure the efficiency of guide our clients and partners through tests. large PV inverters, we have developed an In addition, we work with leading national automatic measurement system. It includes power plants for performance analysis and international certification agencies in a highly dynamic and controllable DC and troubleshooting the field of grid connection guidelines. source as a PV array simulator. This makes certification processes even more detailed simulation of PV it possible to simulate PV generators up Our team uses several simulation Based on our strong experience from the to 1.4 MW both under static and dynamic environments such as MATLAB® / Simulink®, testing and characterization of PGUs, irradiance conditions. In order to reach PLECS®, and PowerFactory. we also provide hardware and software the greatest measurement accuracy, we support for the development of converters use highly precise and calibrated power compliant with various guidelines. measurement devices. 1 PV array simulators. 2 High current bus-bars (2,500 A). 3 Mobile 4.5 MVA LVRT test container.