Controller hardware in the loop testing of microgrid secondary frequency control schemes

Abstract This paper describes a controller hardware-in-the loop (C-HIL) approach for testing centralized and distributed secondary frequency control schemes of AC microgrids operating in islanded mode. We describe the formulation of the secondary frequency control problem and the theory behind the centralized and distributed implementations of the control schemes. Then, we describe the testbed utilized for C-HIL testing activities. Finally, we provide the testing results that compare the performance (in terms of the system response time), and resilience (in terms of withstanding the failure of a control device), of both schemes.