Framework for real-time simulation of hardware in the loop applied to primary frequency control

This research paper proposes a framework to perform (hardware in the loop) HIL simulation in real-time (RT), the framework includes steps for the formulation of the Target RT Computer and Open Source System, which are important elements in RT modelling. In order to carry out tests, the implementation of the frequency response of a single area electric power system, including primary frequency control, is proposed. The electric power system was prepared to be implemented in the RT-Lab software that is compatible with MATLAB Simulink, in order to simulate in real-time with the Opal OP4510 device. Besides, the controller was designed in Simulink to be able to implement through the Arduino programming platform; they were also connected to work in HIL in RT. The results of the simulation and performance analysis show that for the case proposed with HIL, the primary control happens within a few seconds of the frequency variation. The control helps to reestablish the balance between the generated power and power demanded, thus stabilizing the system frequency. Elements formulated using this framework were successfully used in the primary frequency control.