Country: Spain

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Description: TECNALIA Research & Innovation is the first private Research, Development and Innovation (R&D&I) organization in Spain and one of the leading ones in Europe, with a staff of 1500 experts (including 192 Doctors), 22 headquarters and a turnover of 120 million Euro.

The mission of TECNALIA is to transform knowledge into GDP, improving people’s quality of life by generating business opportunities for companies. To accomplish this, TECNALIA is organised in 7 interconnected sectorial Divisions: Energy and Environment Division, Sustainable Construction Division, Industry and Transport Division, ICT – European Software Institute Division, Innovation Strategies Division, Health Division, and Technological Services Division.

TECNALIA’s offer includes different activities: technological services, testing and certification, R&D&I projects, transfer of industrial property, business promotion, business diversification, innovation management and foreign support.

The Smart Grids Area, included in the Energy and Environment Division, is focused on:

  • Advanced power system architectures: microgrids for buildings and districts
  • Demand side management and demand response
  • Energy management and optimization in buildings
  • Integration of Distributed Energy Resources in the network
  • New power converters for grid connection
  • Communication for Smart Grids and smart metering applications
  • Electric mobility: infrastructure, grid integration and V2G applications
  • Business models analysis and development
Facilities

THOR Laboratory
Description: The core of THOR Laboratory is a 4-quadrant fully programmable voltage source in the power and voltage ranges of up to 1.25 MW and 3300 V respectively. Frequency variations of the output voltage from 0 to 75 Hz as well as generation of programmable sets of voltage harmonic components up to the 10th harmonic are possible. The flexible grid can be used as a grid emulator to test power converters. Possible equipment for tests are: Wind converters, energy storage converters, traction converters and grid power quality devices like STATCOMS, FACTS or active filters. A SCADA system controls the labs' parameters.
The following cases can be investigated at THOR Laboratory:

  • Voltage and frequency variations
  • Reactive power control behaviour
  • Active power control behaviour
  • Faults
  • Harmonics
  • Flicker

Furthermore, a new walk-in high-low temperature test chamber is included:

  • Test space dimensions (WxHxD): 2640 x 2400 x 4160 mm
  • Temperature range: -45ۃ to 85ۃ
  • Humidity range: 10% to 95% RH

Centre for Development and Demonstration of DER Technologies (Microgrid)
Description: Coupled to the 30 kV radial network, the microgrid formed by different generation, storage devices, loads, with a manageable power of 200 kVA. The facility deals with the connection, integration and validation of technologies related to DER including EV, as well as with the operation and control strategies of the entire microgrid.
Technical specifications (PDF)

Static Equipment
Battery banks

Description: 1120 Ah battery bank (24 V DC): single-phase coupling using one Xantrex SW 3024 inverter. – 1925 Ah battery bank (48 V DC): three-phase coupling using three Xantrex SW 3048 inverters.

Converters

Description: Different rectifier-based DC sources, AC/AC converters, power electronic devices for network quality improvement (DGFACTS), 4Q full converters, etc.

Diesel generator

Description: The diesel generator units consists of a diesel motor (John Deere ֠55 kW) and a three phase synchronous generator (400V, 50 Hz, 63 kVA). The controllable rectifier accepts a 380 Vac 3-phase voltage and provides a external-controllable (4-20 mA) output from 540 Vcc to 780 Vcc 100 A maximum.

Flywheel UPS Caterpillar Flywheel UPS

Description: Uninterruptible power supply system based on flywheel energy (instead of batteries). It reaches full charge at 7.700 rpm (less than 150 seconds recharge). From 4.000 rpm the UPS is in normal operation regulating output voltage and supplying reactive and harmonic currents required by the load. It also provides constant power protection against surges, sags and power interruptions during 15 seconds at full capacity (250 kVA)

Fuel cell

Description: PEM-type Ballard Fuel Cell, Nexa model, with 1.2 kW nominal power. As the FC supplies an unregulated voltage output, it comes together with a DC/DC converter and it does include algorithms for battery charge control. This device is normally used connected to the 1.5 kW DC load.

