Distributed Energy Technologies Laboratory
(DETL)
APEC-ISGAN Workshop
Smart Grid International Research Facility Network
(SIRFN)
January 24-25, 2012
Washington, DC
Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of
Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000. SAND2009-2801P

Country/Economy Smart Grid Needs
(Testbed Perspective)
• Easily reconfigurable infrastructure for a variety of experiments
• Protocols in place to apply international standards
• Ability to assess components (hardware-in-the-loop) and integrated systems
• Ability to work at large scale, to simulate “real-world” grid-level effects
• High level of rigor in data collection, calibration, and accuracy
• Multiple layers of infrastructure: power systems, data/information processing, communications

DETL:
A Reconfigurable Smart-Grid Testbed
• Optimization of new DG/DER components and systems
– R&D and product development
– Pre-commercial testing and characterization
– Protocol and standards development
– Demonstration
• Scenarios
– Grid-connected and off-grid
– Controllable loads simulate residential, commercial
– Multiple sources
– Energy storage
– Home/building/network EMS

DETL Features
Offices
Lab Facilities
Energy
Storage
Test Pad
Linkages to smart-grid field demos:
Mesa del Sol
- PNM Prosperity project
- NMSU campus microgrid
- Others
• 150 kW PV
• 1MW-hr storage capability
• 250 kW inverter capacity
• 3Ø, 1-Ø µ-grids
• Communications infrastructure
(ethernet, wireless,
PLC)
• 10-node residential
• µ-inverter testbed
• 200kW diesel genset

3-Phase 480Vac Node/Microgrid
(3-phase)

1-Phase 120Vac Node/Microgrid

Labview-based SCADA/EMS Platform

Phasor Measurement Units (PMU)
GPS clock
PMU 1
Phasor Data
Concentrator
PMU 2

External PMU Network
18 MW PV Plant in southern CO
DETLPMU
500 kW PV/Battery
Site in Central NM
Sandia PDC
500 kW PV Plant in Northern NM
Microgrid Site at NMSU (planned)
Future
PMU

Test Capabilities
•
Arc Fault Detection and Mitigation
•
Intentional Islanding, voltage control
•
Emerging Communication Protocols

Solar Reconfigurable Open
Architecture Design (ROAD)
Service transformer
Single-phase
Lateral, 12.47 kV
• Replicate high PV penetration at residential scale
• Full flexibility at each node
• PV system
• Energy storage
• Programmable loads
• Smart Meter
• Utility/Home EMS

Large Inverter Testbed
12.47 kV
Xfrmr
500 kVa
3-phase
480 V
Existing DETL
3-Phase
Node/Microgrid
• Fully programmable AC and DC sources
• Ability to test larger PV inverters
• Ability to create 3-phase 480V microgrid setup with “feeder” impedance
250 kW 3-Phase Inverter Testbed
Series
Reactor
Program.
AC
Source
PV Array
Simulator
AC
PV
Inverter
Under Test DC

Large-Scale Energy Storage Testbed
DETL
Tie
PV/WIND
SIMULATOR
1 MW
(FUTURE)

Value of an International Collaboration
• DETL works with many industry partners interested in global markets
• Advances in power electronics are taking place across the globe – access to latest in new developments
• Greater knowledge/understanding of standards and protocols from other parts of world can facilitate incountry development
• Development and operations of test facilities can benefit from knowledge of testbed innovations in other countries