- Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) is a technique used in the development and testing of complex real-time embedded systems.
- In collaboration with the University of Queensland, EPEC has developed a version of HIL for use in renewable energy generators.
- Test for mismatch issues between the hardware and software, the technology will streamline the connection process, enhance performance, and expedite revenue generation.
Innovating to connect a sustainable future
Aligned with our commitment to innovation, we’re proud to introduce an industry-first technology that will improve how large energy projects connect to the grid:
- Test in real time environment
- Minimise cost and build time
- Be set up for ongoing success
“Through our extensive experience in commissioning large scale generation projects, EPEC has lived the challenges of rectifying the performance of control systems in the compliance testing phase (R2). We are all too familiar with the common design issues that can result in cost and delays to revenue generation. Our team is dedicated to providing an industry leading service to large scale generation projects to de-risk project delivery and not repeat the mistakes of the past. HIL is the perfect platform to provide certainty to the delivery for our future projects.”
Mark Parker, Technical Director and Founder at EPEC Group
Introducing a new-to-industry technology
The technology has been used in automotive, aerospace and defence industries for years – to design and test in parallel – simulating real scenarios and implementing improvements.
HIL is suitable for renewable energy generation projects that require cross discipline collaboration and have highly technical and evolving specifications throughout pre-commissioning phases.
For renewable generators, the pre-commissioning platform will enable examination and diagnosis of the software to hardware mismatch issues that are typically encountered before or during commissioning.
“Using hardware-in-the-loop testing to validate and pre-commission control systems provides security and certainty to the delivery of large-scale renewable projects by de-risking the chance for delays in the commissioning phase. HIL is the only way to ensure that the designed product meets the performance expected in real hardware before the devices reach site.”
Marty Johnson, Power Systems Engineer at EPEC Group
Many large-scale renewable generators experienced commissioning delays and financial losses due to R1 (design) and R2 (compliance testing) performance mismatches. These delays and losses have been major contributors to high-profile project and company failures in recent years.
How does it work?
HIL is a new platform and standardised procedure for testing the performance of AGCS during the pre-commissioning phase.
By building a digital twin system (to the real generator), the platform can be used for diagnosis during commissioning and ongoing operation.
The real time technology will reduce the risk of non-conformance between registration (R1) and hold-point testing (R2) during the generator commissioning phase.
For our clients, we expect these improvements to result in enhanced confidence and stronger partnerships, through:
- Maximising reliability and performance
- Mitigation of risks and improved compliance
- Streamlined commissioning, compliance, and integration phases
- Empowered decision making for on-site engineers and operators