CalTestBed

Overview

CE-CERT is a proud member of the CalTestBed Program, testing a variety of new energy technologies such as Electric, Connected and Automated Vehicle testing, Sustainable Integrated Grid Initiative, Vehicle to Grid testing, and more. This membership provides access to diverse California communities and partnerships within the California Energy Commission's Innovative Ecosystem. CalTestbed offers a wide collection of assets, facilities, infrastructure, and resources on a global scale to clean energy entrepreneurs. CalTestBed's initiative will provide $8.8 million in testing vouchers to clean energy innovators to use at one of nearly 30 testing facilities through California. You can find a description of each of CE-CERT's CalTestBed facilities below.

If you are interested in learning more about CE-CERT's facilities to test or validate your clean energy device, please contact us: certinfo@cert.ucr.edu

More Information

For more information on the CalTestBed program and to apply, please visit: CalTestBed Website

Facilities Directory

Services Available

Electric Drive Vehicle Testing Laboratories

Technology Type	Testing Capabilites
Heavy Duty Dynomometer	We perform testing on any electric truck in a wide range of configurations.
Light Duty Chassis Dynamometer	We perform testing on any light-duty electric vehicle in a wide range of configurations.
EV Data Acquisition System: Real-Time Monitoring System Software and Sensors	We perform measuring dynamometer physical loads, battery SOC, vehicle voltage, current, and energy efficiency services.

Point of contact: Kent Johnson, kjohnson@cert.ucr.edu

Vehicle Testing Laboratories Web Page

SIGI: Sustainable Integrated Grid Initiative Testbed

Technology Type	Testing Capabilities
Solar Panels	We perform extensive solar testing including soiling, efficiency, curtailment, performance, microgrid integration, and islanding.
Inverters	We perform efficiency testing (5kW to MW+), curtailment, islanding, voltage support, reactive power control, and grid ancillary services.
Battery Energy Storage	We perform microgrid integration, control optimization, Battery Management System (BMS), performance, and islanding services.
Microgrid Control and Integration	We perform system architecture, net zero configuration, distributed generation, controls, and load management services.
Load Management	We perform SCADA, islanding, microgrid integration, control optimization, and energy profiling services.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)	We perform system optimization, system configuration, energy measurement, and load management performance monitoring services.
Vehicle to Grid	As of 2019, SIGI now offers testing of vehicle-to-grid algorithms using the latest V2G inverter systems.

Point of contact: Sadrul Ula, Sadrul.Ula@ucr.edu

SIGI Web Page

Shared, Electric, Connected, Automated Vehicle Testing

Technology Type	Testing Capabilities
Shared Mobility Evaluation	Using LBNL's BEAM model, travel demand activity can be evaluated for a number of shared mobility scenarios, measuring a variety of performance metrics.
Evaluating Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVS) in Simulation	We offer a range of simulation tools (e.g. VISSIM, PARAMICS, SUMO) and specific APIs, a wide range of CAV scenarios can be tested.
Evaluating CAVs using Hardware in the Loop Testing	We offer unique hardware-in-the-loop testing system for CAVs has been developed, combining traffic simulation and a real-world vehicle on a dynamometer.
Evaluating CAVs on the road	We offer several CAV testbed sites in Riverside and Carson, California, installing communication infrastructure on the road.

Point of Contact: Matthew Barth, matthew.barth@ucr.edu

SECA Web Page

Electric Motor System Testing Laboratories

Technology Type	Testing Capabilities
Industrial Electric Motors	We perform zero rated torque, efficiency at various loading condition, quantification of voltage and current harmonics, range 0-100hp testing.
Variable Frequency Drives	We perform efficiency at various loading condition, quantification of voltage and current harmonics, range 0-100hp testing.
Wind Generators	We perform zero rated torque, efficiency at various loading condition, quantification of voltage and current harmonics, range 0-100hp testing.
Custom Designed Special Purpose Electric Motors	We perform zero rated torque, efficiency at various loading condition, quantification of voltage and current harmonics, range 0-100hp testing.

Point of contact: Sadrul Ula, sadrul.ula@ucr.edu

Electric Motor System Web Page

V2G: Vehicle to Grid

Technology Type	Testing Capabilities
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)	We perform V2G capability, performance, measurement, access control, billing, and communication services.
V2G Capabilities	We provide energy measurements, capacity, vehicle connectivity, and protocol services.
Microgrid Control Integration	We provide system architecture, net zero configurations, controls, and load management services.
Load Management	We perform SCADA, islanding, microgrid integration, control optimization and energy profiling services.
Vehicle Activity	We provide energy profiles, trip activity, charging activity, GIS based analysis, and vehicle energy monitory services.

