PNDC
DER-IC Scotland’s new equipment, housed at PNDC, is a testament to the collective commitment to advancing net zero testing and validation. Established in 2013 as one of the University of Strathclyde’s industry-facing innovation centres, PNDC leads the acceleration of power networks, heat and transport systems. It does so with world-class innovation and facilities, specialising in de-risking and accelerating the commercialisation of innovative MW-scale technologies and architectures.
PNDC’s distinct testing and validation environment, using real-world hardware and simulation capabilities, is at the forefront of research and development in accelerating novel energy technologies through design, manufacture and verification at system, sub-system and component levels. The Centre’s broad range of stakeholders, which includes industry, academia and government, underscores its commitment to collaboration and the ability to work across different sectors.
PNDC’s facility upgrades and equipment investments continue to evolve in support of its innovation activities and include:
- Cyber security scenarios, grid vulnerability analysis, operational resilience, and incident response
- Advanced private 4G and 5G networks
- Teleprotection over Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technologies and microwave packet radio
- Global satellite machine-to-machine (M2M) communications
- Virtualisation and containerisation of the smart grid
- OPAL-RT simulation equipment
- 600kVA controllable power supply
- 11kV configurable overhead distribution network
- 10 x 11kV/400V secondary substations
- Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) capable of modelling national and facility scale energy networks with energy resource device models
- 540kVA bi-directional power converter capable of high-fidelity emulation of AC and DC voltage and current supplies – compatible with RTDS for power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) applications
- Energy storage and energy conversion systems emulation, e.g. grid-scale and distributed li-ion, fuel cells, flow-batteries
- Multiple low-power dynamic electric vehicle (EV) load emulators for testing AC charge points and smart charging
- Indoor vehicle bay (for passenger and light-duty vehicles)
- EV Charge Point Management System (CPMS)
- 24m3 environmental chamber
High-Power Propulsion and Powertrain Systems Validation Capability
MW-scale innovation and testing capability, comprising:
- DER-IC funded 1MW dynamometers – 2 units of 1 MW power rating each, switchable torque/speed ranges, comprehensive data acquisition capability to enable testing of powertrains for Aviation, Maritime, Rail and HGV applications
- DER-IC funded MW-scale AC & DC power supplies – 1 MVA 4-quadrant power supply capable of operating in AC and DC modes; 3-phase and single-phase AC power supply capability; up to 3kV DC capability
- MW-scale test bed for machines and drives
- Complemented by partner capabilities at the University of St Andrews (hydrogen platforms), University of Edinburgh (semiconductor device and converter capability), University of Glasgow (semiconductor R&D), NMIS (design & manufacturing) and Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP)