Leveraging HIL Compatible for Safe and Efficient Energy Storage System Deployment

Introduction | The Value of HIL Compatible for BESS Deployment

Typhoon HIL’s modeling and testing solutions empower Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) integrators to validate battery and inverter functionality and interconnections, mitigating risks and enhancing efficiency pre-deployment. HIL modeling provides a safe platform for testing the interoperability of power plant control software, commissioning validation, and fault emulation, addressing safety, and checking the limitations of equipment without damage to hardware.

IHI Terrasun’s adoption of Typhoon HIL’s platform exemplifies the effectiveness of Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop (C-HIL) and real-time modeling for large-scale BESS projects, highlighting Typhoon HIL as the preferred choice for integrators. IHI Terrasun’s commitment to using OEMs with HIL Compatible products amplifies modeling and testing efficiency, providing a robust testbed to support the ESS lifecycle effectively. This strategic approach not only reduces commissioning and operation risks but also optimizes system performance, underscoring the value of HIL Compatible solutions in the integration process.

Webinar Overview | Leveraging HIL Compatible for Safe and Efficient Energy Storage System Deployment

This Grid Modernization webinar hosted by Typhoon HIL focused on experiences from IHI Terrasun on leveraging C-HIL technology for safe and efficient energy storage system deployment. Matt O’Donnell, the Director of Grid Modernization at Typhoon HIL, introduced us to the agenda, the speakers, the HIL Compatible concept, and the business and technical use cases of IHI Terrasun.

Matt Baker, Vice President of Grid Modernization at Typhoon HIL, provided an overview of Typhoon HIL’s capabilities and the importance of HIL technology. He emphasized the need for effective power electronics and digital control testing, using the example of an aircraft carrier as a complex microgrid. Baker highlighted Typhoon HIL’s global presence and focus on e-mobility, power electronics, and grid modernization, stressing the importance of high-fidelity real-time simulation for testing power electronics.

Ray Saka, VP of Business Strategy and Services at IHI Terrasun, discussed the rapid growth of the energy storage industry and the importance of grid reliability and robust testing processes. He provided insights into IHI Corporation’s extensive experience in deploying energy storage systems and the critical role of HIL testing in ensuring system reliability. Saka emphasized the need for thorough testing and validation to support grid stability and compliance with industry standards.

Jim Cleveland, Senior Manager of Controls Engineering and Quality Assurance at IHI Terrasun, delved into the technical aspects of HIL testing. He explained how HIL systems can be used before, during, and after integration to test new devices, develop new features, and ensure safe control behavior. Cleveland highlighted the benefits of HIL testing, including the ability to simulate faults and edge cases, and the importance of real-time simulation for accurate testing of power electronics.

The webinar concluded with a Q&A session where the panelists addressed various questions from the audience. Topics included the challenges of running simulations on multiple HIL systems, the adoption of new standards like IEE 2800, and the importance of maintaining high fidelity in C-HIL testing. The session emphasized the critical role of HIL technology in advancing energy storage system deployment and ensuring grid reliability.

In this webinar, you will learn about:

• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) principals and the options with HIL Compatible for OEMs.
• Typhoon HIL application through each stage of a power plant software development lifecycle.
• IEEE 2800 standard and why validation on HIL systems will be essential for meeting future requirements.
• How efficient model productization created value stacking throughout the lifecycle.
• The utility of HIL Compatible for an integrator.
• HIL as a value proposition for energy storage system integrators.

Learn More | Meet the Panelists 

For this webinar, we invited two panelists to join us for a discussion:

• Ray Saka, Vice President of Business Strategy and Services at IHI Terrasun
• Jim Cleveland, Senior Manager of Controls Engineering and Quality Assurance at IHI Terrasun

The webinar discussion was moderated by:

• Matt Baker, Vice President for Grid Modernization at Typhoon HIL
• Matt O’Donnell, Director for Grid Modernization at Typhoon HIL

Find out more about our panelists and moderators from their short biographies below.

Ray Saka

Ray Saka is the Vice President of Business Strategy and Services at IHI Terrasun Solutions (IHI Terrasun), a system integrator of battery energy storage systems. Ray has years of experience in solar and battery energy storage development; he is an expert in inverters and inverter-based resources, especially DC-coupled systems, grid integration, and operations. Currently, he manages business strategy and services teams for IHI Terrasun, including procurement, development, and field engineering. Saka has written several articles on inverter reliability, solar and energy storage coupling, and presented topics at utility conferences such as Intersolar North America and European Union, and Greentech Media events.  He is also a contributing member of the P2800.2 working group, devoting time to defining testing standards for the new IEEE2800 Grid-Interconnected Inverter Based (IBR) Resources. 

Jim Cleveland

Jim Cleveland is a distinguished engineer who has built his career in energy storage from its nascence almost a decade ago. Jim is an expert in system controls and validation, doing system integration, simulation, and testing automation for battery energy storage projects at IHI Terrasun starting with a handful of projects to growing the portfolio 10x. He is currently the Senior Manager of Controls Engineering and Quality Assurance at IHI Terrasun Solutions which does battery integration, power plant software, and field services for large-scale energy storage projects in North America. Deeply focused on customer experience and project operation excellence, Jim is involved from the start with project design following to controls software validation and post-commissioning support for field services. 

Matt Baker

Matt Baker brings a wealth of experience to the Typhoon team in his role as the Vice President for Grid Modernization. He has worked at the company since 2017 in a sales and management role. Before Typhoon, Matt worked at Fairlead Integrated / Earl Energy where he focused on project management and business development for hybrid energy projects. His operations background includes 28 years of service in the United States Marine Corps where he commanded an infantry battalion in Afghanistan and the Security Cooperation Group charged with coordinating Marine Corps advising activities worldwide. Matt graduated from the Naval Academy with a BS in Aerospace Engineering, the University of Maryland with an MS in Aerospace Engineering, and Old Dominion University with an MBA. 

Matt O’Donnel

Matt O’Donnel joined Typhoon HIL in 2022 with a background in operations and project management oriented in the Federal sector. He currently serves as the Director of Grid Modernization Solutions with a focus on energy storage solution development and testing for academic, commercial, and government customers. 

IHI Terrasun Solutions

IHI Terrasun Solutions is an energy storage system solutions provider across North America and beyond. The projects range from standalone storage to DC and AC coupled solar plus storage in a variety of sizes and use cases, supported by the advanced software Terrasun has developed for the energy storage market.

Credits

Text | Debora Santo
Visuals | Karl Mickei
Blog Editor | Debora Santo