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Power Systems Project Example
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Project Title: Inverter Test Procedure Demonstration
Plug Power, LLC., Latham, NY
BACKGROUND
In response to a request from the Chair of the Nwew York State Public
Service Commission, the New York State Department of Public Service
(DPS) initiated a collaborative investigation for standardizing and
streamlining interconnection requirements for small distributed electric
generation. DPS staff organized an Interconnection Standardization
Working Group with representatives from utilities and equipment manufacturers.
Grid interconnection technical issues were discussed and debated at
a number of meetings. The Working Group prepared a report, Standard
interconnection Requirements (SIR), for inverters rated less than
300 kVA connected to radial distribution lines, documenting where
the group did, or did not, reach consensus in developing technical
grid interconnection requirements for distributed generation systems.
The Working Group reached a consensus in developing a procedure for
type-testing and verification-testing of static inverters for distributed
generators smaller than 300 kVA connected to radial distribution lines.
Type-testing is performed once for a specific interface package. The
SIR document requires that all inverter designs be type-tested by
an independent testing laboratory. Once an inverter design meets the
type-test criteria, the design would be accepted by all New York State
utilities.
OBJECTIVE
The objective is to demonstrate static inverter interface equipment
manufacturers' verification-testing, and the type-testing procedure
that is in compliance with the proposed New York State Standard Interconnection
Requirements formulated by the Interconnection Standardization Working
Group, for distributed generators less than 300 kVA connected to radial
distribution lines.
DESCRIPTION
An independent testing laboratory will perform the inverter manufacturers'
verification-testing protocol, and conduct type-testing procedures in
compliance with the proposed New York State Standard Interconnection
Requirements. Two inverters will be tested, a single-phase non-islanding
inverter rated less than 10 kW, and a three-phase inverter with integrated
protection and control rated less than 300 kW.
BENEFITS
The project will demonstrate a well-defined static inverter test procedure,
similar to the testing procedures in place for other electrical equipment,
that will be in compliance with the proposed New York State Standard
Interconnection Requirements. This will have applications to a number
of emerging new distributed generation technologies that utilize static
inverters such as fuel cells, photovoltaics, microturbines, and wind
power. Inverter testing may become a new business service for New York
State testing laboratories that could lead to future employment opportunities.
SCHEDULE AND STATUS
Testing at UL labs revealed no major difficulties with following the
SIR document procedures with single-phase inverters. Problems were experienced
with testing three-phase inverters because of the isolation transformers.
Additional testing evaluated all combinations of "y-delta" and "delta-y"
inverter isolation/utility distribution transformer wiring.
Staff Contact
Joseph Sayer
Sr. Project Manager
ext. 3298
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17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399 Toll-Free:
1-866-NYSERDA or Local: 518-862-1090 Fax: 518-862-1091
New York City and Buffalo Regional Offices
© 2004 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
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