Test and Validation Procedures and Services

New technologies as needed for the realization of DC grids need to be tested in an early stage of development and early adoption but also need to be tested with respect to standards and grid code compliance for certification. Within this task test and validation procedures will be proposed and implemented to enable such test and validation services. Potential applications will be novel, fast power electronic based DC circuit breakers and power converters for MVDC and LVDC as well as automation implementations via real-time simulation interfaces used in hardware-in-the-loop methods.

This document gives an overview on the HYPERRIDE-relevant test equipment and test procedures available at the partners sides and some other relevant sides. In what follows, a breakdown of LVDC, MVDC, and HVDC topics is used to summarise findings and requirements for this Deliverable.

In case of LVDC research and testing facilities, several well-equipped laboratory setups are already existing among HYPERRIDE partners, as can be seen in descriptions in Section 2. However, more advanced and more complex testing infrastructure is necessary to cover urgent needs for matching the demand of industry and for meeting the requirements necessary to ingrate DC system and components into existing grids.

For low MVDC topics, several facilities show distinct laboratory setups and well-equipped infrastructure for appropriate testing. The Fraunhofer IISB and the Center of Advanced Power Systems (CAPS) both have flexible test benches and supply connections in order to execute MVDC tests in the MW-range, as shown in Sections 3.1 and 3.2. Reconfigurable and high bandwidth amplification units provide the possibility to link the hardware setup for conduct real-time based HIL testing.

In case of HVDC applications, the research facility of Hydro Quebec shows the ability to conduct laboratory testing. As described in Section 3.3, a full-scale distribution test line test setup and a flexible real-time setup for HIL testing has been developed. Similar or comparable building blocks for higher MVDC testing are still missing at HYPERRIDE partners. For this purpose, the project "DC Hub Austria" has been recently initiated in order to assess planning and installing testing infrastructure for testing DC grids rated up to 60 kV combined with large-scale power (MW-class).

Based on findings in the HYPERRIDE project, it has to be summed up that large-scale pilot projects are missing on a European level. This goes along with a lack of cost-effective usecases, lower technical readiness levels as well as insufficient normative frameworks which are not or not well applicable for the integration of DC applications in existing AC- or hybrid AC/DC distribution grids. This is valid for in particular for MVDC application, in which appropriate system requirements for high DC voltage (insulation level) combined with high power levels are necessary. Partly, these standards or guidelines have not been developed yet. For some DC applications, recommendations and guidelines for DC grid implementations could be identified (Jambrich & Fuchs, 2021) and other activities are still ongoing (CIRED WG 2021-1 "DC and hybrid DC/AC distribution networks integration").

In general, the harmonisation of existing normative frameworks or technical guidelines shows increased importance. Combined efforts are done to harmonise different system concepts for DC industry components and systems on an IEC level. For this purpose, networks and collaborations with international research and industrial partners are essential and first steps are already initiated (CIRED and CIGRE WGs with final reports and technical brochures).