The objective of the WP is to conduct experimental testing for proof of concept evaluation of ELECTRA controllable flexibility solutions for voltage and frequency control, incorporating system modelling and simulation tools in order to prove the system performance across numerous devices distributed across the power system at laboratory scale level, since live tests are not in scope of ELECTRA. In summary:
• Definition of the requirements for evaluation and validation of future integrated frequency and voltage control algorithms
• To design and build an ELECTRA experimental proof-of-concept set-up including simulations, testing infrastructure and related interfaces in selected EERA research facilities
• To evaluate and validate the ELECTRA controllable flexibility concepts across a range of challenging system conditions
• Definition of key findings, lessons learned and recommendations for testing and validation of 2030 frequency and voltage control approaches.
Beside the focus on control algorithms WP7 will implement and test the proposed communication interfaces from WP4 and work towards facilitating easy transfer of controller implementations across the different lab facilities and interfacing between simulation tools and lab facilities. The WP will take the results from WP5 and WP6 and integrate them in proof of concept implementations. Based on detailed scenarios and use cases specifications from WP4 along with the models of observability and flexible components from WP5 and WP6, lab scale implementations of the technologies and solutions will be designed and integrated. It is planned to use the models developed in the other work packages and consolidate them in to a coherent set of models creating tools that are more generically applicable thus ensuring that lab tests are rigorous and support quantified evaluation and validation. Within the simulation environment it will be possible to characterize the interaction of different controls. From a research infrastructure perspective the interaction between laboratory facilities (hardware) and system simulation tools will be particularly considered (e.g. software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop tests with focus on controller-in-the-loop).This work utilizes and further extends the laboratory interaction interfaces realized in the DERri FP7 project (DERri – Distributed Energy Resources Research Infrastructure). The activity of WP7 will strongly rely on the joint use of research facilities within WP2. WP7 will also interact with WP8, future control room functionality, in order to provide a synthesis of the experimental results that will be presented and discussed with the stakeholders.
Important issues to be addressed include:
• The capability to study systems with large numbers of units (e.g. distributed energy resources) connected in the low voltage network, where the impact that they can have on the overall system performance will be considered, e.g. for balancing/frequency control as well as considering the consequences on the local voltage behaviour
• The management of events and device (DER and network component) responses on multiple timescales, spanning from fast electromechanical transients to unit commitment and market based control logics.
• Ability to span from detailed modelling, including the actual communication between the discrete participating units, to the performance of large systems incorporating numerous devices.
These issues are challenging from an implementation point of view i.e. adequacy of lab facilities and simulation tools as well as for the setting of relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that can be applied across the range of investigations. An added value of ELECTRA is the involvement of a significant number of ELECTRA partners having adequate laboratory infrastructure as well as main partners of the previous WPs.
As preparation of an early activity of this WP the set of tests to be performed and their specific location will be agreed.

WP7 Tasks:
• T7.1: Requirements and KPIs for the evaluation and validation of future integrated frequency and voltage control algorithms
• T7.2: Design, development and iterative improvement of the ELECTRA proof of concept environment
• T7.3: Evaluation and validation of the ELECTRA controllable flexibility
• T7.4: Recommendations for testing and validation of 2030 integrated frequency and voltage control approaches

WP Leader: Strasser T. (AIT)

WP Vice Leader: Bindner H. (DTU)

Partner involved: RSE, AIT, LABLEC, DTU, VTT, IWES, CRES, ENEA, IPE, SINTEF, INESC, TEC, JRC, TNO, TUBITAK, USTRATH, DERLAB