University of Central Florida Microgrid Control Lab Shapes Tomorrow’s Energy Professionals Customer Story Bar Share People + TechnologyPowered by the brightest students, FPL equipment & GE Vernova ADMS software Hands-OnFacility simulates a modern grid control room Critical IssuesFocuses on grid stability and reliability Load More Customer Information Introduction Company Florida Power & Light and University of Central Florida Industry Electric Utilities Products Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), GridOS Orchestration Software The energy landscape will transform more in the next 10 years than it has in the last 100. To be ready for tomorrow, investments in hands-on STEM education must be made today. Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and GE Vernova have joined forces to power a new state-of-the-art research lab at the University of Central Florida (UCF).The microgrid lab will serve as a research facility and control room for engineering faculty and students. It features control center equipment donated by FPL and GE Vernova’s Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) software that students will use to simulate and test real-life grid control operations, including finding ways to optimize and secure the grid of the future. The UCF Microgrid Control Lab simulates the control center of a microgrid, a type of self-sufficient energy system that incorporates renewable energy sources and battery storage to power a small-scale area. Image courtesy of FPL. “This new facility is exactly the kind of strategic partnership that makes UCF a premiere choice for students with future-focused career goals. GE [Vernova] and FPL have been both philanthropic investors and design collaborators in this lab, ensuring our students in this field will be industry-ready on day one of their careers,” UCF President Alexander Cartwright said. It’s a win-win. Our students get a leading education in a lab environment, and both companies open up a pipeline of incredible talent for their workforce.Alexander Cartwright - President, University of Central Florida UCF’s College of Engineering and Computer Science offers undergraduate and graduate programs in renewable, sustainable, and resilient energy systems. UCF researchers across multiple disciplines are working to develop sustainable and resilient energy systems and storage. UCF students will get hands-on experience with control room technology, including GE Vernova’s ADMS software. These future grid engineers will enter the energy workforce ready to help tackle the challenges of the energy transition. Image courtesy of FPL. Real-world Opportunities Advancing the Next Generation Energy WorkforceThe microgrid lab focuses on safe, reliable, efficient, and secure operation of large-scale distribution networks with extremely high penetration of renewables, a growing area in the energy industry. Collaborating with industry and utility partners, UCF offers students real-world opportunities as they prepare to go into careers that are shaping the future. University of Central Florida and leadership and representatives from Florida Power & Light and GE Vernova “plugged in” the Microgrid Control Lab on Nov. 9, 2021. Image courtesy of FPL. “We are excited to bring this innovative research space to UCF engineering students,” said Ed DeVarona, FPL’s then-Vice President of Transmission & Substation. The lab is a terrific training ground for rising engineers to work directly with the latest technologies and help refine and innovate the way energy is transmitted and distributed across the grid now and in the future.Ed DeVarona – former Vice President of Transmission & Substation, Florida Power & Light Every day, management of the grid becomes more challenging and complex. The distribution network is becoming progressively dynamic, and the volume of data that utilities need to understand and integrate continues to grow. Outage response is also critical to energy consumers, and as part of the lab experience, students will be able to simulate faults and storms and go through the process of locating problems and restoring power.GE Vernova has also launched a new internship program that will offer UCF students an intensive experience in the utilities and power sectors. Students will develop analytical and software development skills using emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning.