Estimación de la carga optima de una red eléctrica AC/DC, con respaldo de planta de generación hibrida, simulada en OPAL-RT, con integración en tiempo real de paneles solares hardware in the loop

Abstract

Abstract. This work experimentally validates, in a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environment using OPAL-RT (OP5600/OP8660), an optimal energy management strategy for a hybrid AC/DC microgrid with real photovoltaic generation, battery storage, and a bidirectional AC/DC converter. The objective was to sustain stable and reliable operation under rapid variations in irradiance and demand. The methodology was implemented in phases: (i) wiring and calibration of analog interfaces (AI/AO); (ii) plant modeling (Thevenin-type battery, averaged converter, and low-voltage grid) with CPU/FPGA partitioning; (iii) development of two EMS versions—heuristic rules and linear optimization with a receding horizon; and (iv) a test campaign with EV-type load steps, fast-moving clouds, grid–island–grid transitions, and brief AC disturbances. The results show photovoltaic generation of 0.0598 kWh against a total demand of 0.0836 kWh, with no renewable curtailment; ENS = 0.0115 kWh persists, the DC-bus peak-to-peak ripple is 54.79%, I_bat,peak = 10 A, and 0.0036 equivalent battery cycles. The EMS achieved real-time execution with an average computation time of 0.2 ms (0.6 ms maximum). The study concludes that the HIL platform is suitable for validating real-time EMS strategies; mitigating DC-bus ripple and reducing ENS via predictive control and bus conditioning emerge as priority improvement avenues. Keywords: OPAL-RT, Hardware-in-the-Loop, AC/DC microgrid, energy management, optimization, EMS.