The project consists of a real-time simulator distributed in 4 different geographical locations, which will be coordinated through the internet. The reason for considering distant geographic locations is to model the remote communication of distant elements through conventional communication channels. This interaction seeks to test the feasibility that the distribution infrastructure can respond to control commands given from the electrical system operator for various purposes. These purposes include the use of distributed demand response systems, the use of electric vehicle storage, coordination towards solid-state transformers, and the response of residential thermal systems, among others. Given the distributed nature and the large number of very low power elements, the only economically feasible alternative is the use of the internet and 5G networks.

Another aspect to analyze is the interaction between power electronics and the stability of electrical systems, an issue for which detailed software (DigSilent) tends to be limited. In this case, the laboratory will make it possible to simulate detailed equivalents of the electrical system in real time operating with real power electronics hardware to verify the different advantages and limitations that the use of power electronics entails in electrical systems. This seeks to analyze infrastructure such as solar and wind plants, HVDC, BESS, FACTS, etc. The tests carried out in this way will be able to reliably show in power electronics instance, at scale, but with real components, the real impacts of these on the electrical network, which in this case is simulated with a bidirectional programmable source connected to a real time simulator.

Likewise, it seeks to be able to implement data analytics associated with situational awareness of the operation in real time. The team will simulate a SCADA and a PMU system to observe the performance of various situational awareness techniques and how a dispatcher could see its operability increased with various techniques, which, with the help of the team, could be simulated in real time. This would also be very useful to show students what a dispatcher does and expose them to simulated operational situations in real time.

Institutions:
USACH: Main Beneficiary
UACh: Associate
UCh: Associate
UAI: Associate