Implementation of an educational real-time platform for relaying automation on smart grids

The increasing research work on power networks has produced important challenges on distribution systems. These multiple advances bring an inevitable need to reshape and modernize teaching methodologies in order to understand the different issues of the smart grid complexity. This paper presents the design and implementation of an interactive platform to assess Advanced Distribution Automation (ADA) with applications and solutions focused on relaying solutions for educational purposes on smart grid. The proposed architecture integrates hardware/software tools to emulate the distribution system's behavior and recreate selected signals. Different features are presented and validated from a basic case study, where the students are able to comprehend the main concepts of relaying devices. The operational functionality of the platform offers the required flexibility to link theory with practice, which is suitable to enhance the learning process and encourage the class innovation. The user can incorporate protective algorithms and automation solutions under a real-time environment with hardware-in-the-loop techniques, such as adaptive protections and reconfiguration methods to optimize the grid. The impact of this platform in educational courses and the development of undergraduate thesis is assessed over the last 5 years in the faculty, and ABET guidelines are included in the evaluation of five Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) to measure the influence on students. Further potential applications are also discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.