VIRTUAL LAB FOR POWER SYSTEM STUDIES

Abstract

Virtual labs are more and more used and realistic. An effective virtual lab was set up for both on-campus and distance learning teaching. Practice showed that virtual labs have several advantages as reducing the time taken to complete the physical labs, it could be performed during the student's own time but it requires assistance with physical lab equipment. Electric power system automation can be a difficult and expensive subject to study. Malfunction and incorrect functioning of the power systems can be the cause of major power failures in the national power grid, therefore it is important that students are exposed to realistic equipment and situations. The paper is concluded with an example of virtual labs experiment for power system automation. The Automatic Transfer System (ATS) is an essential function in a power network for assuring reliable backup power. The laboratory equipment considers a subsystem with 2 bus bars connected through a tie switch with 2 loads and a backup generator. The ATS cabinet includes 4 circuit breakers of 6kA that can be operated in manual or automatic mode. Several scenarios can be tested on the automatic transfer system, locally or remote through an Ethernet connection. The application incorporates a PC-based simulator for experiments. The virtual lab was created using OPC server which could interface the MATLAB and Simulink with stand alone applications. The advantage of the proposed structure is that in using the simulation software the distance learning teaching could incorporate the same new technology laboratory experience as teaching on-campus.