GE DMC490 Software Configuration Manual

Download

Grid Solutions

DMC490

Microgrid Controller

Software Configuration Guide

SWM0091

Version 1.00, Revision

Information

are trademarks and service marks of

The information contained in this online publication is the exclusive property of General Electric Company, except as otherwise indicated. You may view, copy and print documents and graphics incorporated in this online publication (the “Documents”) subject to the following: (1) the Documents may be used solely for personal, informational, non-commercial purposes; (2) the Documents may not be modified or altered in any way; and (3) General Electric Company withholds permission for making the Documents or any portion thereof accessible via the internet. Except as expressly provided herein, you may not use, copy, print, display, reproduce, publish, license, post, transmit or distribute the Documents in whole or in part without the prior written permission of General Electric Company.

The information contained in this online publication is proprietary and subject to change without notice. The software described in this online publication is supplied under license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.

Trademark Notices

GE and

* Trademarks of General Electric Company.

Cisco is a registered trademark of Cisco Corporation. Hyperterminal is a registered trademark of Hilgraeve, Incorporated. IEC is a registered trademark of Commission Electrotechnique Internationale. IEEE and POSIX are registered trademarks of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. Internet Explorer, Microsoft, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. JAVA is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation, Modbus is a registered trademark of Schneider Automation, Inc. Netscape is a registered trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation. SEL is a registered trademark of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

Other company or product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

General Electric Company.

Security Notice

Many of the DMC490’s network services are unauthenticated and unencrypted (for example, DNP3/TCP Master). It is the user’s responsibility to ensure these services are protected from unauthorized use.

Even though the DMC490 includes a host firewall, it is recommended that an external network firewall be placed on the electronic security perimeter as an additional layer of protection.

Purpose

This guide provides detailed information on how to configure the software of the Multilin DMC490 Microgrid Controller.

Intended Audience

This document is a resource for utility personnel and system engineers who are implementing the DMC490 for a microgrid, and protection engineers who are controlling network devices. It is intended for readers who have knowledge of substation automation equipment and applications.

About this Document

Additional Documentation

For further information about the DMC490, refer to the following documents.

• D400 Substation Gateway Instruction Manual (994-0089)

• D400 Substation Gateway Software Configuration Guide (SWM0066 V5.2)

• D400 V5.20 online Help (includes D400 configuration tool online Help)

How to Use this Guide

For most operational features, refer to the documents listed above.

For information specific to the Microgrid Controller (MGC) feature, see the details provided in this manual (SWM0091).

The DMC490 employs sophisticated applications that contain many advanced features and capabilities. To successfully configure and operate the DMC490 for your environment, it is highly recommended that you work through this entire guide and the D400 Substation Gateway Software Configuration Guide (SWM0066 V5.2).

If you need assistance, contact General Electric Company GE Grid Solutions Technical Support.

In configuration tables, “N/A” in the “Default” column indicates there is no default setting provided, and “X” indicates the number is automatically incremented.

Document Conventions

This guide uses the Systeme International (SI) and the Microsoft® Manual of Style as a basis for styles and conventions.

The following typographic conventions are used throughout this manual.

Bold face is used for:

– Names of software program menus, editors, and dialog boxes; also for the names of

menu commands, keyboard keys, icons and desktop shortcuts, and buttons and fields in editors and dialog boxes

– Names of hardware components – User input that must be typed exactly

Italic face is used for:

– Emphasis – Cross-references to sections, figures and tables within this manual and for titles of

other documents

– File and directory names; examples of directory paths are generally given in the

Windows form

– Placeholders for user input that is specific to the user. May also include angle

brackets around the placeholder if the placeholder is already in italic text. For example, c:\<product>\product.def

– References to a setting or field value shown

The software-related procedures in this guide are based on using a computer running

Windows

XP. Some steps and dialog boxes may vary slightly if you are using another version

of Windows.

Safety words and definitions

Before attempting to install or use the device, review all safety indicators in this document to help prevent injury, equipment damage or downtime.

The following safety and equipment symbols are used in this document:

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death

or serious injury.

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death

or serious injury.

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor

or moderate injury.

Indicates practices that are not related to personal injury.

If you need help with any aspect of your GE Grid Solutions product, you can:

• Access the GE Grid Solutions Web site

• Search the GE Technical Support library

• Contact Technical Support

GE Grid Solutions Web Site

The GE Grid Solutions Web site provides fast access to technical information, such as manuals, release notes and knowledge base topics. Visit us on the Web at: http://www.gegridsolutions.com

GE Technical Support Library

Product Support

This site serves as a document repository for post-sales requests. To get access to the Technical Support Web site, go to: http://sc.ge.com/*SASTechSupport

Contact Technical Support

The GE Grid Solutions Technical Support is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for you to talk directly to a GE representative. In the U.S. and Canada, call toll-free: 1 800 547 8629 International customers, please call: +1 905 927 7070 or email to multilin.tech@ge.com

Have the following information ready to give to Technical Support:

• Ship to address (the address that the product is to be returned to)

• Bill to address (the address that the invoice is to be sent to)

• Contact name

• Contact phone number

• Contact fax number

• Contact e-mail address

• Product number / serial number

• Description of problem

Technical Support will provide you with a case number for your reference.

Table of Contents

DMC490 Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 1 -

Application Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 8

Microgrid Overview................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Microgrid Controller Setup ............................................................................................................................................................................... 16

DMC490 Configuration ......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 2 -

DMC490 Operation Modes .............................................................................................................................................................................. 17

Configuration Overview .................................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Configure Electrical Assets .............................................................................................................................................................................. 20

Configure Thermal Assets ................................................................................................................................................................................ 34

Configure System Settings .............................................................................................................................................................................. 40

Health Status and Monitoring .......................................................................................................................................... 45 Chapter 3 -

Forecasts ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 46 Chapter 4 -

Common Forecast Settings ............................................................................................................................................................................. 46

Forecasts for Renewables ............................................................................................................................................................................... 47

Forecasts for Electrical Load .......................................................................................................................................................................... 47

Forecasts for Grid Buy Price ........................................................................................................................................................................... 48

Forecasts for Grid Sell Price ............................................................................................................................................................................ 48

Forecasts for Heat Load ................................................................................................................................................................................... 48

Forecast Value Update Procedure .............................................................................................................................................................. 48

vii

DMC490 Overview Chapter 1 -

The DMC490 Microgrid Controller:

• Controls and monitors a microgrid

• Optimizes the dispatch of electrical generation, thermal generation, and energy storage to minimize

operating cost

Application Overview

The Microgrid Controller optimizes the dispatch of electrical generation, thermal generation, and energy storage to minimize operating cost. It operates in a supervisory mode, issuing on/off and dispatch commands every few minutes. The MGC works in a grid-connected or standalone microgrid.

Up to 32 electrical and heating resources are supported, including the following:

• Renewable, such as wind turbines, hydro, solar panels

• Dispatchable generators, such as diesel generators

• Combined heat and power (CHP) generation, or cogeneration

• Heating elements, such as boilers

• Storage, specifically hydrogen-based and batteries

• Utility grid connections

The block diagram of Figure 1 shows the microgrid approach. When the resources include Modbus server functionality, the UR controllers are unnecessary. For example, when a wind turbine is added to the microgrid and it has Modbus server capability, a UR controller is not needed for it.

Figure 1 Microgrid approach – Block Diagram

The storage can be short or long-term:

• Short-term storage functions of the MGC help in step-load changes resulting from load-generation

variations or in transferring to an islanded microgrid.

• Long-term storage from tens of minutes to several hours helps during peak demand periods and in

shifting power generation to environmentally-friendly renewable sources.

DMC490 Overview

Microgrid Overview

The Microgrid Controller controls microgrid generation and storage assets to optimize operation for the lowest cost based on load and renewable forecasts.

A microgrid is a distribution network that operates with local (distributed) generation or islanded (grid connection open). Both types can include renewable sources, such as wind, photovoltaics, and hydro. Because the output from renewable sources can be intermittent and variable, and energy from these resources is not always available when needed, renewable sources can be better utilized when there is storage in the microgrid, such as an electrolyzer/fuel cell system or conventional battery storage.

Figure 2 shows a typical Microgrid where DG represents a Diesel Generator.

Figure 2 Typical microgrid

Islanded Power System Operation

Within any power system, the generated power must match the demand. The loading in the system is variable. Consider the single-generator power system shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 Single-generator power system

and Pm result from multiplying the torque with the angular velocity (speed).

Where:

is the electrical power

is the mechanical power

The basic torque balance equation for the generator is:

Eq. 1

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Where:

is the mechanical torque provided by the prime mover

is the electrical torque exerted by the loading of the power system

J is the inertia constant of the machine, and

ω is the rotational speed.

Solving for dω/dt, the result is:

Eq. 2

Multiplying by the top and bottom of this equation by rated speed, ω0, the result is:

Eq. 3

Speed is constant (dω/dt = 0) whenever mechanical power matches electrical power. This fact allows us to control a generator to supply the required load by regulating the speed of the generator at a fixed value. This method is known as isochronous control and is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 Isochronous control

Assume that electrical and mechanical power are initially equal and speed is equal to the reference speed. When the loading of the system increases, then P

becomes greater than Pm. As seen in the previous equation,

the machine speed drops. The governor takes a measurement of machine speed and compares it with a reference speed (nominal speed). The difference is an error signal that is applied to a transfer function (typically a proportional/integral regulator). The output of the governor drives an actuator (for instance a valve in the case of a steam turbine). This acts to increase the flow of steam to the turbine, increasing the mechanical power to balance the electrical power.

The operating characteristic of an isochronous generator is shown in the plot of frequency (proportional to mechanical speed) and power; see Figure 5.

DMC490 Overview

Figure 5 Isochronous operating characteristic

An isochronous machine maintains a constant frequency for any value of power up to its maximum rating.

Having more than one generator operating in isochronous control creates a challenge. Measurement error results in each machine having a slightly different idea of the actual system frequency, and each machine tries to bring this value to the nominal frequency. To resolve this potential conflict, one machine is typically operated in isochronous mode and the remaining generators are operated in droop control, resulting with the machine receiving an additional power signal that it compares to a power reference.

Figure 6 Droop control used for two or more sources of power

At nominal frequency, the level of power output is determined by the power reference command because the speed error signal is zero. When there is a drop in frequency, the generator increases output power according to its droop setting. For example, a generator with a droop setting of 5% produces a 100% change in output power for a 5% change in frequency.

Taken together the power and speed signals produce a sloped operating characteristic as shown in Figure 7.

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Figure 7 Droop control operating characteristic

In grid-connected microgrids, the grid compensates for any imbalance between load and generation in the microgrid, behaving like an isochronous machine for the microgrid. However, for islanded microgrids, there is a need for an isochronous machine to maintain load-generation balance, and stabilize the frequency around the nominal value in response to instantaneous load and renewable generation variations above or below the forecasted values. Such an isochronous machine provides reserve margins in both positive and negative directions to address the deficit or surplus of power, respectively. These margins are defined as a percent of the total load in the microgrid.

Isochronous/non-isochronous operation of a generator impacts the behavior of the MGC in the process of optimally dispatching the generation/storage devices in the microgrid. Thus, generating power of a dispatchable generator (genset) operating in non-isochronous mode can pick any value between its lower and upper bounds; however, for an isochronous dispatchable genset, lower and upper bounds of generating power need to be changed in the optimization problem solved by the MGC so that the reserve margins are respected. These concepts are demonstrated in Figure 8 and Figure 9, where the highlighted regions specify the intervals that the generating power (P

) is allowed to change. PD

and PD

min

represent the lower and upper bounds of

max

dispatchable generating power.

Figure 8 Demonstration of non-isochronous operation of a dispatchable generator

Figure 9 Demonstration of the isochronous operation of a dispatchable generator

A diesel or a CHP unit can usually operate in isochronous mode due to the non-variable nature of their fuel source, while highly-intermittent renewable power sources such as wind or solar cannot fulfill the requirements of an isochronous machine. However, the MGC supports the isochronous operation of renewable power generation units that are relatively less intermittent, such as run-of-the-river hydro units with reservoirs. In order to support such a feature, a parameter entitled Renewable Capability is defined in the setup program.

DMC490 Overview

This is a parameter between 0 and 1, multiplied by the upper bound of renewable power generation unit, and decided by the operator based on meteorological observation data.

Optimal Dispatch

The primary function of the MGC is optimal dispatch, which is the process of allocating the required load demand among the available resources such that the cost of operation is minimized. The MGC minimizes cost of electricity and/or heat in a microgrid, for example daily, and the prediction horizon can extend up to 48 hours.

Within a microgrid, resources include conventional generators and storage devices. The cost of operation is typically defined by fuel cost but can include maintenance and other costs.

An optimal dispatch algorithm is used to minimize the total operational cost of the microgrid. This cost is the sum of the fuel cost required to run the non-renewable generators, cost of electricity, which needs to be bought from a grid when one exists, and the operational cost of renewable and storage devices. Other factors include maintenance, start-up/shut-down costs, cost/revenue components associated with importing/exporting power to the grid, minimum energy/power requirements for various generation assets and minimum up/down times for some of the assets. The power bought from the grid plus the power generated internally must equal the total load and the power exported to the grid at any instant of time. The algorithm does not treat loads as dispatchable except to avoid situations of grid instability associated with imbalance between supply and demand. In other words, the microgrid always supplies enough power to satisfy its loads provided that this is physically possible given the power limits on the generators.

The optimal dispatch algorithm uses a technique known as model predictive control. It makes use of historical data as follows: daily, weekly, and annual load profiles; hydro, wind, and solar forecasts; and fuel or electricity market pricing information (when a bulk grid connection exists). Given this information, the algorithm determines the cost of operation for a fixed period in the future, typically 24 hours. It then solves the optimization problem with the objective to minimize the total costs and to determine the required control actions. These control actions include selecting the best machines to be operated at any given time, by issuing start/stop commands and sending proper isochronous or non-isochronous commands to dispatchable or renewable power generation units. It determines when energy is stored and when it is supplied to the system. Finally, it determines the best power reference point for each droop (non-isochronous) machine and for each storage device. Figure 10 shows data flow between the MGC and the different component devices within the microgrid.

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

DMC490

Microgrid Controller

System

Loads

Renewable generators

Power generated Online status Availability

Power consumed Online status

Dispatchable

generators

Power generated Online status Availability

Storage

devices

Start/stop Input preferences Output preferences

Power generated Power consumed State of charge Online status Availability

Setup tool

Operational

parameters (settings)

Start/stop

Isochronous/droop

Output preferences

Figure 10 Data flow for a system with dispatchables, renewables, and storage

Model Predictive Control

Model predictive control (MPC) is used for optimal dispatch in the microgrid. In this method, a model of the process to be controlled is used to evaluate the behavior of process outputs in response to control inputs. The model response is evaluated for a finite period extending into the future, known as a prediction horizon. The outputs are optimized over this period in order to arrive at the ideal values of outputs to be applied at the current time.

Figure 11 Model predictive control

Applied to the dispatch challenge, inputs represent internal physical states of the process such as offline/online, availability, isochronous operation, storage state of charge, and metered power of the devices. Generators and storage devices are modeled by their power ratings and efficiency curves. Forecasts model the loading of the power system, the contribution of renewable sources, and the price of grid power (if one exists). Finally, outputs take the form of start/stop commands and power reference commands applied to generators and storage devices.

Generation must match load in a stable power system. Dispatchable generation including the storage equals the total load minus the total power supplied by renewable sources. These resources are assumed to have local controllers that are designed to maximize the use of available renewable energy.

The problem to be solved by the MGC is a multi-interval optimization problem. As shown in Figure 12, an assumed prediction horizon of 24 hours is divided into multiple time steps/intervals, such as 120 twelve-minute or 240 six-minute time intervals.

DMC490 Overview

Figure 12 Prediction horizon

Different routines within the optimization framework are formulated and solved at each time step (for example, 12 minutes) over the prediction horizon (24 hours) based on load, renewable resources, and price forecasts. In this framework, a variety of operational considerations are factored in. These include and are not limited to the support of a hydro unit in isochronous mode, minimum up/down times required for storage charging, interaction with the grid, and support of manual-start dispatchable generators.

The objective function of the optimization problem can, in general, include the following terms:

• Fuel/operation costs of all power generation devices in the microgrid

• Cost/incentive terms for storage device charging/discharging. These are more subjectively

determined, being driven by the requirement to prevent simultaneous charging and discharging and the need to limit storage cycling.

• Penalty terms mainly related to those generation/storage devices allowed to have their limits on

minimum powers violated (that is, having soft constraints)

• Power importing/exporting costs/revenues when the microgrid is grid-connected

Also, the constraints of the optimization problem capture the following limitations for both electrical and thermal systems:

• Minimum and maximum values of generated power with the consideration of their isochronous or

non-isochronous operation, and the microgrid reserve margin requirements

• Limits on importing/exporting powers considering the microgrid reserve power requirements (for grid-

connected microgrids)

• Power balance in the microgrid considering the contribution of power generation/storage devices,

load, and any grid

• Minimum, maximum, and initial values of storage devices state of charge

• Limits on storage input and output powers

• The energy balance equation of storage devices representing the storage state of charge in each time

step based on its value in the previous time step as well as charging and discharging powers with the consideration of the related efficiencies and standby losses

When the prediction horizon is long enough, the algorithm can determine when to charge storage, because it can anticipate times when the loads are large and when the stored power can be utilized. The optimal dispatch algorithm implemented within the microgrid controller can be configured for up to 32 resources. Assuming a worst-case scenario where all resources are committed, the optimization problem can have on the order of 20,000 variables and 40,000 constraints.

Incorporation of CHP Plants

Combined heat and power (CHP) is the generation of electricity and heat in a single process. Inclusion of CHP plants in the microgrid significantly increases the overall efficiency of the system by using the hot exhaust gases from the gas turbine to heat water. Recovered heat can also be used for district heating or covering the heat demand requirement of the system. The incorporation of CHP plants introduces another energy source (natural gas) and another energy carrier (heat) into the system.

A CHP plant can be modeled by constant conversion ratios. The conversion ratios indicate efficiency. For example, a gas-to-electricity conversion ratio of 0.35 means that 35% of the energy content of natural gas is converted to electricity and the remainder is in the form of heat. Two dimensionless conversion ratios for gasto-electricity (rge) and gas-to-heat (rgh) are defined as shown in the following figure. Typical values of rge and rgh are 0.35 and 0.45, respectively, considering a 20% parasitic loss.

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

related configuration.

Figure 13 Representation of the co-generator model

Note: Different energy source and carriers, meaning natural gas, electricity, and heat, are involved, and that

they are all represented in terms of a common unit (kW). Note too that P independently controlled. Also, fuel consumption rate of a CHP unit reflected in the objective function is assumed to be an affine function of its generated electric power; this is similar to all dispatchable units in the microgrid.

Similar to dispatchable generators, CHP units can also operate in isochronous mode to cover the electric system reserve requirements.

CHPe

and P

CHPh

are not

Microgrid Controller Setup

The Microgrid Controller is set up for microgrid operation and control from the DMC490 HMI.

» To connect and configure a microgrid, perform the following tasks:

1. Set up communication between Assets controller or Asset of the Microgrid to the DMC490 using Data

Collection Application; see Chapter 17 - Configure IED/Device Blocks (Clients) of the SWM0066 D400 Software Configuration Guide.

2. Follow the configuration procedure provided in Chapter 2 – DMC490 Configuration of this manual.

Using SGConfig to Configure the DMC490

SGConfig (v9.0 or later) can be used to configure LogicLinx for a DMC490.

The following SGConfig features are not supported and will fail if you attempt to use them to configure a DMC490:

• Offline editor

• Bulk editing

• Import/export

If you attempt to use the offline editor and commit the changes, you will lose the MGC-

DMC490 Configuration

Boilers

CHPs

Dispatchables (auto-start)

Grids

Heat Loads

Loads

Renewables

Storage

DMC490 Configuration Chapter 2 -

You specify the number of dispatchable generators, loads, boilers for heat, renewable resources, and so on in the DMC490 Configuration Tools.

Up to 32 resources can be connected in the microgrid, with maximum per device type as follows.

Maximum configuration by device type

Resource Maximum number (up to total of 32)

DMC490 Operation Modes

The MGC optimization function has different modes of operations, which determine whether optimization is on or off.

Modes of Operation

The modes of operation are:

• Legacy (Off) — Off — In this mode, no optimization takes place and no communication occurs with the

resources and assets in the microgrid. When a user selects this mode, the microgrid continues to operate using the last configured values. For example, when a diesel generator is on, and the user activates Legacy (Off) mode, the diesel generator continues to operate.

The Analog Value code for this mode is 0.

• Auto — On — In this mode, Optimization occurs and the optimal solution is communicated to the resources

and assets. The analog value code for this mode is 1.

• Advisory — On — In this mode, Optimization occurs, but the optimal solution is not communicated to the

resources and assets. When there is a problem in the microgrid, the unit automatically switches to this mode to prevent commands from being sent to devices. To fix this issue, inspect the system, including generation and storage devices, local controllers, and communication links.

The analog value code for this mode is 2.

Note:: Delay is associated in the Process of transitioning between the modes. The mode cannot be abruptly

changed from off to Auto; it first switches to Advisory mode, and if the optimization problem is feasible, and an optimal solution is found, the operation mode changes from Advisory to Auto at the end of the problem-solving phase. This transition is indicated by "Running Optimal Dispatch" on the main HMI pane.

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

View and Switch Modes

» To view the state of Optimizer Operation Mode:

1. Navigate to the MGC application Point details page on the HMI:

Point Summary > Applications > Microgrid Controller> Analog Input

2. Use the Analog Input pseudo point MGC Current state from the MGC point summary page.

» To switch between different Optimizer Operation modes:

1. Navigate to the MGC application Point details page on the HMI:

Point Summary > Applications > Microgrid Controller> Analog Output

2. From the Analog Output tab, access pseudo point MGC Change Current state.

3. Choose a desired mode based on the Analog codes given for each mode.

» To view the time remaining until the next cycle of Optimization is executed:

1. Navigate to the MGC application Point details page on the HMI:

Point Summary > Applications > Microgrid Controller> Analog Input

2. From the Analog Output, access pseudo point MGC Change Current state.

3. See the status for the Time to Next Advice point.

Configuration Overview

Microgrid Assets

» To configure and map microgrid assets:

1. Click the Configuration Power Bar button and select the MGC tab.

Result: The Electrics pane appears.

2. Select: Electrics (Electrical Assets) tab or the Thermal (Thermal Assets) tab.

3. If Electrics or Thermal is selected, click + to add an asset.

Result: The Create Asset window appears.

4. Select the Asset type:

• Electrical Assets

o Renewable Asset o Dispatchable Asset o Storage Asset o Load Asset o Grid Asset

• Thermal Assets

o Thermal CHP Asset o Boiler Asset o Heat Load Asset

DMC490 Configuration

Result: The settings pane appears on the right-hand side; for example, Dispatchable Asset1.

5. Configure the Electrical Assets and Thermal Assets Point settings. Refer to the Configure Electrical Assets

section on page 20 for more details.

6. Add digital/analog inputs and digital/analog outputs for the assets.

7. Set the time periods for the forecasts: System (Settings > Economic Dispatch setup.

8. Configure annunciator alarms (Configuration > Alarm tab > Alarm Points tab) that are viewed on the

Active Alarms page.

9. Set the operating mode of the MGC assets (that is, Renewable assets, Dispatchable Assets, and Thermal

CHP Assets

10. Configure forecast settings for optimization.

11. Map the Electrical Assets and Thermal Assets status points to the Datalogger (click: Data Logger

powerbar button) so that you can analyze decisions made by the Optimizer over the logging period.

12. Repeat steps 1 to 11 for each microgrid asset.

System Settings

» To configure microgrid system settings:

1. Click the Configuration Power Bar button and select the MGC tab.

Result: The Electrics pane appears.

2. Select the Settings (System Settings) tab.

3. Select the System Settings group:

• System Settings

• Economic Dispatch

• Command Scheduler

o Dispatchable Units o Storage Units

Result: The settings pane appears on the right-hand side; for example, System Settings.

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Setting

Description

Range

Default

Enabled

Rated Power (kW)

Specify the maximum power generation capacity in kW depending on the availability of the renewable resource.

0 to 1,000,000 kW

Operating

Specify the operating cost of the equipment in dollars per

$0 to

$0 Isochronous

Mode3

Configure Electrical Assets

» To configure Electrical Settings:

Navigate to Configuration > MGC > Electrics >

• Renewable asset

• Dispatchable asset

• Storage asset

• Load asset

• Grid asset

Renewable Asset

Configure each renewable resource with settings such as power generating capacity and operating cost of a photovoltaic array.

Renewable resources of the same type that are co-located are considered one device.

Point Settings

Asset ID Unique asset ID assigned by the DMC490 MGC. Name Specify the name of the asset.

Enabled

Cost ($/kWh)

Isochronous Operation Mode1

Operation Mode2

Isochronous Operation

Specify if the asset is to be included in the microgrid optimization calculations.

kWh. Include operations, maintenance, and (any) fuel costs. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

Specify if isochronous or droop (non-isoch) mode is to be used for the renewable resources in each of the microgrid operation modes.

The numbers 1 to 4 for this setting refer to operation modes for the microgrid. Depending on the type of isochronous machine and how the reserve margins are provided, four different operation modes can be considered for the microgrid. The following modes are some examples that can be used:

4 to 20 characters

Disabled

$1,000,000

Isoch Droop

Renewable Asset_

Enabled

250 kW

Droop

DMC490 Configuration

Isochronous

• Dispatchable/CHP isochronous load sharing

Setting

Description

Range

Default

Asset ID

Unique asset ID assigned by the DMC490 MGC.

Name

Specify the name of the asset.

4 to 20

Dispatch

Operation Mode4

• Hydro in isochronous

• Single dispatchable/CHP in isochronous

• Grid in isochronous

For example, assume in a particular microgrid, one big hydro generator (such as a run-of-the-rive hydro unit with a reservoir) can operate in isochronous mode. This corresponds to Operation Mode 2; however, any of the four operation modes can be assigned to a single hydro unit in isochronous. If the operator follows the suggested operation-mode assignment (that is, Operation Mode 2 is hydro in isochronous) and Hydro 1 is supposed to be the isochronous machine, the following are set for this machine:

• Operation Mode 1 = Droop

• Operation Mode 2 = Isoch

• Operation Mode 3 = Droop

• Operation Mode 4 = Droop

In this manner, if you select the second mode to be the active mode for the microgrid, then Hydro 1 can run in isochronous mode by receiving the isochronous command from the DMC490 MGC.

For the other microgrid operation modes, Hydro 1 is in nonisochronous mode (as set by zero values).

Status Points

The following field mappings apply to the status/control and read-only inputs that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > Renewable Asset configuration page:

• Online: This field indicates if the renewable resource is online or offline.

• Isoc Mode: This field indicates if the resource is in droop or isochronous mode.

• Net Meter Power: This field indicates the power generation values (in kW) read from different

renewable generators in the system.

• Operation mode: This is an Analog output which refers to the current microgrid operation mode of the

asset (as explained in section System Settings on page 19, see the Active Mode setting).

• Watchdog: This is a Digital Output command used to inform the asset that the MGC controller is

active. A Digital Output command is sent on this point with the value toggling between 0 and 1 every 10 seconds.

Dispatchable Asset

Configure each dispatchable resource with settings such as operating capacity, operating cost, and minimum operating period of an auto startup diesel generator.

Point Settings

characters

able Asset_

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Specify if the asset is to be included in the microgrid optimization Enabled

Rated Power

Specify the maximum power generation capacity of the

0 to

250 kW

Start Cost ($)

Specify the cost to power up the resource. Include the costs that

$0 to

$10 Specify the cost to power down the resource. The cost is in dollars;

$0 to

Fuel Cost ($/L)

Specify the cost of fuel that operates the dispatchable generator, in

$0 to $100

Enabled

(kW)

Minimum Power (kW)

Efficiency Maximum (kWh/kg)

Efficiency Minimum (kWh/kg)

calculations.

dispatchable resource in kW.

Specify the preferred minimum power, in kW. For example, some generators need to be operated at a minimum of 30 percent of their rated power, expressed in kW.

Specify the efficiency at maximum generator power, in kWh per kg of fuel consumed. Calculate the number using the related curves for your generator. If the dispatchable efficiency at maximum power is available in terms of percent, this setting can simply be determined by multiplying the percent value with the higher heating value or energy content of the input fuel in terms of kWh/kg. Higher heating values for different fuel sources can be found in the related handbooks or the Internet.

Specify the efficiency at minimum generator power, in kWh per kg of fuel consumed. Generators are usually less efficient when operating at low loads. Calculate the number using the related curves for your generator. If the dispatchable efficiency at minimum power is available in terms of percent, this setting can simply be determined by multiplying the percent value with the higher heating value or energy content of the input fuel in terms of kWh/kg. Higher heating values for different fuel sources can be found in the related handbooks or the Internet.

Disabled

1,000,000 kW

0 to 1,000,000 kW

0 to 1,000 kWh/kg

Enabled

50 kW

0.75 kWh/kg

0.55 kWh/kg

Stop Cost ($)

Fuel Density (kg/L)

you think are important based on your experience with the microgrid. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

dollars per liter. For example, enter the price for a liter of diesel fuel or gasoline. The volume of gaseous fuels is usually expressed in terms of Normal cubic meter (Nm3). Therefore, Fuel Cost of dispatchable generation resources running on gaseous fuels can also be expressed in terms of dollars per Nm3; however, in this case, Fuel Density also needs to be in terms of kg per Nm3. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

Specify the specific gravity of fuel in kg per liter. Values differ based on the fuel type, such as natural gas and diesel. Use reference books or the Internet to determine this value. Examples are 0.832 kg/L for diesel, 0.745 kg/L for ethanol-free gasoline, 0.71 to 0.77 kg/L for gasoline, and 0.41 to 0.5 kg/L for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Fuel Density can also be expressed in terms of kg/Nm3, which is common for gaseous is case, Fuel Cost also needs to be expressed in terms of $/Nm3. The unit of volume in both Fuel Cost and Fuel Density settings need to be the same.

$1,000,000

0 to 1,000 kg/L

$10

0.85 kg/L

DMC490 Configuration

Constraint

Soft constraint means that the generator is allowed to violate its

Minimum

Use this setting in conjunction with Constraint Mode. This setting

and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

0 to 1,000

Isochronous

Specify if isochronous or droop (non-isoch) mode is to be used for

Isochronous

Mode

Power Penalty ($/kWh)

Operation Mode1

Operation Mode2

Isochronous Operation Mode3

Operation Mode4

minimum power generation level but at the cost of a penalty in the objective function. Having the possibility of going below the minimum power (soft constraint) can positively affect the feasibility of the microgrid optimization problem.

Hard constraint means that the generator is not allowed to go below its minimum power generation level. Use this setting in conjunction with Minimum Power Penalty.

puts a numerical value on the minimum power violation. When the violation from minimum power is critical, set a high value here.

The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value

the renewable resources in each of the microgrid operation modes. Operation mode numbers 1 to 4 refer to operation modes for the

microgrid. Depending on the type of isochronous machine and how the reserve margins are provided, four different operation modes can be considered for the microgrid. For example the following mode numbers can be used:

1. Dispatchable/CHP isochronous load sharing

2. Hydro in isochronous

3. Single dispatchable/CHP in isochronous

4. Grid in isochronous

Assume in a particular microgrid, one big hydro generator (such as a run-of-the-rive hydro unit with a reservoir) can operate in isochronous mode. This corresponds to Operation Mode 2; however, any of the four operation modes can be assigned to a single hydro unit in isochronous. If the operator follows the suggested operation-mode assignment (that is, Operation Mode 2 is hydro in isochronous) and Hydro 1 is supposed to be the isochronous machine, the following are set for this machine:

• Operation Mode 1 = Droop

• Operation Mode 2 = Isoch

• Operation Mode 3 = Droop

• Operation Mode 4 = Droop

In this manner, if you select the second mode to be the active mode for the microgrid, then Hydro 1 can run in isochronous mode by receiving the isochronous command from DMC490.

For the other microgrid operation modes, Hydro 1 is in nonisochronous mode (as set by zero values).

Hard Soft

$/kWh

Isoch Droop

Hard

0 $/kWh

Droop

Status Points

The following field mappings apply to the status and read only inputs that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > Dispatchable Asset configuration page:

• Online: This field indicates if the resource is online or offline. It is not necessarily the same as being

available for use in the MGC optimization calculations.

• Input Isoch Mode: This field indicates if the resource is to be in droop or isochronous mode. There is an

input and output isoch mode. The input isoch mode is advice produced by the optimizer and issued to the dispatchable asset. The output isoch mode is the actual operating mode of the dispatchable asset.

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Setting

Description

Range

Default

Asset ID

Unique asset ID assigned by the DMC490 MGC.

4 to 20 characters

Storage Asset_

Input Enabled

This setting indicates if the storage input/charging is set to be

Disabled

Enabled

Assuming that the dispatchable resource follows the advice of the optimizer, the modes are usually the same.

• Availability: Availability is declared by the generator. This field indicates if the generator can be

controlled by the MGC and included in the optimization problem solved by the MGC. An online generator is not necessarily an available generator. The availability signal is built by the generator’s local controller based on some parameters and is read by the MGC.

• Net Meter Power: This field indicates the power generation values in kW read from different

dispatchable generators in the system.

The following field mappings apply to the AO/DO control points that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > Dispatchable Asset configuration page:

• Start: Start/stop is a command. When the MGC sends the start command, the generator comes online

after some time.

• Output Isoch Mode: This field indicates if the resource is in droop or isochronous mode.

For isochronous mode, there is an input and output isoch mode:

o The input isoch mode is advice produced by the optimizer and issued to the dispatchable

asset.

o The output isoch mode is the actual operating mode of the dispatchable asset.

Assuming that the dispatchable resource follows the advice of the optimizer, the modes are usually the same.

• Power Ref: This field refers to the power reference points of dispatchable generators, in kW. Their

values are computed by the MGC dispatch algorithm.

• Operation mode: This is an Analog output which refers to the current microgrid operation mode of the

asset (as explained in section System Settings on page 19, see the Active Mode setting).

• Watchdog: This is a Digital Output command used to inform the asset that the MGC controller is

active. A Digital Output command is sent on this point with the value toggling between 0 and 1 every 10 seconds.

Storage Asset

Configure each electrical storage installation with settings such as capacity and cost.

Storage devices of the same type that are co-located are considered one storage device.

Point Settings

Name Specify the name of the asset.

included in the microgrid optimization calculations by the DMC490. When storage input is offline and the optimal dispatch result indicates storage input usage above the minimum storage input for equal to or longer than the Charging Minimum Up Time, then the storage input is started. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, enabling the input translates to enabling the electrolyzer.

Enabled

DMC490 Configuration

This setting indicates if the storage output/discharge is set to

Storage Type

Specify if the storage is batteries or a hydrogen-based system,

Hydrogen

Battery

Minimum

Charging power for a storage device cannot be below a

0 to 1,000,000

efficiency of the storage cylinders is close to unity.)

Discharging

This setting describes how efficient the stored energy is

0% to 100%

55%

Output Enabled

Maximum Discharging Power (kW)

Minimum Discharging Power (kW)

Maximum Charging Power (kW)

Charging Power (kW)

Charging Efficiency (%)

be included in the microgrid optimization calculations by the DMC490. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, enabling the output translates to enabling the fuel cell.

such as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell.

Specify the maximum electrical power in kW that the storage unit can discharge to the microgrid. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, highpressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, this setting refers to the rated power of a fuel cell.

Specify the minimum electrical power in kW that the storage unit is to discharge to the microgrid. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, highpressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, this setting refers to the minimum fuel cell output power.

Specify the maximum input/charging power of the storage unit in kW. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, this setting refers to the rated power of the electrolyzer.

certain level, so Specify the minimum input/charging power of the storage unit. This power level is related to the technology and specifications of the storage device itself and it does not depend on other dispatchable or renewable devices in the system. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, this setting refers to the minimum input power of the electrolyzer.

For example, for a 300 kW alkaline electrolyzer, this setting can be in the range of 120 to 130 kW.

This setting describes how efficient the input or charging power over time contributes in increasing the state of charge. Charging efficiency depends on the input/charging power and storage state of charge. However, it is assumed here to be a fixed setting, which is acceptable in most applications. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, this setting refers to the electrolyzer efficiency. (The charging

Disabled

Enabled

Battery

0 to 1,000,000

50 kW

0 to 1,000,000

25 kW

0 to 1,000,000

50 kW

25 kW

0% to 100% 50%

Efficiency (%)

converted back to the microgrid. Discharging efficiency depends on the output/discharging power and storage state of charge. However, it is assumed here to be a fixed setting, which is acceptable in most applications. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, this setting refers to the fuel cell efficiency. (The discharging efficiency of the storage cylinders is close to unity.)

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

State Of Charge

This setting is the maximum capacity of the storage device. It

0 to 1,000,000

State Of Charge

Specify the minimum level of storage state of charge, in kWh.

0 to 1,000,000

50 kWh Lower

This setting is the upper boundary of the minimum acceptable

example one to five percent (that is, 0.01 to 0.05).

0 to 1 kW

0 kW

Lower

This setting is the lower boundary of the minimum acceptable

0 to 1 kW

0 kW

Maximum (kWh)

specifies the maximum level of storage state of charge (SOC), in kWh.

300 kWh

kWh

Minimum (kWh)

Upper Boundary Store Device1 (kW)

Lower Boundary Store Device2 (kW)

Due to lifetime considerations, SOC cannot usually go below a certain limit. This is referred to as maximum depth of discharge (DOD). For example, for a 100kWh storage device with 80% DOD, State Of Charge Minimum is set to 20 kWh.

Storage state of charge needs to be always above State Of Charge Minimum and below State Of Charge Maximum. However, a variety of practical complexities, such as storage standby loss, delay in issuing the charging/discharging commands, measurements errors, and startup or environmental conditions, lead to the violation of these limits and can render the real-time microgrid optimization problem infeasible. Apart from the infeasibility of the optimization problem, there is also a chance of an undesired phenomenon occurring, which is frequent charging and discharging (cycling) of storage devices. These undesired outcomes (that is, infeasibility and cycling) are avoided in the DMC490 MGC by having some pre and post processing units outside of the optimization core to modify the commands issued by the controller, such as storage stop/start, or to change some input readings, such as SOC. This also requires defining some small regions around State Of Charge Maximum and State Of Charge Minimum. Thus, two regions below State Of Charge Maximum, and two regions on either side of State Of Charge Minimum are defined as shown in the following figure. If SOC is located in region E, no action is required; however, if SOC is within any of four regions A to D, its measured value is appropriately changed together with issuing some necessary charging/discharging commands. Upper Boundary Store Dev1 is the upper boundary of the maximum acceptable charging level. Configure it to be within a few percent of storage maximum capacity State Of Charge Minimum, for example one to five percent (that is, 0.01 to

0.05). Refer to Figure 14 for more details

This setting is the lower boundary of the maximum acceptable charging level. Configure it to be within a few percent of storage maximum capacity (State Of Charge Minimum), for example one to five percent (that is, 0.01 to 0.05).

kWh

0 to 1 kW 0 kW

Boundary Store Device1 (kW)

Boundary Store Device2 (kW)

charging level. Configure it to be within a few percent of storage minimum capacity (State Of Charge Minimum), for

charging level. Configure it to be within a few percent of storage minimum capacity (State Of Charge Minimum), for example one to five percent (that is, 0.01 to 0.05).

DMC490 Configuration

Constraint

Soft constraint means that the storage device is allowed to

Charging Cost

This setting is the cost to charge the storage device in dollars

0 to 1,000

10 $/kWh

consistent in all fields involving the currency.

Mode

violate its minimum capacity State Of Charge Minimum but at the cost of a penalty in the objective function. Having the possibility of going below the minimum capacity (soft constraint) can positively affect the feasibility of the microgrid optimization problem but can also result in charge/discharge cycling. Hard constraint means that the storage is not allowed to go below its minimum capacity (State Of Charge Minimum). Use this setting in conjunction with State Of Charge Penalty,

State Of Charge Minimum Incentive and State Of Charge Penalty.

($/kWh)

per kWh. Determine the cost based on your knowledge of the microgrid or initial simulation studies. Including such costs helps to prevent simultaneous charging and discharging and helps to limit charge/discharge cycling. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

Discharging Cost ($/kWh)

This setting is the cost to discharge power from the storage unit in dollars per kWh. Determine the cost based on your knowledge of the microgrid or initial simulation studies. Including such costs helps to prevent simultaneous charging and discharging and helps to limit charge/discharge cycling. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

Charging Incentive ($/kWh)

This setting is the financial incentive to charge storage, in dollars per kWh. In some jurisdictions, utilities are required to store a percent of energy and incentives can be available for such a program. The incentive can be used to set this parameter for gridconnected microgrid configurations. In the absence of such an incentive program, some simulation studies can be needed to fine-tune this setting given the requirement to prevent simultaneous charging and discharging and the need to limit storage cycling. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

Discharging Incentive ($/kWh)

This setting is the financial incentive to discharge storage, in dollars per kWh. In the absence of incentive programs for gridconnected microgrids, some simulation studies can be needed to fine-tune this setting given the requirement to prevent simultaneous charging and discharging and the need to limit storage cycling. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

State Of Charge Penalty ($/kWh2)

This setting promotes discharging and lower values of SOC. Both State Of Charge Penalty and State Of Charge Incentive settings are provided to allow you more freedom to configure the system based on your operational knowledge. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be

Hard Soft

$/kWh

0 to 1,000 $/kWh

0 to 1,000 $/kWh2

Hard

5 $/kWh

0 $/kWh

0 $/kWh2

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

State Of Charge

This incentive promotes more charging and higher values of

0 to 1,000

State Of Charge

The setting is the penalty when storage is allowed to violate its

0 to 1,000

0 $/kWh2

The DMC490 MGC supports input up-time, down-time, and Charging

When the Hysteresis field is set to On, this is the minimum

0 to 720

0 minutes

Charging

When the Hysteresis field is set to On, this is the minimum off

at least this length of time.