Microgrid switching and connection system

Description: ՠ3 three-phase buses with neutral (to accommodate single-phase devices). The buses can be connected between them ՠAny of the generation, storage or load systems can be connected to any of the buses (3×20 matrix of 4-poles contactors) ՠInterconnection to the distribution network ՠThe controller provides a local HMI (touch screen) and an OPC server as the interface to a remote SCADA (via Ethernet) ՠInterbus-S system control system ՠSecurity strategies have been implemented (exclusion,ũ

MAGNETEK EG-50 Microturbine

Description: The EG system is made up of two main parts, the turbine generator and the AC-AC converter. The turbine is supplied with liquid fuel (gas-oil) and rotates at up to 60.000 rpm. The generators output is a 380 Vac 400 Hz 3-phase voltage which represents the input of the subsequent stage of the AC-AC converter. The AC-AC converter generates a delta 480 Vac 60 Hz or star 380 Vac 50 Hz.

Pacific Power Source 3060-MS Network simulator

Description: Two parallel connected 3-phase simulators provide voltage 228/132 Vac up to 500Hz creating an AC voltage and frequency reference for testing purposes, one controllable DC voltage network generated through rectifier and inverter.

Photovoltaic installations

Description: The single-phase 0.6 kW pthotovoltaic installation is based on 13 UF42 modules (amorphous structure) and a SunnyBoy 700 Inverter. The other single-phase 1.6 kW pthotovoltaic installation is based on 16 Isofoton I-106CR modules (mono-crystalline structure) and a Xantrex SW 3024 Inverter. The three-phase 3.6 kW photovoltaic installation is based on 24 BP SX 150 S modules (multi-crystalline structure) and three SunnyBoy 1100 Inverters.

AVTRON K596 Reactive load bank

Description: 2 x 36 kVA

AVTRON K595 Resistive load bank

Description: 33.75 kW

AVTRON Millenium 150 Resistive load bank

Description: 150 kW

Transmission line simulator

Description: One configurable line simulator being possible to adjust the magnitude and angle of the circuit that is supposed to be connecting the generation and the consumption. The simulator has capability of different impedances selection.

Ultracapacitor bank

Description: 5 kW ultracapacitor-based UPS designed by EPRI PEAC Corporation. The 48V DC link of the UPS is connected to a bank of eight ultracapacitor modules. Each module is rated at 4500 F and is able to store 360 kJ of energy. This system is able to support the full load for about 6,5 minutes.

INCLIN NEO 6000 Wind turbine

Description: Wind turbine with a nominal power of 6 kW equipped with a three blades rotor (4 m), automatic brake system by tilt up and neodymium magnet alternator.

Mobile Equipment

Description: 3 three-phase buses

Bonneville Power Administration + User contributio ATP-EMTP

Description: Power system analysis software (electromagnetic transients)

Dranetz-BMI Signature System (Infonod

Description: Power quality analyser. Integrated, web-based platform that allows users to remotelyءnd in real timeحonitor their power systems. A Signature System incorporates multiple measuring and monitoring units

Dranetz-BMI PX5

Description: Power quality analyser

LEM TOPAS 1000

Description: Power quality analyser

PSERC MATPOWER

Description: Power system analysis software (load flow and optimal power flow)

Siemens SINCAL

Description: Power system analysis software

Siemens PTI PSS/E

Description: Power system analysis software

The MathWorks MATLAB (PSB) – Simulink

Description: Power system analysis software

Characterization and accelerated test lab
Description: The lab includes techniques for : Substrate, cell and encapsulant chemical composition, microstructural morphology and optical properties characterisation. The instrumentation comprises SEM-EDS, AFM, XPS, FTIR, Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy; Equipments for adhesion, hardness and scratch resistance of the encapsulation system; Equipments for gloss and colour change measurements of the modules; An equipment and test procedure specifically developed for wind particle abrasion testing. Equipments for accelerated lab tests include chambers for UV aging chamber, temperature and humidity cycling, and salt spray.
Technical specifications (PDF)
Electrical Equipment Laboratory
Description: Conformity Assessment and Certification Services of Electrical Equipment for T&D networks and industrial applications, to certify compliance with national and international standards, regulations and technical specifications from utilities and manufacturers. The 5000mҠarea lab is in operation since 1991 and covers a range of 300 MVA. It is run by 39 employees.
Technical specifications (PDF)

