A microgrid laboratory has been opened by power solutions provider Cummins, allowing for the testing and configuration of assets – such as generator sets, energy storage systems, fuel cells and inverters – within a variety of microgrid configurations.
The power generation product designer opened the Power Integration Center (PIC) microgrid lab at their Power Systems facility in Fridley, Minnesota.
The PIC includes an outdoor test area, main switchgear room, electrical mezzanine and engineering control room. Assets such as generator sets, energy storage systems, fuel cells and inverters can be brought in for testing in a variety of possible microgrid configurations.
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According to the manufacturer, the microgrid lab comes in response to the need for reliable and efficient microgrid solutions; a result of changing governmental regulations, increasing cost of operations, inclement weather conditions and the instability of power grids.
The centre allows for the configuration, integration and testing of power system technologies, including battery storage systems, diesel and natural gas generator sets, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, fuel cells, transfer switches, switchgear and system-level controls.
Microgrid lab layout
The outdoor test area includes five 500kW test pads and two 2000kW test pads, which can be connected as sources or loads. Two 500kW programmable load banks allow for scenarios to be run using real customer load profile data, at up to 0.8 leading or lagging power factor.
Three indoor switchgear lineups connect different assets in the lab and tie into the site utility connection. A 500kW roof-mounted PV system is connected to the lab, as well as PV and energy storage simulators for testing various types of inverters.
The engineering control room includes workstations where technicians can access all elements of the microgrid system, and work collaboratively with customers and technical partners.
“The PIC is the realisation of a significant investment in engineering technology and innovation that will impact how companies use and build power systems to meet sustainability goals for a greener future,” stated Gary Johansen, vice president Power Systems Engineering and project sponsor.
The PIC also allows for the ability to experiment with multiple potential power system solutions directly alongside Cummins engineers, aiming to reduce costs and time spent on projects.
“We are always looking for ways to react to the needs of the market and improve our business, added Johansen. “Our customers are placing an even higher value on flexible and well-integrated solutions and this centre will help us speed up the time it takes to deliver those new solutions.”
