FPGA-Based modelling and embedded real-time simulation of low-voltage DC distribution system with multiple DESs

Abstract

Due to the complicated structure and vast number of components, the embedded real-time simulation of low-voltage DC (LVDC) distribution system with multiple distributed energy sources (DESs) has higher requirements on integration and efficiency. To this end, this paper develops an embedded real-time simulator for LVDC distribution system using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA). Firstly, the entire simulation system is decomposed into several parallel subsystems, and the complex operations in each subsystem are fully factorized by adopting Algorithm Architecture Adequation (AAA) methodology. It ensures the computational efficiency of the simulator and reduces the impact of internal resource constraints on simulation scale and accuracy. Next, a novel FPGA-based real-time hierarchical distributed power management system (DPMS) considering the characteristics of different DESs is built. It makes full use of the parallel computing performance of FPGA to maintain the stable operation of the simulation system. Accordingly, the actual LVDC distribution system operating conditions can be presented more comprehensively, extending the application field of the developed simulator. For instance, it can be integrated into the control loop alongside a system-level controller or optimizer to observe, evaluate or predict the state information of the controlled system in real time for them, thereby enhancing the perception of the controller or optimizer. Then the embedded real-time simulator for a LVDC distribution system with a simulation step size of 2μs is achieved in a single FPGA. Lastly, several typical case studies show that the 2-norm relative errors of the computed results of the simulator are <1e-3, which validate the numerical performance and accuracy of the developed simulator.