Enhancing power and energy systems concepts with laboratory experience

A new interactive power engineering education laboratory has been recently constructed in the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) at UNC-Charlotte for providing a unique hands-on experience to power students. This facility, named as the AREVA Power Systems Teaching Lab, will be used as an integrated laboratory component for a number of undergraduate power courses in the department. The laboratory equipment can be configured to create exercises which reinforce basic concepts in electric machines and drives, power electronics, protection and power systems. The equipment may be interconnected to form full power system models and microgrids. Contemporary topics, such as smart grid concepts, microgrid management, distributed generation, renewable energy integration, energy storage, etc. form the major emphasis of the lab. New innovative interactive curricula that include class demonstrations and lab experiments are currently being developed for the undergraduate power and energy concentration within the department.