Fraunhofer IWES and ABB developing world’s largest mobile grid simulator

The mobile grid simulator - part of the Mobil-Grid-CoP project - will be used to test the safety and reliability of renewable energy equipment, including wind turbines, solar power and hydroelectric generators, in real-world conditions. According to ABB, the test program will verify that a renewable project connecting to a public power network is fully compliant with local grid codes and will not compromise grid performance and stability.

In a statement, Chris Poynter, division president, ABB System Drives, added: “As part of our drive towards a low-carbon society, increasing the availability of renewable energy equipment for use within the power grid is key. We also need to establish how to operate this equipment as safely, reliably and of course, energy efficiently as possible – this is where the extensive testing capabilities of the mobile grid simulator will add huge value.”

The mobile grid simulator will use ABB’s ACS6080 Power Electronics Grid Simulator (PEGS) technology to create an artificial power grid on site. Fraunhofer IWES will use the system to simulate different grid operating modes, including fault conditions, as well as validating compliance with standards.