The first Laboratory for Modeling the Operating Regimes of the Power System was inaugurated at the Faculty of Energetics and Electrical Engineering (FEIE) of the Technical University of Moldova. USAID Laboratory for Power System Modeling is an initiative that encourages the synchronization of the Republic of Moldova with the European electric grid, carried out with the support of the United States Energy Association (USEA), in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The new laboratory is a project directed towards the development of green energy. It is equipped with 12 high-performance computers that include an innovative software for digital simulation of electrical networks – DIgSILENT PowerFactory – a state-of-the-art computer program used on a global scale for the computation and modeling of power systems. With the help of this software, FEIE-UTM students will have the opportunity to monitor the entire process of power generation, transmission and distribution in the network – viewing voltage at each node of the electrical network, power flow, circulation of active and reactive power, or setting protection systems for electrical stations. This program covers an entire range of functionalities, from standard features to very sophisticated and advanced applications.
Previously, the international specialists from DMCC Engineering organized training modules for teachers and students as a means to contribute to the development of skills in the use of the DlgSILENT PowerFactory software and ensure the international certification of the participants.
“USAID provided us with training sessions for the studying of this high performance software, so that our colleagues could then introduce it into the course content for Bachelor and Master’s students. Together with those from MOLDELECTRICA, we will also organize training sessions for external staff”, declared the rector of UTM, Univ. Prof., Dr. Viorel BOSTAN, present at the inauguration ceremony of the new laboratory.
The initiative was also supported by the State Secretary in the field of Energy at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Constantin BOROSAN, who emphasized that overcoming the energy crisis also requires increasing the workforce capacity in the Energy field. “In the coming years, the demand for engineers trained for integration into the National Energy System will increase significantly. We need specialists who can provide solutions for the energy crisis we are in, who can strengthen the energy infrastructure, ensure the energy transition and contribute to the increase of the renewable energy production capacity”. Mr. Borosan is also a UTM graduate, Doctoral student, and representative of the teaching staff of the UTM Faculty of Energetics and Electrical Engineering.
Among the young people who are following in his footsteps is FEIE-UTM graduate Valentina PÎSLARU: “The fact that I had the opportunity to study this innovative program helped me to get a job as an engineer at one of the most prestigious companies in the field in the country – the state enterprise MOLDELECTRICA”.
His Excellency, Kent Doyle LOGSDON, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Moldova, underlined that “this laboratory is an important step for the Republic of Moldova, for a better future for the energy field, for the country’s transition to non-polluting energy sources, to decarbonization”.
The launch was also attended by the Director of the Mission of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Moldova, Scott HOCKLANDER; the Senior Director of the United States Energy Association (USEA), Will POLEN; the dean of the UTM Faculty of Energetics and Electrical Engineering, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Victor GROPA, several Bachelor, Master and Doctoral students, as well as teaching staff from FEIE-UTM.
The laboratory was created within the Energy Technology and Governance Program, which supports the synchronization of the Republic of Moldova with the European electric grid. An amount of 500 thousand lei was invested in this initiative, with the help of the United States Energy Association and the US Agency for International Development.
