A Test Bed to Monitor Smart Grid Power Quality

Electric vehicles and renewable energy sources typically generate distorted current waveforms (harmonics). As consumer adoption of these technologies increases, it is expected that harmonics will accumulate resulting in poor power quality and degradation of smart grid performance. Such impacts would affect many sectors including utilities, auto manufacturers, and renewable energy producers. For research, training and teaching purposes, Mohawk College and McMaster University have collaborated to produce a comprehensive mobile test bed to study harmonics generated within a smart grid. The fully automated system includes multiple transformers, electric vehicle chargers, a grid tied inverter and data acquisition systems, which allow the user to monitor harmonic content and control power flow within the test bed.