Islanded Mode Response Verification of AC Microgrid under Symmetrical and Non-symmetrical Short Circuits

Abstract

The assumptions and parameters required in modeling a microgrid depend on the platform, among other variables. It is therefore pertinent to verify the response of a modeled testbed to establish its validity. This work reports on verification of the response of a wind turbines-based microgrid to symmetrical and non-symmetrical short circuits. The testbed consists of 2 units of 5.5 kW 400 V wind turbines capable of connecting to the utility. Short circuits are introduced at 6.00 second and withdrawn at 8.00 second, measuring the dynamic response of the testbed while the microgrid is in islanded mode alternately under voltage and reactive power control strategies. The response is shown to be consistent, symptomatic of the type of short circuit and therefore suitable for short circuit detection and diagnosis, verifying validity of the microgrid testbed. The testbed can therefore be used for short circuit related studies, design optimization and performance prediction.