0 to 720

0 minutes

Incentive ($/kWh2)

SOC. Both State Of Charge Penalty and State Of Charge Incentive settings are provided to allow you more freedom to configure the system based on your operational knowledge. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

0 $/kWh2

$/kWh2

Minimum Penalty ($/kWh2)

Hysteresis

Minimum Up Time (minutes)

Minimum Down Time (minutes)

minimum level (that is, soft constraint is set for Constraint

Mode. The greater the violation from State Of Charge Minimum, the greater the penalty cost in the objective

function. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that

value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

cycle-per-day hysteresis. When Hysteresis is On, a set of appropriate parameters is in place to prevent excessive switching and cycling. Support for hysteresis is required for storage input to overcome high-frequency on/off cycling of the electrolyzer because it lowers performance and decreases the life of the device. The hysteresis mostly targets the electrolyzer (hydrogen-based storage), but it is available for all storage devices.

running time of the electrolyzer, in minutes. If the electrolyzer is turned on, it runs for at least this length of time. When storage input is offline and the optimal dispatch result indicates storage input usage above the minimum storage input (Minimum Charging Power) for equal to or longer than the Charging Minimum Up Time, then the storage input is started with the calculated setpoint.

time of the electrolyzer, in minutes. When the electrolyzer is on and receives an off command, it turns off and stays off for

$/kWh2

On Off

minutes

DMC490 Configuration

Charging Limit

Yes means that the storage local controller provides the

Feedback

maximum value of discharging power for the DMC490 MGC to read. No means that the value read by the DMC490 MGC is disregarded. For storage devices we have maximum charging power and maximum discharging power; these are settings and fixed values. However, for particular storage technologies, these maximum powers are not fixed; they depend on the state of charge (SOC). For example, we have a setting of 100 kW for maximum discharging power but if SOC is below a certain limit we cannot approach this maximum 100-kW limit. For these particular storage devices, the maximum charging or discharging powers are declared by their local controllers; they have mathematical functions that calculate the maximum power depending on the value of SOC; these values are published so that an external device like the DMC490 can read them.

Given this, the DMC490 has two related settings for storage devices: Charging Limit Feedback and Discharging Limit Feedback. For example, when the Charging Limit Feedback is Yes, it means that the storage local controller provides the maximum value of charging power (this is read by the DMC490 and used in the optimization calculation). In this case, the value read by the DMC490 is replaced with the maximum value already set by the user. In other words, setting value for maximum charging power is overwritten based on the value provided by the storage local controller and read by the DMC490. When the Charging Limit Feedback is set to No, then the value read by the DMC490 is disregarded.

False True

False

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Discharging

Yes means that the storage local controller provides the

Commitment1

Used by Unit Commitment2

Used by Unit

relatively high dissipation.

Limit Feedback

maximum value of discharging power for the DMC490 to read. No means that the value read by the DMC490 is disregarded. For storage devices we have maximum charging power and maximum discharging power; these are settings and fixed

values. However, for particular storage technologies, these maximum powers are not fixed; they depend on the state of charge (SOC). For example, we have a setting of 100 kW for maximum discharging power but if SOC is below a certain limit we cannot approach this maximum 100-kW limit. For these particular storage devices, the maximum charging or discharging powers are declared by their local controllers; they have mathematical functions that calculate the maximum power depending on the value of SOC; these values are published so that an external device like the DMC490 can read them. Given this, the DMC490 has two related settings for storage devices: Charging Limit Feedback and Discharging Limit Feedback. For example, when the Charging Limit Feedback is Yes, it means that the storage local controller provides the maximum value of charging power (this is read by the DMC490 and used in the optimization calculation). In this case, the value read by the DMC490 is replaced with the maximum value already set by the user. In other words, setting value for maximum charging power is overwritten based on the value provided by the storage local controller and read by the DMC490. When the Charging Limit Feedback is set to No, then the value read by the DMC490 is disregarded.

Used by Unit

Select yes to have storage contribution considered in the Unit Commitment (UC) routine of the optimization problem. The Unit Commitment problem is the task of determining a combination of power generation units each with a certain capacity and operation cost so as to minimize the total

Commitment3

Commitment4

operation costs while satisfying the electricity-demand requirement of the microgrid in each time period.

The numbers 1 to 4 specify whether or not to consider the contribution of storage devices in the Unit Commitment (UC) routine in each of the four microgrid operation modes.

Charging Dissipation (kWh/h)

This setting represents energy loss from the storage device over time. It specifies the rate of charge dissipation, or standby loss of the storage, in kWh/h. You set this value based on your knowledge of the storage technology used in the microgrid. For example, some storage technologies, such as hydrogen, have low standby losses while battery storage systems have

False True

0 to 1,000 kWh/h

False

0 kWh/h

DMC490 Configuration

Status Points

The following field mappings apply to the status and read only inputs that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > Storage Asset configuration page:

• Input Online: This field indicates if the storage input is online or offline. For hydrogen storage, which is

interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, Input Online represents the offline/online status of the electrolyzer. Being online is not necessarily the same as being available for use in the MGC optimization calculations.

• Output Online: This field indicates if the storage output is online or offline. For hydrogen storage,

which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, Output Online represents the offline/online status of the fuel cell. Being online is not necessarily the same as being available for use in the MGC optimization calculations.

• Input Availability: Input availability is declared by the storage device. It indicates if the storage input

can be controlled by the MGC and included in the optimization problem solved by the MGC. The availability signal is built into the storage local controller based on some parameters and is read by the MGC. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, Input Availability represents the availability of the electrolyzer. An online storage resource is not necessarily an available storage resource.

• Output Availability: Output availability is declared by the storage device. It indicates if the storage

output can be controlled by the MGC and included in the optimization problem solved by the MGC. The availability signal is built into the storage local controller based on some parameters and is read by the MGC. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, Output Availability represents the availability of the fuel cell. An online storage resource is not necessarily an available storage resource.

• Net Meter Power In: This is the net metered input power, in kW. It indicates the input/charging power

value read from the storage device. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, Net Meter Power In represents the measured value of the electrolyzer input/charging power.

• Net Meter Power Out: This is the net metered output power, in kW. This field indicates the

output/discharging power value read from the storage device. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, Net Meter Power Out represents the measured value of the fuel cell output/discharging power.

• SOC: This field indicates storage state of charge, in kWh.

The following field mappings apply to the AO/DO control points that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > Storage Asset configuration page:

• Input Start: This field represents the start command for storage charging. For hydrogen storage,

which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, Input Start corresponds to the electrolyzer start command.

• Output Start: This field represents the start command for storage discharging. For hydrogen storage,

which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, Output Start corresponds to the fuel cell start command.

• Power Ref In: This field reflects the reference input power of the storage device. It is the value decided

by the MGC for the storage charging power. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, Power Ref In represents the command for electrolyzer input/charging power.

• Power Ref Out: This field reflects the reference output power of the storage device. It is the value

decided by the MGC for the storage discharging power. For hydrogen storage, which is interpreted as the combination of electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell, Power Ref Out represents the command for fuel cell output/discharging power.

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Setting

Description

Range

Default

Asset ID

Unique asset ID assigned by the DMC490 MGC.

Enabled

• Operation mode: This is an Analog output which refers to the current microgrid operation mode of the

asset (as explained in section System Settings on page 19, see the Active Mode setting).

• Input Watchdog: This is a Digital Output command used to inform the charge controller in the Storage

asset that the MGC controller is active. A Digital Output command is sent on this point with a value toggling between 0 and 1 every 10 seconds.

• Output watchdog: This is a Digital Output command used to inform the discharge controller in the

Storage asset that the MGC controller is active. A Digital Output command is sent on this point with a value toggling between 0 and 1 every 10 seconds.

Figure 14 Upper Boundary Store – State of Charge

Load Asset

Configure each load for the use of the electricity, such as which forecast to use.

Point Settings

Name Specify the name of the asset. 4 to 20 characters Load Asset_ Enabled

Status Points

The following field mappings apply to the status/control and read only inputs that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > Load Asset configuration page:

• Online: This field indicates if the load is online or offline, meaning consuming electricity or not.

• Net Meter Power: This field indicates the values of demanding powers in kW read from different loads

in the system.

• Operation mode: This is an Analog output which refers to the current microgrid operation mode of the

asset (as described in section System Settings on page 19, see the Active Mode setting).

• Watchdog: This is a Digital Output command used to inform the asset that the MGC controller is

active. A Digital Output command is sent on this point with the value toggling between 0 and 1 every 10 seconds.

Specify if the asset is to be included in the microgrid optimization calculations.

Disabled

Enabled

DMC490 Configuration

Setting

Description

Range

Default

Export

Specify if exporting from the microgrid to the grid is enabled.

and Export Enabled to Disabled.

Disabled

Enabled

Minimum

Minimum amount of electricity to import from the grid to the

0 to 1,000,000

50 kW

Minimum

Minimum amount of electricity to export to the grid from the

0 to 1,000,000

10 kW

Grid Asset

Configure each grid, such as the amount of power to import.

Point Settings

Asset ID Unique asset ID assigned by the DMC490 MGC. Name Specify the name of the asset.

Enabled

Import Enabled

Specify if the asset is to be included in the microgrid optimization calculations.

Specify if importing from the grid to the microgrid is enabled. This setting takes the grid contribution into the microgrid optimization calculations but only import power from the grid is

allowed. If both Import Enabled and Export Enabled are set to Enabled, optimization calculations decide whether import power from the grid or export power to the grid happens depending upon the optimal contribution of generation/storage devices in the microgrid. For off-grid or autonomous microgrids, set both Import Enabled and Export Enabled to Disabled.

4 to 20 characters

Disabled Enabled

Grid Asset_

Enabled

Maximum Import Power (kW)

Import Power (kW)

Maximum Export Power (kW)

Export Power (kW)

This setting takes the grid contribution into the microgrid optimization calculations but only export power to the grid is allowed. If both Import Enabled and Export Enabled are set to Enabled, optimization calculations decide whether import power from the grid or export power to the grid happens depending upon the optimal contribution of generation/storage devices in the microgrid. For off-grid or autonomous microgrids, set both Import Enabled

Maximum amount of electricity to import from the grid to the microgrid, in kW.

microgrid, in kW.

