At the heart of enhanced reliability, self-healing grids, improved power quality, and improved system protection is the utility relay device. Located often at substations, and connected to the electric grid by current transformers and power transformers, utility relay devices provide a substantial amount of intelligence behind the smart grid. These electronic devices take measurements and make decisions, or send the information to a utility’s systems control room through remote terminal units (RTU’s). They can operate automatically or by command.
NWTC’s Mobile Smart Grid Training Lab contains a utility relay training device with six workstations. The integrated system will provide an environment for learners to understand the components used to develop a smart grid. The relay trainer is designed around the concept of distribution automation. The system will utilize smart metering, protection systems, fault locating algorithms, testing equipment, communication systems and supervisory control (SCADA) to provide the learners with a complete understanding of typical utility systems.
Each workstation has a relay panel (relays, smart meters and communication processors) that provides learners with typical utility equipment that they can configure, test and analyze, enforcing concepts presented to them in utility technical classes. Existing readily available equipment (intelligent electrical devices, IEDs) will be utilized. The relay panels will be connected to a distribution system condition simulator that will be used to simulate distribution system conditions including voltages, currents and switching devices (switches, reclosers and breakers).
The focus of the relay training is to provide an environment to develop and prove the concept of automated isolation and restoration of a distribution system after experiencing a simulated real world fault. The distribution simulator can also be used to simulate voltage control devices such as capacitor banks or voltage regulators.
The device is targeted at training existing utility transmission and distribution employees, utility contractors, students, and others as needed. The specific components will provide the learners with the skills necessary to succeed in the utility industry. Integration of these systems will help learners improve their technical skills, interpersonal communication skills, troubleshooting skills and understanding overall utility systems.
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