Distribution Network & Protection Laboratory

This £1M experimental facility comprises a 100 kVA microgrid set with digital partial discharge (PD) detection equipment.  It offers hardware-in-the-loop capability, and incorporates induction machines, programmable load banks and various 1/3 phase inverters.

The facility supports a range of international academic and industrial programmes and has been expanded to incorporate a communications system simulator for testing of smart grid technologies. It supports basic research, Rolls-Royce UTC activities, and engagement with European research organisations via the EU Distributed Energy Research Infrastructure (DERri) and Distributed Energy Resources Laboratories (DERLab) programmes.