Maximum amount of electricity to export to the grid from the microgrid, in kW.

microgrid, in kW.

Enabled

0 to 1,000,000 kW

100,000 kW

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Power

While power that can be supplied by a grid is a continuous

0 to 1,000,000

Setting

Description

Range

Default

Asset ID

Unique asset ID assigned by the DMC490 MGC.

Asset_

Specify if the asset is to be included in the microgrid optimization Enabled

10 kW Resolution (kW)

quantity, the DMC490 allows partitioning of the load requirement into discrete values. That is, the DMC490 allows the grid to supply a combination of a finite set of power values. This is useful because the DMC490 typically has several power sources in the microgrid with which to optimize, including any grid. This setting is power in terms of kW. It is the resolution of the discrete values for power grid supply. The lower the number, the more flexibility provided for optimization.

Status Points

The following field mappings apply to the status/control and read only inputs that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > Grid Asset configuration page:

• Online: This field indicates if the resource is online or offline. The status of being online can also

translate to having grid connection.

• Net Meter Power: This field indicates the import/export power value, in kW.

• Importing: This field indicates whether the grid is importing or exporting power.

• Operation mode: This is an Analog output which refers to the current microgrid operation mode of the

asset (as described in section System Settings on page 19, see the Active Mode setting).

• Watchdog: This is a Digital Output command used to inform the asset that the MGC controller is

active. A Digital Output command is sent on this point with the value toggling between 0 and 1 every 10 seconds.

Configure Thermal Assets

Thermal Settings are used to configure any combined heat and power (CHP) generation devices.

» To configure Thermal Settings:

Navigate to Configuration > MGC > Thermal >

• Thermal CHP asset

• Boiler asset

• Heat Load asset

Thermal CHP Asset

Point Settings

Name Specify the name of the asset.

Enabled

calculations.

Disabled

CHP

Enabled

DMC490 Configuration

Electric

Specify the maximum electric power generation capacity of the co-

0 to

Electric

Specify the preferred minimum electric power in kW that the co-

0 to

Heat

Specify the preferred minimum heat supply in kW that the co-

0 to

Electric

Specify the efficiency of the co-generator at maximum generator

be found in the related handbooks or the Internet.

0 to 1000

5.25

Electric

Specify the efficiency of the co-generator at minimum generator load,

0 to 1,000

4.2

A typical value for this setting is 0.35.

Gas-to-Heat

Specify the gas-to-heat conversion ratio of the co-generator. For

A typical value for this setting is 0.45.

Fuel Density

Specify the density of the fuel of the co-generator in terms of kg per

0 to 5

0.8

350 Rated Power (kW)

generator in kW. It is the maximum potential power contribution of the co-generator in the microgrid.

1,000,000

Minimum Power (kW)

Heat Rated Power (kW

Minimum Power (kW)

Efficiency Maximum (kWh/kg)

Efficiency Min (kWh/kg)

Gas-toElectric Ratio

generator is to generate.

Specify the heating capacity of the co-generator in kW. It is the maximum heat supply that the co-generator can generate.

generator is to generate.

load, in kWh/kg of consumed natural gas. If the co-generator efficiency at maximum power is available in terms of percent, this setting can simply be determined by multiplying the percent value with the higher heating value or energy content of the input fuel in terms of kWh/kg. Higher heating values for different fuel sources can

in kWh/kg of consumed natural gas. If the co-generator efficiency at minimum power is available in terms of percent, this setting can simply be determined by multiplying the percent value with the higher heating value or energy content of the input fuel in terms of kWh/kg. Higher heating values for different fuel sources can be found in the related handbooks or the Internet.

Specify the gas-to-electricity conversion ratio of the co-generator. For example, a ratio of 0.35 means that 35% of the energy content of natural gas is converted to electricity and the remainder is in the form of heat that cannot be recovered completely. For example, if there are100 units natural gas (input), we get 35 units as electricity. The remaining part (that is, 65 units) is heat but all of that cannot be recovered. We can recover about 45 units. Therefore, there are 20 units of parasitic loss (not recoverable)

1,000,000

0 to

250

1,000,000

kWh/kg

0 to 1 0.35

Ratio

example, a ratio of 0.45 means that 45% of the energy content of natural gas is converted to recoverable heat. It is the head that can cover all or part of the heat-demand requirements of the microgrid.

(kg/Nm3)

normal cubic meter (Nm3), which is a typical unit for gaseous fuels such as natural gas. Any fuel source has its own density; search the related handbooks or the Internet for the appropriate value.

Fuel Cost ($/Nm3)

Specify the cost of fuel that operates the co-generator, in dollars per normal cubic meter (Nm3). For example, enter the price of the natural gas. The default value of $0.35 per Nm3 is almost equal to $1 per Therm or $10 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

0 to 1 0.35

kg/Nm3

0 to 100 Nm3

kg/Nm3

0.35

Nm3

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Specify the cost in dollars to power up the co-generator. Include the

involving the currency.

$0 to

Specify the cost in dollars to power down the co-generator. The cost is

$0 to

Isochronous

Specify if isochronous or droop (non-isoch) mode is to be used for the

Isoch

Droop

Isochronous

Use this setting in conjunction with Electric Constraint Mode. This

Start Cost ($)

cost(s) that you think are important based on your experience with the generation resource and the microgrid. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields

Stop Cost ($)

in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

Operation Mode1

Isochronous Operation Mode2

co-generators in each of the microgrid operation modes. Numbers 1 to 4 in this setting name refer to operation modes for the

microgrid. Depending on the type of isochronous machine and how the reserve margins are provided, four different operation modes can be considered for the microgrid.

For example the following mode numbers can be used:

Operation Mode3

Isochronous Operation Mode4

1. Dispatchable/CHP isochronous load sharing

2. Hydro in isochronous

3. Single dispatchable/CHP in isochronous

4. Grid in isochronous

For example, assume in a particular microgrid, one big cogenerator can operate in isochronous mode. This corresponds to Operation Mode 3; however, any of the four operation modes can be assigned to a single co-generator in isochronous. If the operator follows the suggested operation-mode assignment (that is, Operation Mode 3 is single dispatchable/CHP in isochronous) and Co-generator 1 is supposed to be the isochronous machine, the following are set for this machine:

• Operation Mode 1 = Droop

• Operation Mode 2 = Isoch

• Operation Mode 3 = Droop

• Operation Mode 4 = Droop

In this manner, if you select the third mode to be the active mode for the microgrid, then Co-generator 1 can run in isochronous mode by receiving the isochronous command from DMC490. For the other microgrid operation modes, Co-generator 1 is in nonisochronous mode (as set by zero values).

Electric Constraint Mode

The 'Soft' constraint means that the co-generator is allowed to violate its minimum power generation level but at the cost of a penalty in the objective function. Having the possibility of going below the minimum power (soft constraint) can positively affect the feasibility of the microgrid optimization problem. The 'Hard' constraint means that the co-generator is not allowed to go below its minimum power generation level. Use this setting in conjunction with Electric Power Penalty.

Electric Power Penalty

setting puts a numerical value on the minimum power violation. When the violation from minimum power is critical, set a high value here.

($/kWh)

$1,000,000

Droop

Hard Soft

$0 to 1000 per kWh

$10

Hard

$0 per

kWh

DMC490 Configuration

Name

Specify the name of the asset.

Boiler

Minimum Power

Specify the preferred minimum heat power in kW that the boiler is

0 to

50 kW

Status Points

The following field mappings apply to the status and read only inputs that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > CHP Asset configuration page

• Net Electric Meter Power: This field indicates the electric power generation values in kW read from

different co-generators in the system.

• Net Heat Meter Power: This field indicates the heat power generation values in kW read from different

co-generators in the system.

• Electric Online: This field indicates if the co-generator is online or offline for electricity production. It is

not necessarily the same as being available for use in the MGC optimization calculations.

• Heat Online: This field indicates if the co-generator is online or offline for heat production. It is not

necessarily the same as being available for use in the MGC optimization calculations.

• Electric Isoch Mode: This field indicates if the electricity-generating function of the co-generator is in

isochronous or droop mode.

• Electric Availability: Availability is declared by the co-generator. This field indicates if the co-generator

can be controlled by the MGC for electricity production and included in the optimization problem solved by the MGC. An online co-generator is not necessarily an available co-generator. The availability signal is built into the co-generator’s local controller based on some parameters and is read by the MGC.

The following field mappings apply to the AO/DO control points that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > CHP Asset configuration page:

• Electric Power Ref: This field refers to the electric power reference points of co-generators, in kW.

Their values are computed by the MGC dispatch algorithm.

• Operation mode: This is an Analog output which refers to the current microgrid operation mode of the

asset (as described in section System Settings on page 19, see the Active Mode setting).

• Watchdog: This is a Digital Output command used to inform the asset that the MGC controller is

active. A Digital Output command is sent on this point with the value toggling between 0 and 1 every 10 seconds.

Boiler Asset

Point Settings

Setting Description Range Default

Asset ID Unique asset ID assigned by the DMC490 MGC.

Asset_ Enabled

Rated Power (kW)

Specify if the asset is to be included in the microgrid optimization calculations.

Specify the maximum heat generation capacity of the boiler in kW. Some manufacturers provide the rating in kW and otherwise use the related handbooks or Internet to find an appropriate conversion procedure.

Disabled Enabled

0 to 1,000,000 kW

Enabled

250 kW

(kW)

to generate.

1,000,000 kW

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Specify the cost of fuel that operates the boiler, in dollars per

0 to 1,000

0.35

Start Cost ($)

Specify the cost in dollars to power up the boiler. Include the cost(s)

$0 to

$50

Stop Cost ($)

Specify the cost in dollars to power up the boiler. Include the cost(s)

$0 to

$50

Efficiency

Specify the efficiency of the boiler to produce heat, expressed in

sources can be found in the related handbooks or the Internet.

0 to 1,000

13.5

Constraint Mode

If soft constraint is selected, which means that the boiler is allowed

Hard

and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

Fuel Cost ($/Nm3)

normal cubic meter (Nm3). For example, enter the price of the natural gas. The default value of $0.35 per Nm3 is almost equal to $1 per Therm or $10 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value

and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

Fuel Density (kg/Nm3)

Specify the density of the fuel of the boiler in terms of kg per normal cubic meter (Nm3), which is a typical unit for gaseous fuels such as natural gas. Any fuel source has its own density; search the related handbooks or Internet for the appropriate value.

$/Nm3

0 to 1,000 kg/Nm3

$/Nm3

0.8

kg/Nm3

Minimum Power Penalty

that you think are important based on your experience with the heat generation resource and the microgrid. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value and be consistent in all fields involving the currency.

terms of kWh heat generated per kg of fuel consumed. Assuming the fuel to be natural gas, the default value of 13.5 kWh/kg translates to almost 90% efficiency considering the energy content of natural gas. Calculate the number using the related curves for your boiler. If the boiler efficiency is available in terms of percent, this setting can simply be determined by multiplying the percent value with the higher heating value or energy content of the input fuel in terms of kWh/kg. Higher heating values for different fuel

to violate its minimum heat generation level but at the cost of a penalty in the objective function. Having the possibility of going below the minimum heat (soft constraint) can positively affect the feasibility of the microgrid optimization problem.

If hard constraint is selected, this means that the boiler is not allowed to go below its minimum heat generation level.

Use this setting in conjunction with Constraint Mode. This setting puts a penalty value on the violation from the minimum heat power. When violation from the minimum heat power is critical, set a high value here. The cost is in dollars; for other currencies simply enter that value

$1,000

kWh/kg

Soft

0 to 1,000 10

kWh/kg

Status Points

The following field mappings apply to the status and read only inputs that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > Boiler Asset configuration page:

• Net Meter Power: This field indicates the heat power generation values in kW read from different

boilers in the system.

DMC490 Configuration

Setting

Description

Range

Default

Enabled

Specify if the asset is to be included in the microgrid

Disabled

Enabled

• Online: This field indicates if the boiler is online or offline. It is not necessarily the same as being

available for use in the MGC optimization calculations.

• Input Isoch Mode: This field indicates if the boiler is in isochronous or droop mode, as read from the

boiler by the MGC.

• Availability: Availability is declared by the boiler. This field indicates if the boiler can be controlled by

the MGC and included in the optimization problem solved by the MGC. An online boiler is not necessarily an available boiler. The availability signal is built into the boiler’s local controller based on some parameters and is read by the MGC.

The following field mappings apply to the AO/DO control points that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > Boiler Asset configuration page:

• Power Ref: This field refers to the heat power reference points of boilers, in kW. Their values are

computed by the MGC dispatch algorithm.

• Start: Start/stop is a command. When the MGC sends the start command, the boiler comes online

after some time.

• Output Isoch Mode: This field indicates if the boiler is to be in isochronous or droop mode, as sent to

the boiler from the MGC.

• Operation mode: This is an Analog output which refers to the current microgrid operation mode of the

asset (as described in section System Settings on page 19, see the Active Mode setting).

• Watchdog: This is a Digital Output command used to inform the asset that the MGC controller is

active. A Digital Output command is sent on this point with the value toggling between 0 and 1 every 10 seconds.

Heat Load Asset

Point Settings

Asset ID Unique asset ID assigned by the DMC490 MGC. Name Specify the name of the asset. Heat Load Asset_

optimization calculations.

Status Points

The following field mappings apply to the status/control and read only inputs that are to be mapped to the Microgrid controller > Heat Load Asset configuration page:

• Net Meter Power: This field indicates the values of demanding heat powers in kW read from different

heat loads in the system.

• Online: This field indicates if the heat load is online or offline, meaning consuming heat or not.

• Operation mode: This is an Analog output which refers to the current microgrid operation mode of the

asset (as described in section System Settings on page 19, see the Active Mode setting).

• Watchdog: This is a Digital Output command used to inform the asset that the MGC controller is

active. A Digital Output command is sent on this point with the value toggling between 0 and 1 every 10 seconds.

Enabled

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Setting

Description

Range

Default

4 to 20 characters

DMC490 MGC

Specify the microgrid operation mode to use. An example of

Isochronous Margin Plus4 (%)

Isochronous

(%)

Configure System Settings

System Settings are used to configure isochronous or droop control.

» To configure System Settings:

Navigate to Configuration > MGC > Settings >

• System Settings

• Boiler asset

• Heat Load asset

System Settings

System Specify a name for the system.

Active Mode

mapping is as follows:

1. Dispatchable isochronous load share (default)

2. Renewable in isochronous

3. Single dispatch in isochronous (CHP)

4. Grid in isochronous When you have two wind turbines, battery storage, hydro, a backup diesel generator, and a grid connection, all four modes

potentially apply. In this case, because the grid connection exists, the grid

behaves like an isochronous machine, and hydro in isochronous mode or dispatchable in isochronous mode cannot be selected.

Isochronous Margin Plus1 (%)

Isochronous Margin Plus2 (%)

Isochronous Margin Plus3 (%)

Margin Minus1 (%)

Margin Minus2

Isochronous Margin Minus3 (%)

When connected to a grid, the grid compensates for any imbalance between load and generation in the microgrid, behaving like an isochronous machine for the microgrid. However, for islanded microgrids, there is a need for an isochronous machine to maintain load-generation balance and stabilize the microgrid for instantaneous load and renewable generation variations above or below the forecasted values. Such an isochronous machine provides reserve margins in both positive and negative directions to address the deficit or surplus of power, respectively. These margins are defined as a percent of the total load in the microgrid and need to be defined for both grid-connected and islanded microgrids. Configure the margins for a microgrid, for both power deficit (the plus margin) and power surplus (the minus margin). The numbers 1 to 4 in these setting names correspond to the following microgrid operation modes. Configure all values. The higher the variation in power generation, the greater the margin.

1 to 4 1

0% to 100% 0.2%

DMC490 Configuration

Isochronous

1. Dispatchable isochronous load share (default)

Margin Plus (%)

Isochronous

Constraint Mode

Soft constraint means that there are slack variables (in different

Hard

Power Balance

Power balance refers to a match between power generation

0 to 1000

0 $/kWh

Margin Minus4 (%)

Heat Isochronous

Margin Minus (%)

2. Renewable in isochronous

3. Single dispatch in isochronous (CHP)

4. Grid in isochronous For example, due to the highly variable nature of solar and wind power, a larger margin can be entered than for a hydro or

CHP installation. When connected to a grid, the grid compensates for any

imbalance between load and generation in the microgrid, behaving like an isochronous machine for the microgrid. However, for islanded microgrids, there is a need for an isochronous machine to maintain load-generation balance and stabilize the microgrid for instantaneous load and renewable generation variations above or below the forecasted values. Such an isochronous machine provides reserve margins in both positive and negative directions to address the deficit or surplus of power, respectively. These margins are defined as a percent of the total load in the microgrid and need to be defined for both grid-connected and islanded microgrids. Configure the margins for a microgrid, for both power deficit (the plus margin) and power surplus (the minus margin). The numbers 1 to 4 correspond to the following microgrid operation modes. Configure all values. The higher the variation in power generation, the greater the margin.

1. Dispatchable isochronous load share (default)

2. Renewable in isochronous

3. Single dispatch in isochronous (CHP)

4. Grid in isochronous For example, due to the highly variable nature of solar and

wind power, a larger margin can be entered than for a hydro or CHP installation. Configure these settings for a microgrid, for heat deficit (plus margin) and heat surplus (minus margin).

0% to 100% 0.2%

time steps) in the power-balance constraints of the optimization problem that are penalized in the objective function.

Hard constraint means such slack variables do not exist. These slack variables are defined to insure the feasibility of the optimization problem without significantly compromising/influencing the reserve-margin requirements of the microgrid specified in the same panel.

Penalty ($/kWh)

and demand/load. The power being generated at any one time ideally equals the power being consumed at that time. Specify a penalty on power balance violation, for both excess power and shortages. Use this setting in conjunction with Constraint Mode.

Soft

$/kWh

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Heat Constraint

Soft constraint means that the microgrid is allowed to violate its

the same panel.

Setting

Description

Range

Default

Prediction

Specify the length of time for DMC490 MGC prediction. For

1 to 48

24 hours

Mode

Heat Power Balance Penalty ($/kWh)

heat power balance but at the cost of a penalty in the objective function. Having the possibility of going above or below the heat power balance (soft constraint) helps the feasibility of the optimization.

Hard constraint means that the microgrid is not allowed to go above or below the heat power balance margins specified in

Specify a penalty on a violation of heat power balance, for both excess heat and heat storage. Use this setting in conjunction with Heat Constraint Mode.

Hard Soft

0 to 1000 $/kWh

Hard

0 $/kWh

Economic Dispatch Settings

Economic dispatch setup specifies the length of time for prediction (Prediction Horizon) and the optimization resolution (Dispatch Time), both of which determine the size of forecast parameters as well as decision variables for the microgrid optimization problem. For each renewable, grid, load, and heat load forecasts, there are 240 registers available in the DMC490 MGC and up to 48 hours are possible as the Prediction Horizon. The Dispatch Time needs to be set in conjunction with the Prediction Horizon so that the number of forecast values is not more than 240.

Point Settings

Horizon (hours)

example, a Prediction Horizon of 24 hours sets the MGC to predict the optimal operation of the microgrid for the next 24 hours based on the 24-hour forecasts values for loads, renewables, and grid prices. Select a value for Prediction Horizon that ensures no more than 240 points are generated based on the Dispatch Time interval. For example, for a sixminute Dispatch Time, the maximum value that can be set for Prediction Horizon is 24 hours (that is, 24 hours / 6 minutes = 240).

hours

DMC490 Configuration

Dispatch Time

This setting is the optimization time resolution. It specifies the

Isochronous

This setting is the time that the DMC490 waits after

10 to 720

(Seconds)

largest unit to the smallest unit.

seconds

(Minutes)

frequency at which the DMC490 generates a data file based on the collected information from the microgrid, solves the optimization problem, and update commands for the resources in the microgrid. Select a value that ensures no more than 240 points are generated based on the Prediction Horizon.

For example, for a 48-hour Prediction Horizon, the minimum value that can be set for Dispatch Time is 12 minutes (that is, 48 hours / 12 minutes = 240). The HMI panel reflects this setting as the Time to Next Command Update.

The DMC490 MGC concludes the microgrid optimal solution within two minutes. Depending on the number of assets in the microgrid, inappropriate setting of Prediction Horizon and Dispatch Time can lead to the violation of this twominute time limit, which initiates an alarm. For microgrids with a relatively large number of assets, reduce the Prediction Horizon and/or increase the Dispatch Time from the default values. As an example, for a microgrid with eight dispatchables, two renewables, and one hydrogen storage (including electrolyzer, high-pressure storage cylinders, and fuel cell), the optimal solution is found in less than 80 seconds based on the default values for Prediction Horizon (24 hours) and Dispatch Time (12 minutes).

