Performance analysis of distributed control algorithms using a hardware in the loop testbed

The benefits of a smart grid system greatly depends on the efficient implementation of the power delivery system utilizing the data communication infrastructure. This makes it necessary to have a co-simulation platform to test the enabling technology. The Hardware in the loop testbed (HIL-TB) at the Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS) is a cyber-physical testbed that provides a real time co-simulation platform for testing the smart grid operations and control. Due to the inherent complexity involved in initializing and running the individual components of the HIL-TB, the testbed is typically inaccessible and is mostly used for demonstrating only a single test scenario. As the test setup involves manual intervention, the idea of repeatability is lost.;The aim of this thesis is to address the above raised concerns related to HIL-TB. The objective is to develop a methodology to perform comprehensive testing and analysis of distributed control algorithms that are developed for smart grid power systems. In order to quantify the effect of the algorithm on the underlying power system, it is necessary to develop metrics. This also allows the comparison of various algorithms and assess the effect on different feeder configurations. To verify the system level functionality for different operating conditions, the factors affecting the system performance are determined. The values for these factors needs to be chosen intelligently to maximize the accuracy and minimize the number of experiments.;The HIL-TB validation framework presented in this thesis is built based on the principles of design of experiments. The framework provides a platform for the assessment of the control algorithms that would help de-risk the effects of the new techniques on the power system.