Static Equipment

Power Laboratory
Description: Power Laboratory (shortcircuit, making and breaking, etc) 150 kA at LV (under 1000 V); 300 MVA at MV (up to 36 kV)

HV Laboratory
Description: HV Laboratory (dielectric, PD, Tan Delta, etc) 550 kV at power frequency 1.800 kV at lightning impulse

LV Laboratory
Description: LV Laboratory (PI, temperature-rise, climatics, etc)

Environmental Tests Laboratory
Description: Large climatic chamber 5,5x4x4 m

Power Electronics Laboratory

Mobile Equipment

Frequency Resonant Unit
Description: Variable Frequency Resonant Unit: 260 kV, 80 A, 20-300 Hz

EMC Semianechoic Chamber
Description: The semi-anechoic chamber is the main facility for EMC tests in TECNALIA. It has the following inner dimensions: 8.4 x 4.9 x 5.4 m (height). Walls and ceiling are covered by a double absorbing system: ferrite tiles and polyurethane foam absorbers. The chamber is used for radiated emission measurements from 10 kHz to 12 GHz and for radiated immunity tests in the range of 80-3000 MHz. Equipments to be tested are placed in a 2m diameter rotatory platform, which is designed for supporting more than 500 kg. Usual distance between equipment under test and antenna is 3 m. TECNALIA is accredited by ENAC (the Spanish member of EA, ILAC and IAF) for the most employed European EMC standards and it is a Notified Body under the 2004/108/CE Directive (European EMC Directive).
Technical specifications (PDF)

Mobile Equipment
Amplifier Research FP 4000

Description: Electric field probe

Amplifier Research 500A100

Description: RF amplifier

Amplifier Research 100W1000M1

Description: RF amplifier

CHASE CBL 6111

Description: Bilog antenna (30-1000 MHz)

CHASE DIA1512

Description: Clicks analyser

EMC PARTNER MIGOS-OS1

Description: Damped oscillatory wave generator

EMCO 3104C

Description: Biconical antenna (20-200 MHz)

EMCO 3146

Description: Log-periodic antenna (100-1100 MHz)

EMCO 3142B

Description: Bilog antenna

EMCO 3115

Description: Horn antenna (1-18 GHz)

EMTEST ESD30+P18

Description: ESD generator

EMTEST EFT 503

Description: EFT generator

FCC F-61

Description: Current probe (1-1000 MHz)

FCC F-120-9

Description: Current probe (10 kHz-200 MHz)

Hewlett-Packard 11940A-11941A

Description: Magnetic near field probes (9 kHz-1 GHz)

Hewlett-Packard 8566B

Description: Spectrum analyser (100 Hz-22 GHz)

Hewlett-Packard 8591A

Description: Spectrum analyser (9 kHz-1,8 GHz)

Hewlett-Packard 54522A

Description: Digital Oscilloscope

Hewlett-Packard Infinium

Description: Digital Oscilloscope

LANGER RF1,2,3

Description: Magnetic near field probes (30 MHz-1 GHz)

MILMEGA AS0104

Description: RF amplifier

PMM EHP-50A, EP-330, EP-33M,

Description: Electric and magnetic field probes

PMM 1000

Description: Harmonic and flicker analyser

PMM L2-16

Description: Artificial mains network

PRODYN AD-20

Description: Electric near field probe (200 kHz-3 GHz)

Rohde & Schwarz HUF-Z2

Description: Biconical antenna (20-200 MHz)

Rohde & Schwarz HUF-Z3

Description: Log-periodic antenna (200-1000 MHz)

Rohde & Schwarz HFH2-Z2

Description: Loop antenna

Rohde & Schwarz HZ-14

Description: Electric and magnetic near field probes (9 kHz-1 GHz)

Rohde & Schwarz ESH3

Description: EMI receiver (9 kHz-30 MHz)

Rohde & Schwarz ESPV

Description: EMI receiver (20 MHz-1300 MHz)

Rohde & Schwarz ESCS30

Description: EMI receiver (9 kHz-2750 MHz)

