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DOE OSTI · 2569630

Real-Time Testbed for Smart Grid Recloser Controller

Weldert, Ethan [Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo MI (United States)]·Barnes, Nathaniel [Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo MI (United States)]·Islam, Asker Akil [Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo MI (United States)]
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Abstract

The growing need for a low voltage recloser has become apparent due to the rise in requirements for a smart grid. This includes more detailed management of power flow forward (towards load) and backward (towards generation), source synchronization in real time, more indepth fault responses, and the use of green energy. The SEL-651R-2 relay is a device that can manage these needs, especially in fault response and synchronization, and is commonly used in systems called microgrids. Microgrids are distribution level systems that are able to operate separated from the main grid, are typically installed much closer to the load(s), and are fed by distributed energy resources (DERs), such as wind, solar or diesel generators. The SEL-651R-2 is normally used in the field with presets operative settings, but the Western Michigan University (WMU) Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Secure, Efficient and Sustainable Energy Technology (WMU InterEnergy Center) wished to test this device in its range of capabilities for microgrid application. A Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) testbed was implemented and used through the Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) using the RSCAD software to test the SEL-651R-2's use cases and functions. The testbed includes a microgrid with interconnection to a larger main grid, and the relay is meant to control the recloser at the point of common coupling (PCC) between the main grid and microgrid. The testbed shows how basic protections, reclosing, and synchronization checks function when handling faults that affect both the microgrid and the main grid.

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24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATIONReal-time testbedrecloser controllerSEL-651R

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Weldert, Ethan [Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo MI (United States)], Barnes, Nathaniel [Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo MI (United States)], Islam, Asker Akil [Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo MI (United States)]. 2025-04-15. Real-Time Testbed for Smart Grid Recloser Controller. https://doi.org/10.2172/2569630

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