Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

*Electrical energy systems are evolving with rapidly increasing complexity, wider acceptance of power-electronics-based technologies, and integration with communication systems and sensors. Sophisticated computer models are essential for the planning and operation of electric power grids, as well as the design and integration of future renewable energy sources. Thousands of engineers in control centers and research facilities around the world are working full-time developing models and conducting studies. Canada has been a leader in developing state-of-the-art solutions and computerized tools that enable the design and operation of electric power systems of various scales. The industry-grade simulators - the electromagnetic transient programs (EMTP) e.g., ATP, Microtran, EMTP-RV, PSCAD, RTDS, Opal-RT's RT-LAB, Matlab/Simulink's SimscapeElectrical, and Powertech Labs transient stability tools DSATools, etc., all have originated from and/or developed by Canadian researchers and are now overwhelmingly used throughout the world as industry-standard tools.*The requested equipment will support the UBC's long-time tradition in developing computationally efficient models of power systems components and simulation techniques, and it will be used to build the real-time hardware-in-the-loop (RT-HIL) simulator for studies and optimization of the integrated AC-DC Energy Storage System and distribution system on the UBC campus. The proposed RT-HIL simulator platform will extend the research capability for connecting the real-time simulations and control algorithms with the existing and future power equipment, conducting detailed studies first at a building level and then on a campus-wide system, as well as for emulating additional converters/energy sources/loads/storage and other pieces of distribution system for larger scale studies. *The RT-HIL simulator will stimulate and support new initiatives and ideas, and will provide the experimental facility for several existing and future Strategic Partnership Grants/Projects, Collaborative Research and Development programs, and Discovery Grants that are undertaken and planned by members of the UBC's Electric Power and Energy System group (comprises Drs. J. Jatskevich, J. Marti, C. Chen, H. Dommel, W. Dunford, and M. Ordonez). The new/advanced models of power components will be verified and tested in real-time with experimental hardware. The results of this research will boost the modeling capabilities and future simulation tools, which is a niche expertise and business for many Canadian companies. It will also enable Canada to lead the new paradigms of integrating alternative energy sources and storage, and define the evolving future smart energy systems. The RT-HIL simulator will provide a concurrent opportunity for up to 40 students to receive training, build up skills, and acquire unique expertise. There are many companies across Canada that are now desperately looking to hire with expertise in this domain.