Gridlab Protection Platform

Authors: Yaser Raeisi
Last update: 01 February 2025

The power systems protection platform is a state-of-the-art facility for education and research in the field of power systems protections. The lab is equipped with advanced protection systems and testing tools, including:

Protection relays for:

• Transmission transformer protection (RET670)
• Generator protection (REG670)
• Line distance protection (REL650)
• Line differential protection and control (RED615)
• Feeder protection and control (REF615)
• Power distribution and generation (REX640)

Centralized protection implementation with merging unit SSC600 and SMU615 based on the IEC 61850 standard.

Relay Testing Equipment:

• OMICRON CMC 356
• Megger

Measuring Panel with integrated current transformers (CTs) and potential transformers (PTs) for accurate measurements.

Research and teaching

The lab is a hub for cutting-edge research in power system protection. Key areas of focus include:

• Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing: relays are integrated with the Opal-RT real-time simulator to evaluate and develop advanced protection strategies.
• Future concepts: research is conducted on emerging control and protection solutions tailored to modern and future power system challenges.

The lab bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Students can:

• Design relay parameters: using advanced power system software (NEPLAN, DigSilent), students learn how to calculate and optimize relay settings for various protection schemes.
• Program and test relays: practical training is provided on programming relays and validating their performance using relay testing equipment.
• Relay coordination: Students gain hands-on experience by testing coordination between relays in real-world scenarios using the 400 V test grid in our GridLab.

For more information

• Prof. Davide Pavanello
• Dr. Yaser Raeisi