FPGA-based real-time Hardware-In-the-Loop simulator of a mini solar power station

Abstract

Nowadays as the technology is developing, the more complex the power electronics and its controls become, the more proper hardware tool is required for HIL (Hardware-In-the-Loop) simulation. The general aim of the presented work is developing a fast, reliable and scalable HIL simulation framework for the rapid prototyping of complex power electronic systems. There are at least three strong reasons for using HIL simulation during the development: i) reduction of development time, ii) safety and quality requirements, and iii) prevent costly and dangerous failures [1]. The subject of the paper is the development of such a real-time HIL simulator using an FPGA. The system to be modeled is a mini solar power station with energy storage, which means that it is a solar panels-fed battery charger power stage with the battery itself.