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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGSO0026
Title	Demonstration of Virtual Synchronous Machine control of a battery system
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Power and Storage Technologies 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given National Grid plc
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 June 2019
End Date	01 June 2020
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£275,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid plc (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , National Grid plc (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_NGSO0026
Objectives	This project will demonstrate a VSM control approach on an inverter-connected asset (a test battery) in a representative environment. The project partners have identified a proposed approach to VSM that is understood to meet the requirements of the VSM specification for battery technology with minimal modification to existing convertor or battery hardware. For this project, they will provide a physical battery and convertor (0.6MW scale) with this control approach installed, together with RMS and EMT models reflecting the design. This provides the first opportunity to combine simulation analysis and testing of an actual physical design to ensure it realizes the intended specification.The project will conduct a range of tests: Voltage step tests Fault ride through with actual physical faults deployed Multiple fault ride-through event test Frequency step tests Frequency events Phase angle step change tests. Combined frequency and voltage depressions Trial black-start energisation of PNDC network via the VSM-controlled Battery. The precise conditions of the above tests will be flexed within the limits of time and resource available with the intention to ensure the performance of VSM is demonstrated without the effect of embedded protection or control elements acting to override that performance. Across the tests there will be the capability within the PNDC to replicate the test in a parallel simulation study in an EMT modelling environment and an RMS modelling environment. The project will compare the delivered test performance to a simulated test behaviour as seen in a RMS study via DIgSILENT modelling and in a EMT simulation via PSCAD using DIgSILENT and PSCAD models provided by the project partners. This will provide assurance that they are displaying the same behaviour as the physical battery connected displays, and compare also to simulated synchronous generator behaviour.From the range of tests the key “litmus tests of VSM” will be identified, which can then be developed more broadly to inform future process and data exchange.The project is split into two parallel Work Plans WP 1.1. Simulation study for demonstrating the inertia emulation capability using the battery and inverter models WP 1.2. Testing the battery and inverters with the proposed controllers using physical network test environment Reports will be completed on the findings of each work package and made available at project completion. The project shall conduct a range of tests on an inverter connected to a battery with VSM convertor control on the Power Networks Demonstration Centres 11kV and LV isolated physical network. By testing physical performance in a controlled environment, it is possible to learn how best to demonstrate and facilitate VSM based solutions for batteries. This learning has the potential to inform the management of field trial and subsequent deployments of VSM-batteries into the whole system, to support higher levels of convertor-based technology within the GB system than would otherwise be possible. The project is expected to lead to the development of validated models for one approach to VSM control of batteries. The approach to testing and implementation of that approach clarified such, that industry will be able to take forward deployment.It is recognized that batteries are one of several technologies capable of deploying VSM or other relevant Grid supporting solutions being sought. This project is intended to act as a template for futurelarger scale innovation.
Abstract	The National Grid System Operator has produced a potential functional specification for grid supporting requirements within the Grid Code Virtual Synchronous Machine (VSM) expert working group. These may be provided by a range of potential approaches including traditional synchronous generation, supplementary measures such a flywheels and synchronous compensation. Another approach as discussed in the group is a VSM control philosophy applied to convertor-based technologies to meet this specification. Whilst the functional needs have been defined in the VSM work group these may be delivered in a variety of ways and our testing, modelling and specification needs to ensure appropriate performance is delivered. This requires innovative new testing and modelling approaches to be examined against the new technology options which have been proposed to ensure what is developed is helpful to both the operator and user.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	09/11/22