How to Test Microgrid Interoperability
Validate Coordinated DER and Utility Load Behavior
Performing microgrid testing requires evaluating the electrical and control interactions between distributed energy resources (DERs), such as battery energy storage systems, solar generation systems, and bidirectional electric vehicles (EVs) and EV supply equipment (EVSEs), controllable loads, and the utility grid. Engineers need to characterize key behaviors such as source-load balancing, inverter response, interoperability, grid interaction, and coordinated operation across AC power, DC links, and communications.
To test a microgrid, you need to emulate the main electrical grid and the distributed assets connected to it in a realistic lab environment. That means combining AC / grid emulation, EV / EVSE emulation, battery storage emulation, solar panel emulation, microgrid load emulation, and software for automation and analysis so you can validate interoperability within the microgrid, and how the microgrid interacts with the broader grid before deployment.
Microgrid Interoperability Test Solution
As mentioned above, a microgrid testbed needs several types of emulation. Keysight’s SL1200A AC / grid emulator is able to perform all AC-based emulation, including grid emulation, load emulation, and source emulation. The heart of Keysight’s DC emulation capabilities is the RP7900A regenerative power system, which can emulate both solar panels and battery packs. When paired with Keysight’s SL1040A Charging Discovery System, the RP7900A can also emulate both an EV or EVSE.
The architecture diagram shows an example of an integrated testbed with grid emulation, source simulation, inverter behavior, battery storage, EV and EVSE emulation, solar panel emulation, load emulation, communications, and a microgrid controller in one system. End-users can replace emulators with real devices under test, to isolate interoperability issues.
Explore Products For Microgrid Interoperability Test
-
![]()
SL1215A Scienlab Dual-Range Regenerative AC / Grid Emulator, 600 / 1200 VAC, 63 / 32.5 A, 90 kW / 135 kVA
-
![]()
SL1040A Scienlab Charging Discovery System (CDS) Series
-
![]()
RP7943A Regenerative Power System, 20 V, ±800 A, 10 kW, 400/480 VAC
-
DG9112A Advanced Photovoltaic 12-Input Inverter Test Software
-
![]()
SL1221A Anti-Islanding Conformance Test Automation Software for IEEE 1547.1-2020
Discover Resources and Insights
Additional Resources For Grid Modernization
Related Use Cases
-
![]()
Learn More
How to Verify EVSE Charging Conformance
Validating electric vehicle (EV) supply equipment requires verifying its conformance to worldwide standards and interoperability with different EV models on the market. Learn how to set up a test to emulate an EV and configure it for various specifications to test your EV supply equipment.
Learn More
-
![]()
Learn More
How to Test EV Charging Conformance
Validating conformance and interoperability of a new electric vehicle (EV) charging system requires verifying the device to worldwide standards. Learn how to use analysis and emulation to test your charging interfaces against various EV supply equipment.
Learn More
-
![]()
Learn More
How to Test for EV V2G Compliance
V2G compliance testing requires keeping up with a wide array of requirements. Learn about an automated pre-compliance grid emulation solution that supports comprehensive compliance testing.
Learn More
Get In Touch With One Of Our Experts
Need help finding the right solution for you?