Modeling and real-time simulation of an AC microgrid with solar photovoltaic system

With the increasing growth of renewable energy sources, it is important to understand and analyze its effect on the overall power system. The real-time simulation is a platform that allows virtual plant and controller to be thoroughly investigated before they can be implemented in an actual system. In a valid real-time simulation, the virtual model closely resembles its physical counterpart. It promotes flexibility of operation, faster simulation with no risk of component failure under any contingency analysis. This paper presents modeling and simulation of an AC microgrid with a solar photovoltaic system, in a real time environment using HYPERSIM from Opal-RT. The photovoltaic system is connected to a 15 node test distribution network to examine its interaction with the AC grid. Various case studies like steady state operation, step changes in irradiation, generation outage, and three-phase to the ground fault have been carried out in the real time simulator, HYPERSIM. This preliminary real-time electrical transients simulation with the modeled AC microgrid can be useful for beginners in this field, using HYPERSIM.