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Medium Voltage Switchgear, Transformer and Interconnection Specification in an ECE Clinic I. Abstract

Working on real world engineering technology projects with industry is a key component of Rowan University’s engineering clinics. Our College of Engineering has Industrial affiliates who regularly act as sponsors of the ECE curriculum by bringing important and diverse real world engineering design challenges to ECE students. This paper discusses how undergraduate ECE students were called upon to first learn about the proposed renewable energy system (in this case a 3MW photovoltaic system – the largest of its kind east of Arizona in the U.S.) optimize the array field and the DC wiring, and then to assist in the development of specifications for the low voltage (480V) and the medium voltage (33 kV) switchgear, transformer and e-metering system specifications for the project. This paper provides an overview of how the engineering clinic engaged the students in applying their power system knowledge as well as the mechanism the College uses to engage industrial sponsors in the ECE curriculum. The ECE professor and his graduate student aided the student engineering clinic project team and assured that students would learn by doing on this important ‘power system of the future’ project. The students learned how theoretical work links to real applications in the case of interfacing the largest PV system ever connected to the world’s largest Regional Transmission Organization (PJM). The paper describes the approach to creating the required specifications which included the development of student understanding of the role such equipment plays in the electric power system and the importance of integrating clean energy technology into the system to reduce the climate change impacts of electricity in the U.S.

II. The Kick-Off Meeting - [Thursday 20 September 2007 – 2PM]

PECO District and interconnection engineers, customer service folks, SunTechnics solar engineers and project managers have converged on a 15-acre site in Tulleytown PA adjacent a multi-acre landfill to discuss the layout and design of the largest photovoltaic system being constructed in the United States east of Arizona. It is mid afternoon on a September weekday and six undergraduate engineers from Rowan University and their professor are there as well as the discussions of interconnection, pole locations, array filed placement and foundation types are shared among the project team. Why are the students there? They too are part of the project team to learn their assignment for designing the AC interconnection for the autumn semester in engineering clinic. This real world experience with cutting edge engineering technology projects with industry creates an excitement and sense of ownership, interdependence and responsibility for the junior and senior engineering students. Their professor has given them a chance to see how real engineering projects are designed and how communication among team players is crucial to the success of the final design. Throughout the following semester the engineering students will interact with each other, their professor and professional engineers from the utility as well as their industrial sponsor (SunTechnics) to ensure that they deliver their part of the project which includes: specifications, designs and plans for the medium voltage switchgear, 480V to 33kV transformers, 480V switchgear and cable sizing for the required project deadline. Their key resources include their engineering education, their professors, their new contacts on the utility professional team and their partners at SunTechnics. Have they done this type of work

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Jansson, P. M., & Schwabe, U., & Hak, A. (2008, June), Medium Voltage Switchgear, Transformer And Interconnection Specification In An Ece Clinic Paper presented at 2008 Annual Conference & Exposition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 10.18260/1-2--4402