Tests on Smart-Substation completed

To manage these fluctuations while maintaining power quality, reliability and security of supply, an intelligent 400 kVA, MV/LV-distribution station (intDS) has been designed by a consortium consisting of KEMA, ECN, Imtech Vonk, Eaton, Exendis, Alfen and Liander. The development of this intelligent distribution station is part of the IOP EMVT research programme supported by SenterNovem. A full-scale prototype has been assembled and was first tested at the Flex Power Grid Lab and was thereafter placed in a live test grid of Liander.

The intelligent features include:

1.        control of voltage pollution;

2.        demand response, using an agents based control system (PowerMatcher);

3.        a system for local control and remote monitoring;

4.        an energy storage system, consisting of a battery and a bi-directional inverter (ESI);

5.        stepless control of the voltage level on the LV bus bar, performed by a smart transformer (SmartTrafo);

6.        bidirectional communication between home appliances and the intDS using a home automation system (XanuraHome).

Operational tests in Flex Power Grid Lab: The operational tests were intended to verify the design of the intDS with regards to its performance under various conditions, i.e. during normal operating, overload, islanding, with adverse power quality, abnormal conditions and transient fault conditions. In short: to validate safe operation and determine its IQ when forming part of a future larger SmartGrid.

The operational tests were performed during a one year period that started in March 2009.

Field test in live grid: Upon succesful completion of the operational and safety testing the intDS was placed in the network of Liander in Apeldoorn. This particular part of the Liander network already boasts 100 μCHP systems, which increases the research value of the data acquired during the period of 1,5 years that it will be analysed and its behaviour studied. Important parameters to analyse is the capability of the substation to influence the power flows, power quality (harmonics, voltage level etc) and to get management–ready information on the status of the substation and the connected customers installations.

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