Novel simulation software for a hybrid system emulation test rig

This work is related to an entirely new software package designed to simulate a hybrid system emulation test rig located in Savona, Italy. The aim is the development of a real-time transient model which is capable of simulating the facility located inside the Thermochemical Power Group (TPG)’s laboratory, including potential future plant modifications. This work was done on the base of a collaborative informal agreement between the University of Manchester, UK, and the University of Genoa, Italy. The hybrid system emulator is an experimental plant based on the coupling of a commercial micro gas turbine of 100 kW (electrical power) to a modular volume which is a fuel cell emulator, designed for experimental tests with solid oxide fuel cells of different layouts or technology. The Matlab Simulink environment was used for transient model development and the turbine control system. This tool was developed using a modular approach (combining the models of components), making it user friendly, able to be used with different types of hybrid system emulators, and easy to incorporate future plant modifications. The model validation was carried out with experimental data collected in the laboratory by the TPG of the University of Genoa. Model results at both steady–state and transient operations were satisfactory compared with experimental data. The novelty aspects of this work are related to good performance obtained over a wide validation range (full operating power range). Moreover, the model is able to operate in real-time mode, considering microturbine conditions different from standard operation, such as additional pressure and temperature losses and unusual thermal capacitance. The simplicity in the model development makes it unique in comparison with other complex systems, because usually the model reliability performance is obtained with much more complex, and not real-time, tools. The excellent agreement of results obtained during validation makes it easier to study innovative hybrid system layouts in future calculations. Plans are under development by the TPG to analyse the option of increasing fuel cell pressure and performance with a booster system carried out with a commercial and low cost machine, such as a turbocharger.