The event provided a space to exchange knowledge on the challenges and advancements in the integration of renewable energies and electrical grid simulation, highlighting the importance of testing in controlled and real-time environments to ensure the reliability and efficiency of future energy systems. Emilio and Raquel also held meetings with Poul Sørensen and Björn Andresen, technical leaders of the WG 27 and WG 21 working groups of the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) TC 88 (Wind Energy Generation Systems) technical committee, respectively.

The participation of the two UCLM professors in the seminar is of great relevance, especially considering that their research group has recently applied for funding to develop an innovative 4 MVA test bench capable of, among other things, testing photovoltaic solar inverters, conducting real-time simulations, and modeling and simulating electrical systems. Their attendance at the seminar is therefore closely related to the transfer of results and knowledge, establishing a link between research and practice. This exchange is also essential for optimizing energy solutions and fostering future collaborations in the field of renewable energies.

During the event, institutions such as NREL (The National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the United States), IWES (one of the 76 institutes and research centers of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in Germany), FSU (Florida State University), and Clemson University shared the latest advancements in the field of electrical grid testing and simulations. Some sessions addressed what are considered the best global practices for conducting tests on test benches and listed the main challenges in using these high-power benches to validate renewable energy components. The workshop also allowed for discussions on the validation process of wind converters and highlighted the need for greater standardization in the tests and measurements conducted during the testing of wind turbine components. Manufacturers also shared the future challenges they face in developing more advanced and efficient systems. Additionally, the event featured technical sessions on, among other things, the optimization of grid simulators through Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (pHiL) and real-time system testing, with presentations on closed-loop simulations (HiL) and inverter optimization in wind applications. After the event’s conclusion, participants traveled to Bremerhaven to visit the Fraunhofer IWES laboratories.

Attendance at the event was part of the 2024-TRAN-36709 project “Knowledge Transfer Unit for Grid Energy Integration,” funded by FEDER funds.