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NETWORK / 25 / NOVEMBER 2016 u The University offers a distance learning MSc in electrical power systems engineering that provides advanced training for those working in the power systems sector. Based on its long-running MSc course, this new programme supports utilities in expanding and developing their workforce. As the location of a leading set of facilities – including the largest high voltage laboratory at a UK university – and with over 50 years of research and consultancy in the field of energy networks, Manchester University is an obvious partner for distribution operators undertaking innovation projects. Research at the university spans power systems analysis, local and wide area monitoring, protection and control, smart grids and cities, energy storage, high voltage engineering and power system plant. The 30-strong academic team has brought its experience and capabilities to notable LCNF, NIA and NIC projects such as My Electric Avenue, Smart Street, C2C, Visor and Fitness. The university was academic partner for the LCNI conference, and as an extension of that role, exhibition visitors were offered the opportunity to tour the HV facility, a stone's throw from the exhibition centre. The lab is part of the National Grid Power Systems Research Centre, which was established in 2002 to strengthen the combined research abilities of both the university and National Grid. Network joined one of the tours to see the facility for itself. The HV lab, a lofty room several storeys high, houses a variety of equipment including a 2MV impulse generator, a 800kV AC cascade resonance test set, a 600kV DC test set and a 300kV AC test set. The kit is used for conventional research and short term consultancy projects. Beyond the main lab is a six-rack RTDS system that provides advanced capability for hardware in the loop simulation. A programmable AC grid-connected energy storage system (240kVA, 180kWh) connected to the campus power system allows the control of energy storage hardware to be considered. It can also simulate loads/sources on the LV network. The reconfigurable DC power networks facility (540V, 100kW) provides a platform to investigate the integration of smart grids with multiple power sources, loads and energy storage. Safely locked behind glass in the viewing gallery, visitors got a flavour of the HV lab's capabilities. The demonstration included testing an overhead line insulator with lightning impulses. With the lights switched off and the lab plunged into darkness, a flashover test of up to one million volts on the overhead line insulator produced a loud crack and a flash of light (image, left). Beyond being visually impressive, the test is regularly performed in the lab to help engineers understand the lightning performance of high voltage equipment and assets. The lightning impulse generator is the largest of its kind in any UK university. At one million volts, the impulse generator is only at half capacity. The equipment lets the University of Manchester test any high voltage asset rated up to 400kV. As well as supporting industry in its pursuit of innovation, the university is also helping address the skills shortage in the industry. Its distance learning MSc in electrical power systems engineering course provides advanced training to those working in the power systems sector, allowing utilities to expand and develop their workforces. ON SITE HV lab, MaNcHESTEr uNIVErSITy