HIL-based Digital Twin of Grid-connected Prosumer of a LVAC Residential Microgrid

Abstract

Testing and operating microgrid systems can be time-consuming and expensive in microgrid labs. To address these challenges, this paper deals with a physical-based model digital twin of a prosumer within an existing microgrid lab, emulating a house with photovoltaic (PV) production. For this purpose, physical-based models are adopted over data-driven models due to their accuracy, robustness, interpretability, and flexibility for scenario exploration and control design. The paper provides an overview of the microgrid system and details the modeling of the prosumer system, including power and control circuits. The implementation of the digital twin using hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) real-time implementation on the Opal-RT hardware platform is described. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the mathematical models in replicating the behavior of the prosumer system. Future research directions include expanding the digital twin to incorporate the other microgrid components and investigating advanced control strategies.