JoMassJosephson voltage and current sources for direct realition of Mass and related quantities - Josephson voltage and current sources for direct realisation of Mass and related quantities

• Forschungsstelle: METAS
• Projektnummer: F-5212.30153

Schlüsselwörter (Englisch)

centralized grid systems, Smart Grid Systems, phasor measurement units (PMUs), metrology of smart grids,

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

Conventional centralized grids can be thought of as passive one-way bulk energy systems whereas the Smart Grid systems are active systems consisting of multiple bi-directional energy clients. These distributed systems are highly complex, difficult to optimize and vulnerable to instability. This leads to a paradigm shift in the instrumentation and control requirements for Smart Grids, such that stable high quality electricity supply can be assured. 

Successful implementation of a Smart Electrical Grid requires the development of a metrological measurement infrastructure. This project will address some of the issues: modeling grid stability, phasor measurement units (PMU), on site power quality and energy measurement. METAS will be involved with PMUs as well as with field testing.

This project is a JRP (Joint Research Project) within the EMRP (European Metrology Research Program) framework. This project is divided into 6 Work Packages encompassing various metrological aspects of smart grids. METAS will be active in WP1 and WP4 which focus on PMU (Phasor Measurement Units) as well as field trial in a low voltage.  

Projektziele (Englisch)

The present state-of-the-art is that early experiences with PMUs as well as laboratory tests have identified that PMUs from different manufacturers exhibit discrepancies in performance and accuracy. These differences have been attributed to shortcomings in standards as well as design issues. In addition the presence of various power quality disturbances will have an impact on PMUs performances, which so far are unknown since at present there is no metrological infrastructure in Europe for making traceable and reliable measurements on these devices. In order to improve the present unsatisfactory state-of-the-art, the aim of the work package 1 is to create a metrological infrastructure capable to characterize, evaluate and calibrate PMUs.

Another issue with smart grids is that limited knowledge is available both in understanding the grid state of low and medium voltage smart grids, as well as on actual stability of such grids. This lack of knowledge and information is severe, since the complex interactions between intermittent sources and sinks of power with multiple distribution links make Smart Grids vulnerable to instability and failure. Work package 4 aims to identify a metrological strategy for the observability and controllability of smart grids so as to improve their reliability. In Smart Grids, the energy flow and system state can be monitored over time using a network of distributed sensors and state prediction models.

Umsetzung und Anwendungen (Englisch)

As smart grids are now fast becoming reality, it is of prime importance that a national laboratory such as METAS gains the metrological expertise associated with these new power grids. This expertise will also directly benefit the economy through calibration services and consulting.

The current source developed by Supracon has not reached the level of specification of the source developed by METAS during the Kibble balance project. If Supracon succeeds in improving performance, this source could provide an interesting alternative to the METAS source, since it offers greater flexibility and more extensive remote control capability than the METAS source.

Publikationen / Ergebnisse (Englisch)

Specifications were drawn up for the definition and design of the electronic systems. At the same time, the Supracon Josephson array-based quantum voltmeter and its integration into the experiment were the subject of technical exchanges between the participants. Despite difficulties in sourcing several electronic components, Supracon was finally able to develop the systems. An initial commissioning of Supracon's Josephson array was successfully completed with conclusive tests. The DC metrological current source was tested on the METAS Kibble balance and compared with the source developed by METAS. The current source developed as part of the project was characterized and ideas for improvements, mainly in terms of noise level, were shared with the project participants.