Smart Industry Lab

Východoslovenská distribučná, a.s. has launched the Smart Industry Lab at the Department of Electrical Power Engineering at TUKE, which models a low-voltage distribution system.

TUKE has a new smart energy laboratory – the Smart Industry Lab, which models a low-voltage distribution system. It was launched by Východoslovenská distribučná (VSD) in cooperation with the Technical University of Košice. The laboratory, located at the Department of Electrical Power Engineering, builds on the existing HybridLab laboratory. It simulates conditions in a smart home and is used to test hybrid photovoltaic systems. The technological links between these laboratories enable the analysis of the impact of new household technologies on the distribution system.

Subjects and learning outcomes:

• Bachelor's degree: Subject: Measurement in Electrical Engineering (basic knowledge of measurement theory and metrology, determination of measurement uncertainties, practical skills in performing measurements in electrical engineering and processing measurement documentation)
• Bachelor's degree: Subject: Non-traditional energy sources (basic knowledge of the impact of photovoltaic systems on the distribution system, data processing in the SCADA environment and its evaluation)
• Master's degree: Subject Modeling in Electrical Power Engineering (basic knowledge of modeling elements of the power system)
• Bachelor's degree: Subject Faults in the Power System (basic knowledge of the operation of electrical networks, short-circuit ratio calculations and their analysis in the power system)
• Bachelor's degree: Subject: Electrical Energy Conversion (basic knowledge of the conversion of electrical energy into useful end forms (mechanical, light, chemical, and thermal))
• Master's degree: Subject: Power System Operation Management (basic knowledge of new directions in power system management in a liberalized electricity market)
• Bachelor's degree: Subject: Lighting Technology (basic knowledge for creating the right lighting environment for various work and leisure activities)
• Engineering degree: Subject: Overvoltage in Electrical Networks (basic knowledge of the occurrence of overvoltage in electrical networks for various operating conditions)
• Doctoral studies: Subject Theoretical Electrical Power Engineering: acquisition of in-depth theoretical knowledge, using the latest research findings and trends in the development of electrical power engineering. – modeling of elements in the power system. Acquisition of new methods of power system analysis. Ability to solve wave processes on lines, model and analyze electromagnetic fields, solve surface phenomena in electrical power transmission, and investigate electromagnetic transient phenomena.
• Doctoral studies: Subject Scientific activity 1-5: Ability to independently conceive, construct, implement, and modify a substantial part of research with scientific integrity and contribute to the expansion of the boundaries of scientific knowledge through the implementation of an extensive set of works, some of which are worthy of peer-reviewed publication. Achieving original scientific results that are acceptable at the international level. Based on the implementation of scientific research, the graduate is considered an expert in their field.
• Doctoral study: Subject: Analysis of the power system: Expansion of theoretical knowledge acquired in the second stage of study with the latest research results and development trends in the field of power system management and operation using elements of artificial intelligence. Ability to apply information and control systems in solving the stability of the power system and direct current transmission of electrical energy. Acquisition of advanced knowledge of degradation processes in power system equipment and the specifics of TVN in DC HVDC lines. Ability to solve technical problems in the operation of power systems within the UCTE and problems of rationalising electricity consumption. Knowledge of the principles and ability to work in a liberalized electricity market.
• Doctoral studies: Subject Dissertation project: Acquiring scientific working methods. Deepening knowledge in the field of the dissertation topic. Achieving original scientific results acceptable at the international level through intensive research. The doctoral student is able to demonstrate the ability to work creatively, both independently and in a team, in solving scientific research tasks or projects by presenting the results in the form of scientific publications, in journals and at conferences, by participating in research teams working on grant projects, etc. They are able to formulate the objectives of their dissertation and the methods that will lead to the fulfillment of its objectives. They are able to design and apply scientific solution procedures. They are able to present the procedures and results of their scientific work.

What is the purpose of the laboratory?

The Smart Industry Lab serves educational, experimental, and research purposes and meets the needs of VSD. The laboratory models a low-voltage system to which the largest number of VSD customers are connected. It is used to test the reverse effects of devices connected to the distribution system either by the operator itself or by its customers, i.e., consumers and producers, or a combination of both, with the Smart Industry Lab allowing their impact on the system to be examined and, at the same time, enabling various meters and analyzers to be used for this purpose.

Laboratory capabilities

The laboratory primarily allows for the modeling of low-voltage power lines of various lengths, from 60 meters to 3,500 meters. Various devices can then be connected to these lines at predetermined points. These devices can have either a positive or negative impact on the simulated line, i.e., the distribution system model. Such devices include various types of power generation sources, appliances, and electricity storage devices, control electronics, and others. According to him, the laboratory has a high level of automation – it is equipped with a control system that allows, for example, changing the input values of voltage, frequency, parameters of the modeled distribution system, parameters of sources, electrical energy appliances, and also the place of their connection to the system.

The laboratory is equipped with special software that can be used to specify the impact of customers on the distribution system. For example, to what extent these appliances affect the quality of electricity. The Smart Industry Lab also includes a real electric car charger located in the KEE outdoor parking lot, for familiarization with the topic of e-mobility.

Two in one

Another option is to interconnect the Smart Industry Lab and the HybridLab, as both laboratories are operated on the premises of the Technical University of Košice. By connecting the laboratories, we can obtain a more accurate simulation of the actual situation in the system. Seemingly identical customers may have different impacts on the distribution system, depending on where they are connected to it. The synergy between the laboratories expands the possibilities for testing sources.

Measuring the impact of electromobility

Since the launch of the Smart Industry Lab, VSD has carried out several measurements at the electric vehicle charging station, which is an integral part of the laboratory. After analyzing the measurement results, it is clear that charging electric vehicles, especially those in the lower-middle class, places a significantly asymmetrical load on the distribution system. In some parts of the distribution system, this may lead to the permitted values for the quality of electricity supplied to customers being exceeded in the future. The negative impact of an asymmetrical load on the distribution system is much more intense than that of a symmetrical load. Simply put, if the charging of electric cars were exclusively symmetrical, it would be possible to connect five times more charging stations of the same power to the system.