About Us

What Does Our Project Entail?

This project consists of an interactive touch table where users can learn about the power grid by interacting with a solar panel and with a real-time simulated distribution system. Solar panels are very popular types of renewable energy sources and including one in this project assists in promoting interest in power systems. The users will be able to see how the angle change of a solar panel affects its power output and understand that such variability can lead to disturbances in the power system. This project is funded by FPL.

Goals and Objectives

The project has two main objectives. First, to promote interest in power systems related engineering education. Second, to emphasize the importance of increasing situational awareness in the distribution grid. The following goals were set to meet the objectives:

Basic Goal

Interactive touch table that allows users to change the angle of the solar panel and see how that affects its power output. The table will also display educational material about power systems.

Advanced Goal

Interactive touch table displays a simulation of a real-time distribution system with the use of OPAL-RT.

Stretch Goal

User initiates a disturbance in the simulated distribution system and WAMS (Wide Area Management System) algorithm analyzes the data and determines the type of disturbance and its location.