Join Us to Shape the Future of Smart Grids

Zaphiro uses different algorithms for faulted area identification and fault distance estimation based on the type of grids and types of faults. Zaphiro’s algorithms are based on power system protection principles such as differential, directional and distance relaying and they are adapted to include PMUs.

The objective of this project is to continue the migration of the tools used by our R&D team towards pandapower, an open-source tool for power system modelling, analysis and optimization. The choice of pandapower is mainly driven by its relatively large user base and the support for importing the network via CGMES files.

Zaphiro uses different algorithms for faulted area identification and fault distance estimation based on the type of grids and types of faults. Zaphiro’s algorithms are based on power system protection principles such as differential, directional and distance relaying and they are adapted to include PMUs.

The objective of the project is to generate datasets and to test the fault location approaches on several practical grids to identify gaps in the algorithms.

Zaphiro would like to explore the state of the art of fault location using point-on-wave measurements. As a pioneer in PMU technology in distribution grids, we would like to explore the application of waveform-based approaches specifically for identifying and locating faults in distribution grids.

The objective of this project is to help augment the fault location solution with point-on-wave capabilities. This is helpful to clients as it enables new use cases like incipient fault detection and improvements to the accuracy of the current fault location.

Students will conduct a literature survey, identify the requirements for waveform-based fault location, the challenges for application to distribution grids along with a comparison of all the best techniques. The most suitable techniques are expected to be tested in an offline environment against waveforms collected from field installations as well as synthetic waveforms that can be generated to simulate any scenario of particular interest.

The project structure is flexible. Its content and the expected outcomes can be tailored to the project type (Semester or MSc thesis). This project is an opportunity to learn about the state of the art in fault location with a focus on medium voltage grids. Students will improve their understanding of how distribution utilities deal with faults and how this process can be improved by deploying additional monitoring devices.

Modern electrical distribution networks increasingly require advanced monitoring to maintain high-quality power delivery. In line with this, Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) are becoming indispensable tools. However, the current generation of PMUs often focuses predominantly on fundamental frequency analysis. This project aims to extend the capabilities of PMUs by integrating harmonic analysis directly into the units in order to increase the types of electrical events that can be detected and analysed on the PMU itself.

The purpose of this internship project is to develop a COMTRADE (Common Format for Transient Data Exchange) library for disturbance recording in electrical power systems. COMTRADE is a widely adopted standard for storing and exchanging fault and disturbance data from power systems and is critical in the analysis, simulation, and troubleshooting of electrical network events.

This project aims to create or embed a versatile and robust software library that can read, write, and manipulate COMTRADE files, enabling power engineers and analysts to seamlessly work with disturbance data. The COMTRADE library shall support the latest COMTRADE formats, including ASCII and binary data storage, and provide a comprehensive API that can be easily integrated into various software applications used in the analysis of power system disturbances.

During this project the intern will gain hands-on experience in software development, data management, and power systems engineering, as well as an understanding of the importance of data standards in the energy sector.

The IEEE C37.118.2 communication protocol used in most Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) deployments nowadays does not encrypt the traffic. VPN solutions allow to add an extra layer of security by sending the traffic into a secured tunnel.

Zaphiro’s PMU is based on out-of-the-shelf components (an NI cRIO from NI, an optional router from DIGI, etc). Its modularity, for example, allows to add or remove the router according to the communication technology in place. As of today, it is possible to have VPN tunnels between the router and the destination. However, in all the cases where the communication is wired (e.g., fiber) the router is not present, and the VPN tunnel is not created.

The objective of the project is to integrate a VPN technology inside the NI cRIO device to establish a VPN tunnel also when using wired communication technology. Few VPNs technologies that can be run on cRIO have to be evaluated. The chosen technology has to be implemented and tested.