Infrastructure and Equipment

Smart Power System Lab

Modern power system grid incorporates controllers, communications and information technology infrastructure into the electrical power system to create a smart power system. The smart power system utilizes digital information technology to create networks which are efficient, reliable, responsive and flexible. With faster and new technologies in communication and computer incorporated into the system operation, a new paradigm shift has taken place in the power industry, especially in the field of power system protection, control and demand side management. Communication capability is one of the potential benefits for digital relays, which communicate not only with a control center, but with each other in a two-way format. This in turn facilitates the overall system-wide protection and control philosophy. The self-managing and reliable smart power system is seen as the future of protection and control systems. The main objective of this smart power system laboratory is to apply the concepts of real time analysis of a smart power system and implementing it on a smart grid test-bed in the energy system research laboratory at School of Electrical Skills. Implementation of control strategies for generating stations as well as power transfer to the loads by monitoring all system parameters in a laboratory scale have been developed in this setup. Laboratory experiments and their analyses enable the students gain confidence and knowledge to handle the real smart grid operation and maintenance with ease. The smart power system lab in BSDU has been created at cost of Rs 2 Crores and consists of following Trainer kits.

1. 1. Generation Kit
   2. Synchronisation Kit
   3. Double Bus Bar Kit
   4. Transmission Kit
   5. Distribution Kit
      1. Generation Kit

      In this trainer kit, students learn about basics of electricity generation,  effects of changes in loads and excitation voltage and generation of VEE inverted VEE curves. Since Generators are rotatory machines and have many parts (Stator, Rotor, Exciter, Bearings, cooling systems etc) they are more prone to failure vis a vis other equipment in the power system. Generators can be affected due to electrical faults (Overload, Phase/ground fault, Overvoltage, Unbalanced current, Sub-synchronous oscillation, Motoring, etc.) and also mechanical faults (Vibrations, Over speed, Under speed, Overheating, etc.), and this calls for incorporation of various protection devices in the power generation systems. On occurrence of faults, how the defect rectification is required to be done also needs clear understanding. All these aspects are clearly understood by conduct of experiments on the generation kit. With the available real time monitoring features, the type of fault, time and reason of occurrence of a fault, actual region of fault etc can be seen and appreciated with the help of SCADA software.

      2. Synchronisation Kit

      Due to degradation in fossil fuels, renewable sources of energy are used to generate electric power. However, the renewable energy is not sufficient to fulfil the load demand. Thus, it is necessary to integrate/synchronise this power with the power generated using conventional sources. Synchronization is the process of comparing the parameters like voltage, frequency and phase angle. When the parameters are with in specified limits, the two sources of power are paralleled to meet the load requirements. This kit enables the students to have a clear understanding of synchronisation process and the associated protection schemes including reverse power.

      3. Double Bus Bar Kit

      In a double bus bar system, two identical bus bars are used in such a way that any outgoing or incoming feeder can be supplied from any of the bus.  This type of arrangement provides the maximum reliability and flexibility in the power supply system, as any fault on a given bus bar or its maintenance requirements can be met without disturbing the power supply requirements of the load. This kit enables clear understanding of this concept using the load flow analysis for a three bus and four bus systems. The effect of load transfer from one bus to another bus in terms of voltage, current, active power, and reactive power at various points in the system can be studied and understood using this kit..

      4. Transmission Kit

      Transmission line is the medium to transfer electrical power from generating end to the load end. In this kit various experiments are performed for understanding the power transmission process. Effect of Ferranti effect on transmission line, calculation of efficiency, voltage regulation and power flow in different models( pi model and T model) of transmission line over different distances(short transmission line and long transmission line), load test of transmission lines, protection of transmission lines, fault analysis of various symmetrical and unsymmetrical faults in transmission lines, distance protection, zone protection, auto reclosing of circuit breakers, during occurrence of temporary faults, can be studied and understood using this kit.

      5. Distribution Kit

      Distribution system mainly comprises of electrical machines that are located at the load end and mainly consist of distribution transformers. In this kit understanding of the protection of distribution transformers during occurrence of  various faults(L-L(line to line ) and L-G( line to ground) faults at the primary and secondary sides of the transformer and over current faults) and power factor improvement using reactive power compensation schemes are studied, analysed and understood.