The Combined Energy Lab - A test environment for testing μCHPs in grid-connected and islanded mode of operation

In Germany the electrical power system changes fundamentally. New technologies like Micro Combined Heat and Power Plants (μCHPs), heat pumps or photovoltaic systems are connected to the low (LV) and medium voltage (MV) level. These lead to active distribution networks and the possibility to implement mini-grids. To evaluate the influence of these devices to the system a test environment was designed in which μCHPs could be tested. The environment enables the emulation of grid-connected and islanded mode of operation with a power system emulator under consideration of thermal loads. In this paper the electrical power system and thermal network emulator are described in detail. In a first step the corresponding research project is explained and following the working principle and the key facts of the Combined Energy Lab (CEL) are shown. The structure of the power system emulator is described and different challenges are pointed out. Finally the derivable application possibilities are presented.