Grant: Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges Grants

The proposed Chair's research will focus on two major areas: power system protection/control and power quality. For protection and control, current technologies consist mainly of electromechanical devices (relays), with no networking, computer intelligence, or data reporting features. The modern generation of relays, Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), can provide all the missing features expected within a microgrid, or Advanced Distribution System (ADS). However, thorough investigation and testing is required to ensure that IEDs can be integrated effectively and reliably into future power systems. For power quality, there is broad acceptance that modern technologies and energy sources pose many challenges to power systems. The Chair will investigate the impact of harmonics on power grids, provide recommendations, and propose solutions to improve grid performance. In addition to assisting utilities in optimizing their asset management strategies, the research will support power equipment manufacturers in improving their products to meet utilities' and customers' expectations. Such benefits can also be extended to the auto and appliance sectors. The research approach and methodology undertaken by the Chair will be to: identify problems, acquire real-world data, develop prototypes, and implement solutions within a live power grid. Specifically, the Chair will create a database that includes measurements collected from various points within the power grid. The database information will be used to create mathematical models and system prototypes for various microgrid components. To validate the proposed solutions, prototypes will be constructed and tested within a fully controlled lab environment. The final research outcomes are proven designs that can be scaled and mapped into an existing power system.