Efacec Automation in the scope of its activity in research and development area, participated in a project of electric mobility, promoted by Portuguese university INESC Porto.

The aim of this project, known as REIVE from the Portuguese acronym for smart electric networks with electric vehicles, was to create a laboratory of micro network and electric vehicles (EV) that permitted to carry out tests with physical devices, software modules, micro-generation equipment and EV, in accordance with smart electric networks paradigms. Efacec Automation role was to supply the electric infrastructure and supervision and control system that enables INESC with distribution network testing capability under normal or emergency condition, and consequently with study and management of EV batteries charging process. This method makes possible to transform the distribution network from passive into active, with possibility the network to adapt to particular requirements.

For the electric infrastructure Efacec input was the electrical board being the connecting point between the simulated network and control centre. Several power generators were connected to this boar likewise. Additionally system based on CLP 500 platform was installed, in order to supervise and control of the referred infrastructure. With smart controllers G Smart, bay control units BCU 500, station servers UC 500 and user interface based on web technology it’s possible to analyse behaviour of the network, supervise and control it in diverse situations.

Efacec Automation is proud to be a part of this special project that created a unique infrastructure in Portugal and placed the Portuguese industry in the forefront of smart networks technology.