Development of a monitoring and control platform for a mini power grid

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a platform that monitors and controls mini grids. The current platforms and mechanisms that are being used to monitor and control mini grids were analyzed such as mini-SCADA systems which are costly hence justifying the necessity to develop a platform to monitor and control a mini grid that is less costly. A case study of Kisiizi mini grid was selected which has two hydro set power generators and one diesel generator and step-up transformers, the loads on the grid include Kisiizi hospital, households and commercial buildings, the electricians carry out the control and monitoring of the mini grid. The developed monitoring and control mechanism in the study was implemented on a mini grid network simulated in MATLAB Simulink. Monitoring the grid involved the use of multimeter and a data display design to know the current consumed by the loads. Monitoring the grid involved the use of an over current relay design that outputs a signal to the auto reclosure which enables or disables the circuit breaker thereby controlling the electricity supplied by the grid. Cost comparisons were carried out for the monitoring and control mechanism of the case study, with the developed mechanism. And also cost comparison of the components of monitoring and control of the developed platform with components of the SCADA system was evaluated.