Rohde & Schwarz ESH2-Z5

Description: Artificial mains network

Rohde & Schwarz ESH3-Z5

Description: Artificial mains network

Rohde & Schwarz SMHU

Description: RF signal generator

SCHAFFNER NSG-433

Description: ESD generator

SCHAFFNER NSG-1025

Description: EFT generator

SCHAFFNER NSG 651

Description: Surges generator

WALKER SCIENTIFIC ELF-50D

Description: Gaussimeter

INGRID - Smart Grids Testing and Research Infrastructure
Description: The key research and testing activities of this laboratory are: advanced power system architectures, microgrids for buildings and districts, new power converters for grid connection, smart metering and grid automation, electric mobility (infrastructure, V2G), demand side management and demand response. The Laboratory consists basically on a set of interconnected testing and research platforms, most of them already in operation: - Electrical equipment testing platform (includes high power lab and MV&LV lab) - Microgrid and Distributed Energy Resources (DER) testing platform - Energy storage platform - Smart grids communication platform - Renewable energy testing platform - Electric Vehicle testing platform - Power electronics and energy conversion platform INGRID ֠TECNALIA Smart Grids Lab, is an accredited laboratory according to EN ISO/IEC 17025 and a member among others of IEC/TC57 (Ԑower systems management and associated information exchangeԩ, CENELEC/TC210 (ԅMCԩ, Group of Notified Bodies under the EMC Directive (ECANB), and many Technical Committees of AENOR (Spanish Association for Standardization and Certification).
Interoperability Centre for Electric Vehicles
Description: TECNALIA has an advanced platform for characterising, developing and validating mechanical and electrical components which can be combined with high performance electric vehicles. TECNALIA especially focuses on EV integration within the smartgrid, BMS development, test benches, business models analysis, fast charge and other advanced powerelectronics based systems. Further fields of research include tele-management as well as data collection systems (EVSE, EVSP, DSO). For wireless charging TECNALIA has developed a system based on are sonant magnetic coupling, able to charge an EVat 3.3 kW with a performance above 93%.TECNALIA complements the research with accredited testing capabilities to measure and assess the compliance of products with Standardsand Regulation. TECNALIA already offers services for assessing compliance for EV and their charging infrastructure: Low Voltage and EMC Directives; 61851: Charging Systems for EVs; IEC 15118: EV communication interface and EN61439-7 Low-voltage switchgear, and control gear assemblies.
Technical specifications (PDF)

Static Equipment
Electrical Vehicle platform (EV-ON)

Description: System for algorithms development and simulation of electric vehicles connected to the electricity network, based on a bi-directional 4 kW Xantrex inverter, 2.64 kWh battery storage, a grid analyzer, a power meter, and PLC/GPRS communications.

KUBIK
Description: KUBIK is an international outstanding and unique experimental facility for R&D that provides a real live test bed for building technologies, specially focused on energy uses, aiming for the development of new concepts, products and services to improve energy efficiency in buildings. The main characteristic of KUBIK is the capability to build realistic scenarios (residential, office, schools) to analyse the energy efficiency obtained from the holistic interaction of the constructive solution for the envelope, the intelligent management of the HVAC and lighting systems and the supply from renewable energy.
Technical specifications (PDF)
On-site Testing - Commissioning of HV underground and submarine cables
Description: Mobile Resonant Test System WRV 80/260 from Highvolt aimed at the commissioning tests of HV underground and submarine cables after installation. Test Frequency: 20 - 300 Hz Test Voltage: up to 260 kV Test Current: up to 80 A Cables tested: from 45 to 400 kV and up to 10-12 km long Collaboration with other labs to test longer lengths and at higher voltages, thorugh series or parallel connection of Resonant Units.
Technical specifications (PDF)

Mobile Equipment
HIGHVOLT WRV 80/260

Description: Mobile Resonant Test Systems aimed at the commissioning tests of HV underground and submarine cables. The system is installed on a trailer platform, 12 m long, 4 m high, 40 Tn, and is designed to test cables up to 400 kV and 10-12 km long. Test Frequency: 20-300 Hz Highest Voltage: 260 kV Highest Current: 80 A

On-site Testing - Diagnosis & predective maintenance

Description: On-Site test laboratory for diagnosis and predictive maintenance of large Rotating Machines at power plants (thermal, nuclear, combined cycles, hydro) and Power Transformers at substations and industrial and power plants Rotating Machines: HIPOT Tests, DC Leakage Tests, resistance of windings, PI, tan delta, PDs, EL CID, capacitance mapping Power Transformers: Tan Delta and capacitance of windings and bushing, FRA, return voltage, PI, windings resistance, magnetic core characterization, voltage ratio, short-circuit impedance.
Technical specifications (PDF)

