Research
The electric power grid is undergoing rapid modernization in terms of its operation. Communications and electronic hardware technologies are playing a major role in facilitating the realization of the modern grid. Our research program deals with protection and control of the large power systems and renewable energy systems (e.g. wind and solar power) and uses real-time measurements, electromagnetic simulations, and practical testing and verification using hardware-in-the-loop simulations.
Our research has developed new methods and prototypes for power systems protective relaying and control, such as real-time transient stability prediction/out-of-step protection using state plane analysis, high-speed digital relaying using sub-cycle algorithms, and adaptive control of power systems. We have also done a practical implementation of these developed techniques using state-of-the-art communication technologies (IEC 61850, PMU protocols) and hardware implementation using Digital Signal Processing boards and low latency electronics hardware such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and testing using hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations.