Implementation of a laboratory-scale microgrid

Abstract

For this project, two laboratory-scale microgrids (capable of <2 kW each) were designed and physically implemented. The first developed microgrid was an electromechanical set-up with a DC motor and an AC generator. The second one a solid-state inverter-based microgrid. Labview 2016 was used to implement the software control and feedback loops for both. They were assembled on carts with their own battery banks to allow ease of transportation and flexibility for classroom demonstrations and research experiments. This document covers the technical design, development and documentation for these set-ups. It is the hope of the author that a future professor, researcher or teacher assistant can utilize this thesis either as a guide to successfully use the currently built set-ups at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or to develop their own to use for their endeavors.