Researchers and manufacturers can test the performance of electric vehicle, photovoltaic and smart grid components using a high-power-density grid simulator from UK firm MDL Technologies.

The four-quadrant, regenerative Chroma 61815 produces an AC power output of up to 15kVA in a form factor of 3U.

The simulator is suitable for testing electric vehicle power supply equipment, on-board chargers and bidirectional on-board chargers, as well as renewable energy equipment such as PV inverters, energy storage systems, power conditioning systems, micro grids and power hardware-in-the-loop systems.

Its regenerative operation means power generated by the device under test can be fed back into the grid rather than dissipating as heat, which lowers operating costs as well as helping the environment.

“With a rack height of only 3U, the Chroma 61815 offers the highest power density on the market,” said MDL managing director Mark Lucock.

Output can be single phase or three phase, and with voltage ranges of up to 350V LN and 606V LL the simulator can achieve 700V LN in a single-phase three-wire setup. If greater output power is needed, up to three units can be configured in parallel to produce 45kVA from a 9U form factor.

The 61815 can be used for testing to rigorous regulatory standards such as IEC 61000-3-2, 3-3, 3-11 and 3-12, and IEC 62116, and for testing electric vehicle to grid, electric vehicle to load, electric vehicle to home and energy storage systems.

Two other models in the series are available, the Chroma 61809 and Chroma 61812, which offer the same features but have lower power outputs of 9 and 12kVA, respectively.

MDL Technologies is an independent UK company supplying electronic test and measurement equipment and facilities, as well as offering consultancy, project management, installation and testing services. It operates in partnership with equipment manufacturers in fields such as power, EMC, RF, microwave, wireless, electrical safety and video test.