Teaching & research facilities · UR-CST
ACE-ESD’s High E-Tech Smart Grid laboratory delivers hands-on training in renewables, power systems, storage, and SCADA—accessible via Labsoft at UR-CST.
Facilities
The High E-Tech Smart Grid laboratory at ACE-ESD supports postgraduate teaching and research in power systems, renewables, and energy management. Modules are organised as structured courses with chapters and experiments, delivered on computer workstations and accessible through Labsoft.
The centre also provides software for modelling, control, automation, and supervisory data acquisition—including SCADA Viewer and SCADA Designer—so learners can connect, monitor, and manage distributed energy resources remotely.
Platforms
Training modules
Each module below combines theory with laboratory exercises on ACE-ESD training equipment at the University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology.
Small wind turbines of up to about 5 kW support decentralized supply—for example mobile relay stations or remote sites. Systems generate DC power, with charge regulators and inverters for AC loads.
Grid-coupled photovoltaic training with realistic sun-path simulation, so experiments can run in the laboratory without outdoor sunlight. Covers design of grid-connected PV systems.
Electrochemical storage paired with PV or other generation (e.g. combined heat and power) to shift energy between generation and consumption peaks. Can operate with a PV system or on the utility grid.
Single-phase PV experiments including series, parallel, and mixed connections, with analysis of shading effects. Includes planning a stand-alone PV system for a holiday home, including load assessment and site factors.
Training on modern wind-generation technology and grid integration, aligned with growing global deployment of wind power in emerging and industrialized markets.
HVDC links with converter stations, DC transmission, and inverter stations at each end—including voltage regulation and practical training on HVDC operation.
Power systems with sources, loads, and storage that operate in island mode, in parallel with the main grid, or switch between modes with minimal interruption.
Pumped-storage and conventional hydropower in the context of high renewable penetration—absorbing surplus generation and returning capacity when the grid needs it.
Frequency converters that turn standard three-phase motors into variable-speed drives—widely used in industry, packaging, lifting equipment, and process applications.
Practical smart-grid concepts: flexible network management, integration of distributed renewables (PV, hydro, wind with DFIG, battery storage), and remote monitoring and control via SCADA Viewer.