Electric VEhicles and Renewable generation Enabling STable islands in power distribution networks (EVEREST)

Intentional islands can bring significant performance benefits to distribution network operators, 
by enabling generation units to operate either connected or isolated from the local electricity 
distribution network. In the event of a power outage, intentional islands can provide electricity 
supply to isolated parts of the network while meeting operating and safety requirements. In this 
context, inverted-interfaced energy storage systems with grid-forming capabilities can facilitate 
operation of flexible stable islands. In principle, they can compensate for the intermittent nature 
of renewable energy sources, variations in the load energy consumption, and deviations from 
normal operating conditions. In practice, however, their ability to meet the requirements for in
tentional island mode operation and form stable islands in power distribution networks must be 
verified. 
EVEREST project is aimed at investigating the ability of a small-scale inverter-interfaced battery 
storage system with grid-forming capability to contribute to the formation of stable islands within 
power distribution networks. Key objectives include investigation of the ability of a small-scale 
grid-forming inverter to (1) remain in operation during an intentional islanding event and (2) 
comply with voltage and frequency requirements for intentional controlled island mode opera
tion. These requirements include provision of reactive power and voltage support, mandatory 
voltage and frequency tripping, and frequency droop in island mode operation, as well as seam
less operation in grid-connected and intentional island modes. 
This report describes the Lab Access User Project information, starting with an overview of the 
research motivation and state-of-the-art literature review (Section 2). Previous works looking 
into grid support service provision by distributed energy resources, including groups of electric 
vehicles plus renewable distributed generation, are described. 
Next, the experimental setup, executed tests, and data management strategy (Section 3) are 
presented. Different tests have been conducted to investigate the stability of the proposed grid
forming battery storage solution and its compliance with grid code requirements over a range of 
scenarios. 
Afterwards, selected experimental results and discussions are presented (Section 4), followed 
by open issues and suggestions for improvements (Section 5). Findings indicate that the pro
posed grid-forming battery storage solution remains stable and in compliance with grid code 
requirements in most of the tested operating conditions. Overall, the results are encouraging 
and provide a starting point for a comprehensive assessment of the interoperability of grid
forming distributed energy resources and distributed grid support service provision in low carbon 
energy systems.