Laboratory of Renewable Energy Sources and Smart Grids

Microgrid No. 1 (library building):

• Autonomous inverter (SMA Sunny Island 3324)
• 2 (Two) PV inverters (SMA SB1100)
• 12 PV panels of nominal power of 2 kWp
• 1 (One) horizontal axis wind turbine 1 kW
• 24 FLA batteries,
• Various loads, NI:DAQ 6008 data acquisition cards, Metering devices,

Microgrid No. 2 (library building):

• 2 (Two) hydrogen fuel cells 1.2 kW nominal power with corresponding inverters
• 2 (Two) electrolysis units and two hydrogen storage canisters,
• 1 stand-alone inverter (SMA Sunny Island 5048)
• 1 1,5 kW vertical axis wind turbine
• 10 thin-film PV panels of 1 kW nominal power with PV-inverter (SB1100)
• 24 FLA batteries of 323 Ah capacity each
• 1 Tazarri electric car
• 1 electric scooter
• 1 electric bicycle
• 2 charging stations (level 1 and level 2) built at the University of Western Macedonia

Microgrid No 3 – charging station for electric cars from RES:

• 3 e-Golf electric cars
• 3 floor chargers built at the University of Western Macedonia
• 1 wall-mounted fast charger
• 48 FLA batteries for autonomous systems
• 2 autonomous inverters (island inverter)
• 36 PV panels on the roof
• 2 PV inverters

Building energy inspection equipment:

• 1 ISO9869 Hukseflux TRSys 01 thermo meter
• 2 infrared (IR) cameras
• 1 Laser mini thermometer
• 1 infrared infrared thermometer
• 1 Fluke energy analyser
• 1 photometer
• 1 digital exhaust gas analyser

Electrical Installations Laboratory

• 8 benches – Indoor electrical simulation devices
• Electrical panels
• Complete earthing simulation set-up
• 4 workstations / KNX system devices (International Building Automation Standard)
• 4 portable KNX system training devices

Electric Machines Laboratory

• 12 workbenches for DC and AC electrical machines (motors and generators) and transformers
• 3 direct current machines of composite excitation
• 2 DC series excitation machines
• 3 parallel excitation DC motors
• 5 three-phase alternating current synchronous generators
• 12 three-phase asynchronous induction motors
• 2 single-phase asynchronous induction motors
• 5 three-phase power supplies with adjustable voltage and dc voltage supply.
• 3 three-phase transformers
• 4 single-phase transformers
• Demonstration system for paralleling three-phase synchronous generators
• 2 modern systems for measuring torque, speed and mechanical power of motors
• 2 soft starters for asynchronous motors
• 4 new workstations with measuring instruments (current, voltage, speed, etc.)

Electrical Circuits

Electric Power Systems Laboratory

• Many different conductors for simulating transmission lines
• Transformers for varying their output voltage magnitude and angle
• Oscilloscopes
• Modern motor for operation as a rotating capacitor
• Distribution M/S
• Oil quality control instrument for distribution M/S distribution
• Number of relays (relays)
• The Power and Energy Laboratory of the MPE has developed a small-scale superconducting coil system (SMES) for laboratory use, which is used for power experiments with the “power-hardware-in-the-loop” technique. The existing equipment for the HIL interface was recently acquired (October 2022) and consists of: 1) OPAL-RT 4512 real-time digital simulator, 2) Chroma 61830 30 kVA regenerative grid simulator (in AC interface), 3) Chroma 62100H-600S 10kW photovoltaic (PV) simulator, 4) Chroma 62015B-15-90 540 A DC power supply and 5) DC load. The OPAL-RT 4512 simulator is used to implement advanced real-time simulations that model both the steady-state and dynamic behavior of power systems and devices. It features high-performance analog and digital channels that allow users to perform different types of experiments in which power hardware, such as the SMES system or control algorithms, can be tested in real-time in the laboratory. The existing SMES is constructed using an uninsulated coil of high temperature superconducting tape (HTS), which was manufactured using 100 meters of 12 mm wide tape from superpower. Cooling is achieved using a Cryodyne 350 CP two-stage low-temperature cryohead from CTI cryogenics, which is bolted to the bottom of a vacuum chamber that serves as a cryostat. The SMES has been tested experimentally using a DC load and has been designed and tested thermally and electromagnetically .

Power Electronics Laboratory

• Numerous devices with diodes, thyristors and transistors in bridge devices
• PWM modulator
• DC motors
• PI and PID controllers

Industrial Electrical Installations Laboratory

Automatic Control Systems Laboratory

2 computer laboratories

Living Lab

The Living Lab “SMART LL” of the Department of EEMM of the MSF is a Living Lab (LL) designed to operate as a user-centered open innovation ecosystem, adapted to the value potential of new markets. The facilities of Western University and more specifically the student dormitories in Koila are the actual testing environment. The aim of SMART LL is to re-balance public action in a logic of considering the generality of citizens’ interest through the active participation of users. The specific climatic conditions (e.g. high altitude) and geographical specificities (lignite plants, high penetration of RES) allow for a wide range of real tests, including small companies with low financial weight.

The members of SMART LL are Professors, postdoctoral researchers, PhD candidates and engineers, who continuously strive to create strong links between academia and the local commercial and industrial environment with a special focus on SMEs. SMART LL is based on the pillars of research, education and industrial testing. Through the educational dimension, trainees can access real user data. The research interests of SMART LL include smart grids, the development of ancillary services in the grid, demand management techniques, the penetration of photovoltaic systems and electricity storage systems in the grid and the development of techniques to optimise the operation of grids.