Smart Energy System Control Laboratory – a fully-automated and user-oriented research infrastructure for controlling and operating smart energy systems

Abstract In the present paper, we introduce the Smart Energy System Control Laboratory (SESCL) as a fully-automated and user-oriented research infrastructure for controlling and operating smart energy systems in the context of a microgrid-under-test setting. SESCL’s high level of automation and capacity to fully function in a grid-decoupled way allow for the study and evaluation of yet-to-be-developed tools and algorithms for energy technologies and grid control strategies on the edge of system stability, but in a safe environment. In the context of various European Smart Grid Laboratories, the new concept and specifications of SESCL are outlined in depth. The key advantages of SESCL are highlighted as (i) the provisioning of a fully-automated busbar matrix to provide a very flexible and adjustable microgrid topology; (ii) the capability of load shedding or integration of grid participants, as well as changing the microgrid topology on demand; (iii) and the possibility to control and modify setpoints and operating parameters of grid participants during runtime. Inspired by real-world events in island grids, the islanding of a microgrid is utilized as a use case to illustrate the capabilities of the SESCL research infrastructure.