Controller hardware-in-the-loop (C-HIL) testing of a hybrid control architecture for multi-feeder microgrids with heterogeneous generation

This paper designs and validates a control architecture for multi-feeder heterogeneous microgrids that supports seamless transitions across various topologically distinct modes. The validation process is carried out in a controller hardware-in-the-loop (C-HIL) testbed that integrates a real-time high-fidelity emulation of the microgrid power generation assets, the network, and the loads, and commercially available industrial-grade control hardware to implement the suite of controls. As the test system, we adopt the Banshee system, which is a radial three-feeder microgrid comprising heterogeneous resources including two synchronous generators (SGs), a grid following (GFL) inverter and a droop-based grid forming (GFM) inverter. The control architecture is hybrid in the sense that it implements both logic controls and continuous controls. The continuous controls ensure stability is maintained and include tie-line power controls, synchronization controls, secondary frequency control, and secondary voltage control, while the logic controls facilitate topology (mode) changes by opening and closing circuit breakers. Specifically, the logic controls enable: feeder islanding and re-connection, networking of multiple microgrids, and backfeeding power to islanded feeders through other grid-connected feeders for the 38 modes of the Banshee system.