FLEXGRID

Advanced Insights

FLEXLAB has added new distributed energy resources testing capabilities with FLEXGRID, a system that enables real-time comparisons between demand, renewables, inverters and storage. FLEXGRID offers an unprecedented opportunity to research and develop technologies and controls that span both the supply and demand sides of the grid. With this highly instrumented and flexible infrastructure, separately metered and controllable inverters, batteries and building loads and can be paired with innovative controls strategies to manage energy use and create value for utilities and customers.

Learn more: FLEXGRID brochure

A Range of Control Modes

FLEXGRID's installed hardware includes photovoltaic arrays, a battery bank, inverters, Opal-RT grid simulator, Ametek regenerative power supply, programmable load banks, and has the capability to integrate with EV charging. Operational modes include:

• PV to Grid for developing baseline system operation and non-experimental power generation
• PV to Loads representing typical installation of a PV array and battery system
• Hardware-in-the-Loop for emulating electric grid conditions to test programmed inverter response to simulated power quality issues
• Direct PV to Battery Charging for studying battery/inverter characteristics
• Grid-Charging Battery for testing load-shifting strategies for utility rate structure cost improvement
• Electric Vehicle Charging for studying EV charging systems in combination with distributed energy resource controls