A new real time hydraulic test platform dedicated to Ancillary Services

Abstract

Characterization of Hydraulic turbines, storage pumps and pump-turbines is a well-known process formalized in the IEC60193 standard. Test platforms ensure the acceptance of hydraulic design with respect to hydraulic transpositions such as efficiency, range of operation, cavitation, stability etc. These test platforms only focuses on the static operation of a turbine. The HydroPHIL platform - which stands for Power Hardware In the Loop for Hydro-electrical conversion - focuses on studying transients operations of Pump Storage Plants. It includes a fully operational scale model of a hydraulic units from water to wire. The scaled model interacts with a real time grid emulator and a real time penstock emulator. The test platform allows the simulation of technologies in relevant environment related to three main topics of investigation: a) system behavior study, whether it is solicited by the grid (frequency or voltage dips, etc.) or the piping system (water hammer, etc.) b) new conversion technologies with real electrical components (such as variable speed PSP), and c) development of new control strategies to improve provision of ancillary services and other flexibility services. This paper presents the platform architecture and features.