Applications for PHIL

There are numerous applications where Power Hardware in the Loop (PHIL) can be a solution. We highlight some of them:

Inverters for solar energy systems: A PHIL setup can be used to test the performance of an inverter for solar energy systems. The inverter is integrated into a real-time model that will simulate the solar power system and the power grid. This allows the performance of the inverter to be evaluated under different loads, operating conditions and weather conditions.

Energy storage systems: consider batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells. When testing these storage systems with PHIL, real battery modules or fuel cells are integrated with a simulation model of the system in which the battery is used. Different scenarios can easily be simulated to test a battery’s battery management system (BMS) for performance and safety. PHIL can also be used to test and optimise battery system charging and discharging algorithms. By integrating real batteries with power system or grid simulation models, engineers can simulate different charging and discharging scenarios and evaluate battery performance.

Electric vehicles: PHIL setups can also be used to test and validate electric vehicles. In this case, the vehicle’s battery, motor and voltage converters are integrated into the real-time simulation models that will simulate the physical properties of the road, driver and power grid. This allows the vehicle’s performance and behaviour to be analysed under these different operating conditions.

Wind turbines: A PHIL setup also provides a solution to test and validate wind turbines. In this application, the turbine and control algorithm are integrated with real-time simulation models of the wind power and direction, and the power grid the wind turbine is connected to This allows the performance and behaviour of the wind turbine to be analysed under different weather conditions, loads and power grid situations.

Industrial automation: PHIL is also applied in the industrial automation sector to test complex control systems. It can be used to validate robotics, motion control systems, process automation and other industrial control applications.

Grid stability: PHIL setups can be used to test and validate the stability of power grids. In this case, real-time simulation models of the power network and loads are integrated with physical equipment such as generators and inverters. This then allows us to analyse the performance and behaviour of the network under different loads and disturbances.
Network management systems: Testing and validation of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and DMS (Distribution Management System) systems is also among the capabilities. By integrating real-time simulation models of the network and loads with physical equipment such as switchgear, power controllers and sensors, different scenarios can be simulated and tested to analyse the operation and performance of network management systems.

Smart Grids: PHIL provides a solution here by testing and validating the operation and performance of smart grids. By integrating real-time simulation models of the grid and loads with physical equipment such as a connected electric cars, solar energy systems and battery for energy storage. Thus, all scenarios can be simulated and tested to analyse and optimise network performance.