6 minutes 12 minutes 18 minutes 24 minutes 30 minutes 36 minutes 42 minutes 48 minutes

6 minutes

Command Scheduler Settings

Configure the startup and shutdown time intervals for:

• Dispatchable resources and

• Storage resources

Command Scheduler settings are used to apply optimal dispatch advice with a sequence that does not endanger the microgrid stability and which has low impact on the microgrid voltage and frequency profile.

Point Settings

Setting Description Range Default

Command Check Time (Seconds)

Dispatchable Units Settings

Setting Description Range Default

Time Interval Between Start Ups

Time Interval Between Shut Downs (Seconds)

sending the isochronous command to check if the command has been implemented or not.

This setting is the minimum delay between starting dispatchable units. This action always starts from the

This setting is the minimum delay between stopping dispatchable units. This action always starts from the largest unit to the smallest unit.

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 seconds

10 seconds

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Minimum Delay

This setting is the minimum delay between last starting

10, 20, 30,

Start Ups (Seconds)

seconds

Time Interval

This setting is the minimum delay between stopping

10, 20, 30,

10 seconds

Time Interval

This setting is the minimum delay between starting

10, 20, 30,

10 seconds Between Last Start Up and First Shut Down (Seconds)

and the first stopping of dispatchable units.

40, 50, 60 seconds

Storage Units Settings

Point Settings

Setting Description Range Default

Time Interval Between Discharging

This setting is the minimum delay between starting discharging storage units.

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60

10 seconds

Between Charging Shut Downs (Seconds)

Time Interval Between Discharging Shut Downs (Seconds)

Between Charging Start Ups (Seconds)

charging storage units.

This setting is the minimum delay between stopping discharging storage units.

charging storage units.

40, 50, 60 seconds

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 seconds

40, 50, 60 seconds

10 seconds

Health Status and Monitoring

Health Status and Chapter 3 -

Monitoring

The MGC application provides health status information in the form of Pseudo points in the Point Summary of MGC table. Navigate to this table in the D400 HMI at: Point Summary > Applications > Microgrid Controller.

The following table lists the Point Summary of MGC status points and their descriptions.

Health and Monitoring points Status

Status point name Action

MGC - Solver timed out Solver related error: unable to find a solution within a reasonable amount of time

MGC - Solution Status Solver related error: the solver fails to find a solution, for example due to insufficient

Optimal Control Feasibility Solver related error: the problem has no feasible solution, meaning that there is no

Optimal Control Optimality Solver related error: no converge to an optimal solution

MGC Solver data valid Solver related error: data file parsing fails; error with the generated data file

MGC solver – solution is feasible Solver related error: solution is out of range

MGC Solver solution is defined Solver related error: undefined solution

MGC Solver solution bound Solver related error: solution is not finite (feasibility condition is not violated but the

Unexpected Disp [1...16] Offline One of the dispatchable resources went offline unexpectedly

Unexpected Disp [1...16] Online One of the dispatchable resources came online unexpectedly

Unexpected Disp [1...16] in Droop Discrepancy between the "Isoch" command and actual reading from the device

Unexpected Disp [1...16] in Isoch Discrepancy between the "Droop" command and actual reading from the

Unexpected Renew [1...16] in Droop

Unexpected Renew [1...16] in Isoch

Unexpected StoreChg [1...16] Offline One of the charging storage devices went offline unexpectedly

Unexpected StoreChg [1...16] Online One of the charging storage devices came online unexpectedly

Unexpected StoreDischg [1...16] Offline One of the storage devices supplying electricity to the microgrid went offline

Unexpected StoreDischg [1...16] Online One of the storage devices that supplies electricity to the microgrid came online

Unexpected CHP Offline (1…8) One of the CHP devices went offline unexpectedly

Unexpected CHP Droop(1…8) Discrepancy between the "Isoch" command and actual reading from the device

Unexpected CHP Isoch(1…8) Discrepancy between the "Droop" command and actual reading from the device

Unexpected Grid Offline Grid connection went offline unexpectedly

Unexpected Boiler Offline (1…8) One of the Boiler devices supplying Heat to the microgrid went offline unexpectedly

Unexpected Boiler Online(1…8) One of the Boiler devices supplying Heat to the microgrid went Online unexpectedly

memory

solution that satisfies all the constraints

value of one or more decision variables and the objective function approach infinity)

device

Discrepancy between the "Isoch" command and actual reading from the device

Discrepancy between the "Droop" command and actual reading from the device

unexpectedly

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Forecasts Chapter 4 -

This chapter outlines how to provide forecast values for:

• Renewable,

• Electrical Load,

• Heat Load,

• Grid Buy Price, and

• Grid Sell Prices.

Common Forecast Settings

The settings in the following subsections are common to all types of forecasts.

Resolution

Range: 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360 minutes

Default: 120 minutes

This setting determines how many time labels to display in the panel. When set to 60 minutes, 24 time labels display. When set to 360 minutes, there are five times displayed, for example 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, 18:00, and 24:00. Note that Prediction Horizon and Dispatch Time settings specify the total number of required forecast values. For example, 120 forecast values are required based on a Prediction Horizon of 24 hours and Dispatch Time of 12 minutes. If Resolution is set to 60 minutes, only 25 forecast values can be provided by the user corresponding to each hour from 00:00 to 24:00. In order to cover the forecast requirements for the whole Prediction Horizon, the DMC490 interpolates the required 120 forecast values based on the 25 values provided by the user.

Offset

Range number

Default: 0 minutes

Specify the time stamp of the first value with respect to the DMC490 reference time, which is assumed to be 12:00 AM. Use (Present Time – 00:00) * 60 to set the offset, and generate appropriate time labels for the forecast values. For example, if the Resolution is 120 minutes, and the present time when forecast values are sent to the DMC490 is 06:00, enter 360 minutes to display the time labels as 06:00, 08:00, 10:00, and so on. If you change this value, the DMC490 interpolates the forecasted data the first time to fill the time gap created by the offset.

Forecasts

Forecasts for Renewables

There are two types of Forecasts required for Renewables.

• Renewable Power forecast:

This parameter specifies the forecasted power for the next 24 hours. This value must be in kW.

• Renewable Capability Forecast:

This parameter allows you to consider adjusting the values seasonally. For example, wind turbine output can be lowest in summer when demand is highest, making entry of such data crucial. This panel documents forecasted output power. Potential output is entered in the Renewable Capability panel This value must be between 0 and 1

The Renewable Panel

The Renewable panel allows for variation in renewable output. Depending on geographical location, some renewable resources, such as a run-of-the-river hydro unit with reservoir, can provide relatively reliable and stable output power in certain periods. This qualifies them to operate as an isochronous machine in the microgrid. However, in order to support such a feature in the microgrid optimization framework, a parameter titled Renewable Capability is provided over the prediction horizon. This parameter, which is only applicable to renewable resources operating as isochronous machines, indicates potential output power as a coefficient between 0 and 1. When no Renewable Capability forecast is provided by the user, a default value of 1 is used by the DMC490.

Forecast – Internal flag

Specify if the forecast calculated by the DMC490 (internal) or another forecast is to be used (external). There are two options available for updating the renewable forecast information:

• Option 1: Use the internal forecast algorithm of the DMC490.

• Option 2: Have an external device perform the forecast and communicate the forecasted data to the

DMC490 . In this case, for each renewable resource, there are 240 registers available in the DMC490.

Forecast Capability- Internal flag

This setting is defined for hydro machines operating in isochronous mode. Support of isochronous operation of renewable resources (such as a run-of-the-river hydro unit with reservoir) is made possible by defining Renewable Capability over the prediction horizon that represents a fraction (0 to 1) from the generator rated power. Internal Capability enables the user to use the "internal" update of this fraction (using accumulated measurements to build the forecasted values) or to rely on updates from an "external" device

Resolution and Offset are explained in in the Forecast Value Update Procedure section.

Forecasts for Electrical Load

This panel allows you to provide load forecasts in kW

Internal as TRUE: The MGC relies on the past 24 hours Meter/measured Load from the Asset.

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Forecasts for Grid Buy Price

This panel allows you to provide grid buy price forecasts in $/kWh. If you select one of the importing or exporting options, there is no limitation and the unit is enable to either import or export over the prediction horizon based on your setting.

Forecast - Internal: If set to TRUE, the MGC relies on the past Internal file based Price.

Forecasts for Grid Sell Price

Set the sell price of electricity in this panel, meaning the prices at which the grid purchases from the microgrid. The information is similar to the previous section. The Grid Sell field specifies the grid to which the microgrid exports

Forecast - Internal: If set to TRUE, the MGC relies on the past Internal file based Price.

Forecasts for Heat Load

Set the expected demand for heat in this panel, for use in forecasts. The information is similar to the Load section earlier

Forecast - Internal: The MGC relies on the past 24 hours Meter/measured Heat Load from the Asset

Forecast Value Update Procedure

The procedure for updating the Forecast information is common for:

• Renewable,

• Electrical Load,

• Heat Load,

• Grid Buy Price, and

• Grid Sell Prices.

The Resolution and Offset are applicable for Load, Grid, Renewable and Heat Load forecasts.

1. Select the appropriate values for the Resolution, Offset, Internal settings

Result: The MGC application creates Analog Output and Digital Output points accordingly.

2. Apply Forecasted values for the respective intervals using Analog Output points (path MGC > Point

Summary > Applications > Microgrid Controller > Analog Output)

3. Once all the Forecast values have been entered, apply the Digital Output command to implement the

Forecast values through MGC application (path MGC > Point Summary > Applications > Microgrid Controller > Digital Output)

For example: If you select:

• Load Forecast resolution as 60,

• Offset as 0 and

• Internal as False

Result: The MGC creates the following points in the Point summary of MGC > Point Summary > Applications > Microgrid Controller:

• 24 Analog Output points

• 1 Digital Output point

Forecasts

You provide the Forecasted values for each hour in the 24 Analog Output points:

• The first Analog Output point value is considered as the Forecasted Load for the hour at which the

DMC490 clock is running.

• Likewise the MGC issues values for the remaining 23 Analog Output points (for the remaining 23 hours)

and then applies a Digital Output command relevant to this Forecast section

DMC490 Microgrid Controller Software Configuration Guide

Modification Record

Version Revision Date Change Description

1.00 0 June 14, 2016 Document created.

1 July 21, 2016

2 Aug 12, 2016

3 Aug 19, 2016 Revised the About This Manual > Purpose section.

Added map instruction (step 11) to the Chapter 2 > Configuration Overview > Microgrid Assets > Configure and map microgrid assets procedure.

Added subsection: Using SGConfig to Configure the DMC490 to the Overview chapter.

GE DMC490 Software Configuration Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual