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Hardware Design and Layout of a Reconfigurable Power Distribution Automation and Control Laboratory (RDAC)

Karen Miu, Chika Nwankpa, Xiaoguang Yang and Anthony Madonna

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Abstract: This paper will present the hardware design and detailed physical layout of a scaled power distribution system laboratory under construction at Drexel University. Engineers with formal knowledge about power distribution systems are needed to design, upgrade and operate large-scale distribution power systems and their automation and control techniques. In response, at Drexel, we are developing a power distribution systems curriculum centered around a reconfigurable distribution automation and control laboratory, RDAC. This paper focuses on the physical layout and presentation of large-scale distribution power systems.

I. INTRODUCTION

A renewed focus on maintaining and improving reliability and power quality has highlighted the need for increased monitoring and control of power distribution systems both in the utility and within industrial plants and buildings. Brought on by utility restructuring efforts and the continued thrust towards deployment and use of automated devices, industries, such as power distribution companies, automotive companies, architectural engineering firms, ship builders, pharmaceuticals, etc., are increasingly concerned with their energy systems and hire engineers for the planning and operation of lower power, lower voltage (<115kV) distribution systems.

As such, the topic of power distribution systems has been addressed at several universities in terms of classes and software laboratories, with a smaller number of universities addressing hardware laboratories. Some existing laboratories are now discussed. Software laboratories explicitly for distribution system planning can be found in [1]. At the University of Florida, a hardware laboratory was established for power quality and energy studies [2]. In Taiwan, a distribution automation laboratory was created for wider types of studies [3]. More recently, at Milwaukee School of Engineering, [4] documents the development of a building electrical power systems design specialty where a link between architectural engineering and industrial plant management is created with power distribution system studies.

At Drexel, an interconnected power system laboratory (IPSL), focusing on generation and transmission studies, has been incorporated into the existing ECE curriculum [5][6] and disseminated and reproduced at the University of Hong Kong. IPSL has successfully combined four existing generation and transmission system laboratories into an interconnected three-bus power system with real-time data acquisition. It is envisioned that the power distribution system focus of RDAC will complement the generation and transmission oriented laboratories already

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Yang, X., & Nwankpa, C., & Madonna, A., & Miu, K. (2002, June), Hardware Design And Layout Of A Reconfigurable Power Distribution Automation And Control Laboratory (Rdac) Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10597