The National Science Foundation (NSF), under its Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) initiative, recently granted $99,985.00 to The College of New Jersey for acquisition of advanced power engineering and renewable energy laboratory hardware. These funds are under the direction of principal investigator Dr. Anthony Deese – an Assistant Professor within the Department of Electrical and Computer (ECE) Engineering.
The laboratory hardware – composed of “scaled” three-phase AC power supplies, transformers, transmission lines, and synchronous as well as induction machines – will physically emulate the structure and behavior of an electric power system, like that operated by PSEG and PECO. It will allow TCNJ students and researchers the unique ability to manipulate the parameters and topology of a physical power system as well as observe the effect of their actions. For example, one may remove a large generator or transmission line from the emulated grid and watch a “blackout” occur.
This hardware, in addition to components associated with a “traditional” power system, will provide TCNJ students and researchers with access to emerging “smart grid” technologies – including photovoltaic cells, wind turbines, Ni-MH battery storage, solid-state power electronic converters, and embedded data acquisition / actuation capability.
Over the next year, engineering faculty and staff will use this funding to develop the tentatively-named Smart Electric Power System (SEPS) Laboratory. This facility, to be located in Armstrong Hall, will enhance both educational and research aspects of a growing power engineering program at The College of New Jersey which features courses on power system analysis and power electronics as well as supports multiple senior projects. One example is the solar-powered and fully-electric Electrathon Challenge Vehicle.
Dr. Anthony Deese, an active member of the electrical engineering research community, will serve as laboratory director. One of his primary objectives is increasing the role of physical experimentation and testing in his work on smart grid technology, measurement-based load modeling, analog computation for power system operation, and artificial neural networks. The laboratory will have a significant and positive impact on his research.
This funding represents continued commitment from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support undergraduate as well as public institutions like The College of New Jersey. It was acquired with great support from Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Chair Dr. Orlando Hernandez and School of Engineering Dean Dr. Steven Schreiner.