Integrating A Power Systems Laboratory Into A Client/Server Based Computing Environment

The primary goal of the project is to develop a set of experiments which will allow students to examine power systems in a realistic manner. Drexel University’s Interconnected Power Systems L.uboratory (ZPSL) provides an interchangeable real-life power system network and a computer interface to the system in order to provide control and data capturing. The computer interface utilizes clientherver and industry standard networking technology to help students visualize power system phenomena as seen by the system operator via an Energy Management System (EMS). This new laboratory will become an important piece of the new Drexel University curriculum, which emphasizes computer-aided design and hands-on laboratory experience coupled with longitudinal courses. A fault analysis experiment has already been designed on the IPSL and will be discussed as an example.