Everybody needs electrical energy, it has become a basic need. While the electricity grid that transports and distributes electricity is very important, it is abstract and therefore difficult to understand it’s exact operation. To make it easier for non-engineers, students and people who did not study electrical engineering, a smart grid table was made.

This table visualizes the electricity grid using different scenarios. This way, the complex and abstract electricity grid can be explained easily. Also, challenges because of the rise of renewable energy sources and power demand can be explained easier this way. Users of the table can change the position of the 3d printed objects (such as households, apartments and generators). The simulation program of the table then calculates the new power flow and this will be visualized on the table.

Multiple versions of the smart grid table were made. In every new version, the program is enhanced as well as the lay-out of the table. The newest version of the table, which we are working on, is made by the company Qconcepts. Our project group consist of 5 Electrical and Electronic Engineering and 2 ESE (Embedded System Engineering) students.

Electrical and Electronic worked on the simulations and the task of ESE was to improve the communication program. For example, this table is more interactive than the previous version, which means the table reacts faster on changes in the grid. This is made possible by implementing changes in the communication program.

Currently, the students are in the final (testing) phase of the project. Objects in 3D which can be placed on the table are added in the completely new program and we are checking if the table responds fast and correctly. We are also checking the simulation scenarios.

The end goal of the project is to (as students) learn as much as possible about challenges regarding sustainability and consequences with regard to energy use and to have a functioning smart grid table. This means the table has to successfully translate what is standing on the table into an electrical network and simulate/solve it when users place items on the table. Also, it is important to visualize when a fault situation is happening (for example when a HV object is placed on a MV section). For both of the goals it is important the table is fast and efficient (to be interactive).

When this project is finished, documentation will be sent to the Senior Engineer. New project groups that will work on the project can continue enhancing the table and implementing more simulation scenarios.

• Learn more via this poster presentation (pdf)

Students involved

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Jop Merz
Thijs van Elsacker

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

Daan Hendriksen
Dimas Lenting
Filmon Teklemariam Beyn
Jurre Schreven
Yaser Mobder

Source: HAN