Development and test facilities for grid-connected Distributed Energy Resources

This paper describes a test facility designed and operated by MTechnology, Inc. (MTech) for development and testing of grid-connected Distributed Energy Resources (DER). The facility is capable of testing inverters, loads, and related DER connection equipment up to 500 kVA, with an upgrade to 2000 kVA in progress. The facility includes simulation, desktop test equipment, benchtop test fixtures that utilize full-scale hardware operated at reduced voltage and current, synthetic grid testing at full power and under transient and fault conditions, and direct connection to the local utility network. Energy storage is available for the synthetic grid so that fault testing can be conducted without disturbing the local utility network. Data acquisition and data management are particularly important in development testing. The paper concludes with a summary of lessons learned from a variety of development and test efforts.