Power Hardware in the Loop (PHIL) validation

Realistic systems-level grid experiments

The power network facilities are complemented with extensive real-time power system simulation capabilities enabling augmentation of the hardware network with simulated systems, which thereby representing large power networks. Simulated systems can be linked with real substation equipment – such as measurement devices, protection relays, and communications routers – to authentically and systematically validate prototype smart grid solutions.

Intelligent decision support and visualisation

Support future power system control

Using data analytics to enable autonomous, decentralised control architectures.

Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM)

Data-centric laboratory operation

The laboratory infrastructure has been mapped into the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM) for facilitating the integration of devices and use cases under test. This allows for fast prototype development and minimises possible incompatibilities or integration issues.

Grid distributed control architectures

Enabling renewable energy integration

Autonomous systems. Islanded (and auto-islanding) power systems. Dynamic power systems (e.g. marine/emergency). Distributed measurements.

Electric arc faults (high-power discharge of electricity between conductors) can develop in any electrical system. Generating heat, these faults can trigger dangerous electrical fires. In our quest to develop greener transport, we are studying the occurrence of these faults in direct current (DC) systems, aiming to assist industry in the safer development of aircraft electrification and robust protection technologies.

Many electrical utilities, worldwide, and implementing or planning a revolutionary shift in telecoms infrastructure: moving from conventional circuit-based networks to packet-based systems. At Strathclyde, we have pioneered techniques to validate these new technologies in the most challenging conditions to ensure that teleprotection services - the most safety and operationally critical role - are delivered correctly.

We have developed a Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) hardware prototype, using the Beckhoff platform to make synchronised measurements and perform the PMU algorithm processing. The PMU accepts analogue inputs in +/-10 V per-phase, 400 V three-phase, or using IEC 61850-9-2 Sampled Values (at various sampling rates).

This has been developed as part of the EURAMET ENG52 "Smart Grid II" project. The aim of the PMU algorithm is to produce robust synchrophasor and frequency measurements, regardless of the actual system frequency, harmonics, interharmonics, and unbalance. The PMU algorithm is also very computationally efficient: with analogue sampling of three-phase voltages at 10 kHz, the computation takes approximately 7 µs.

Rapid-prototyping of IEC 61850 GOOSE and Sample Value protocols for measurement, protection, automation, and control applications. Visualisation of IEC 61850-9-2 Sample Values. Real-time compression of Sample Value data. Measurement of PMU reporting latency.

Capabilities include emulation of wide-area networks (WANs) and Demand-Side Management participation.