Optical, thermal and mechanical modeling of PV and BIPV modules

Description: This infrastructure is directed to the application of available software and the development of new theoretical methods and software tools in the field of computational modeling for the optical, thermal and mechanical design of PV and BIPV modules.
Technical specifications (PDF)

Polymer solar cell processing facility (2)

Description: The infrastructure is mainly focused on hybrid cell development with ordered nanostructures by in-situ polymerisation processes and lightweight and flexible/geometry adaptable encapsulation systems.
Technical specifications (PDF)

PV inverters Laboratory

Description: Support to the International Certification of PV Inverters Up to 300 kW. CE Marking: EN 50178, EMC Germany: DIN VDE 0126-1, VDE-AR-N 4105, FGW-TG Part 3 Italy: CEI 0-21 Spain: RD 1663 Other markets: EN 50438 Other standards: IEC 62116, IEEE 1547, CSA 22.2, EN 50530, IEC 61683 Voltage Dips: RD 1565/2010 The testing facilities include: LV Microgrid powered with AC and DC buses AC power supply sources: 165 kW regulable; 450 kW fixed DC power supply sources: 150 & 300 kW regulable 3 m Climatic chamber RLC loads for Q > 2.5 for 150 kW inverters in anti-islanding tests.
Technical specifications (PDF)

Smart Metering Laboratory

Description: TECNALIA is an official laboratory to certificate the Spanish and Portuguese DLMS/COSEM profiles (“Companion Standards”), developing also the pre-certification testing tools for smart meter manufacturers. TECNALIA collaborates in the Meters & More Association, specifically to include the DLMS protocol in the Meters & More specification. TECNALIA participates in the Certification Task Force, writing different parts of the Test Book for Service Nodes (meters) and Base Nodes (data concentrators), selecting the official certification testing tools and being an accredited test laboratory for this type of equipment. Both PRIME and G3 comply with (ITU-T G.9955 and ITU-T G.9956) and use DLMS/COSEM protocol (IEC 62056) as the data model for the information transfer. Tests: - PRIME protocol certification - DLMS tests - Meter interoperability tests - Smart metering efficiency tests - CENELEC EN50065-1, EN50065-2-3, EN50065-7 and other EMC tests.
TECNALIA - Smart Grid Cybersecurity Laboratory

It provides a safe and controlled environment to simulate cyberattacks to the smart grid infrastructures. It is composed by a DSO control centre, and a primary substation.

The control centre includes an IEC-104 SCADA and a LDAP & NTP servers. The primary substation is composed by a SCU, HMI, several IEDs, redundant communications (PRP), and analogic/digital signals and sampled values generators.

The laboratory allows to generate data traffic in different industrials protocols: IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-104, DNP3, LDAP (LDAPS), NTP (NTPS), FTPS, Telnet, SSH, WS, and others.

Standards Compliance
  • ILAC ENAC 17025
  • IEC 61238-1
  • IEC 62109-1/2
  • IEC 62477-1
Quality Management
Different laboratories certified according to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 (testing activities), ISO 9001:2008 (research activities) and ISO 14001:2004 (testing and research activities).
Testing Services

In the THOR Laboratory the following services are offered:

  • Field varifications of I-V curves of photovoltaic strings and modlues
  • Equipment tests of: Wind converters, energy storage converters, traction converters and grid power quality devices like STATCOMS, FACTS or active filters.
  • High temperature conductor and accessories testing services according to IEC 61238-1
  • Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems according to IEC 62109-1/2
  • Safety requirements for power electronic converter system and equipment according to IEC 62477-1

In the Electrical Equipment Laboratory the following services are offered:

  • Testing of MV sensors
  • Testing and Certification of Smart Meters (DLMS, PRIME, Cenelec)
  • Testing of RTUs
  • Testing of communication protocols
Recent Publications
Publications related to the control of the programmable voltage source developed by TECNALIA based on multilevel topology:

last updated: 19.07.2017

TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION