A Multi-Platform Lab for Teaching and Research in Active Distribution Networks

Today's electricity paradigm requires that the notion of active distribution systems be introduced at both undergraduate and graduate curricula. This involves not only the customary theoretical foundations but also a suitable power engineering laboratory, where flexible enough and affordable resources allow students and researchers to carry out hands-on experiments reinforcing the concepts explained in the classroom. This paper describes the smart grid laboratory of the Power Engineering Group at the University of Seville, composed of a scaled-down distribution system, along with the required control and monitoring equipment, designed to help its users easily grasp the major influence that distributed generation and storage devices exert in the operation of medium-voltage distribution systems.