Point of Contact: Mike Todd, mike@cert.ucr.edu

V2G Web Page

Water Energy Nexus

Technology Type	Testing Capabilities
Energy Management Systems (EMS)	We perform customized development and validation services.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)	We perform customized development and validation services.
Real-Time Monitoring System Software and Sensors	We perform development, testing, and validation services.

Point of Contact: Sadrul Ula, sadrul.ula@ucr.edu

Water Energy Nexus Web Page

Field Testing and HIL Testing of Smart Grid Monitoring and Control

Technology Type	Testing Capabilities
Smart Grid Sensor Testing	We perform testing on synchrophasors, sysnchowaveforms, grid asset sensors, line sensors, substaintion SCADA systems, behind the meter sensors, building sensors, fault locations, isolations, and service restoration (FLISR), etc.)
Smart Grid Control Testing	We perform testing on Volt-VAR control and Volt-watt control based inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs), voltage and frequency ride-through control, DERMS, advanced distribution management, frequency regulation, demand response, etc.
Field Test Capability	The available field test capability is at medium voltage and low voltage three-phase systems; including a collection of multiple 12 kV power distribution feeders; with various types of loads and DERs.
Lab-scale (pre-field) Assessment of Smart Grid Monitoring & Control Technologies	We preform testing by using its state-of-the-art hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) testing facility; including both performance and cyber-security assessment.

Point of Contact: Hamed Mohsenian-Rad, Hamed@ece.ucr.edu

Battery and Solar Energy Materials and Devices

Technology Type	Testing Capabilities
Renewable Generation	Solar Cells - Efficiency, stability, testing under artificial environment, and testing of next-generation solar cells.
Energy Storage	Batteries - Charging/discharging, cyclic performance, long-term stability, and rate performance.
Material-Based	Electrochemical Cells - Cyclic/linear/chrono voltammetry, coulometry and potentiometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Material-Based	Materials Characterization - Electron microscopy, optical spectroscopy, crystallographic analysis, elemental analysis, and surface topography.
Material-Based	Materials Synthesis - Chemical vapor deposition (CVD), hydrothermal and solvothermal synthesis, and electrodeposition.
Material-Based	Device Fabrication - Thin-film devices, solar cells, photoelectrochemical cells, electrochemical cells, and coin-cell batteries.

Point of Contact: Alfredo Martinez-Morales, alfmart@ece.ucr.edu

Electric Drive Vehicle Testing Laboratories

CE-CERT has unique capabilities to test a variety of electric drive vehicles, including pure battery electric, fuel-cell, hybrid electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. With two state-of-the art chassis dynamometers, both light-duty and heavy-duty EVs can be tested. CE-CERT has developed a wide range of electric drive testing protocols, providing research results to industry, government agencies, and academia. Point of Contact: Kent Johnson, kjohnson@cert.ucr.edu

SIGI: Sustainable Integrated Grid Initiative

CE-CERT has well established microgrid testbeds and laboratories for pre-commercial testing of new technologies in a "living-lab" environment. Over the last six years, UCR researchers have designed and implemented numerous microgrid systems including 2.2 MWh of battery energy storage, over 11 MW solar PV, 8 MW of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) for chiller operations, and multiple electric vehicle chargers including supervisory control and data acquisition systems. These unique microgrid and smartgrid testbeds with plug and play capabilities possess the ability to validate carious Hardware in Loop (HiL) scenarios. in addition to energy system modeling in Loop (Hil) scenarios. In addition to energy system modeling, UCR can utilize its microgrid testbed for evaluating specific microgrid designs that will be placed elsewhere. Point of contact: Sadrul Ula, sadrul.ula@ucr.edu

Shared, Electric, Connected and Automated Vehicle Testing

When considering how to get to zero-carbon mobility, there are generally four strategies to consider: 1) build more efficient vehicles that emit less carbon (e.g. HEVs, BEVs, and fuel-cell EVs); 2) utilize low- or zero- carbon fuel such as electricity or hydrogen; 3) implement programs that reduce overall VMT; and 4) employ ITS and automation technology to improve transportation system efficiency. UC Riverside has set up testbeds to evaluate Shared Mobility (addressing strategy 3), Transportation Electrification (addressing strategies 1 & 2), and Connected and Automated Vehicles (addressing strategy 4).

A key vehicle testbed, the Innovation Corridor, located in Riverside, CA. consists of a six-mile section between the main UCR campus and downtown Riverside. This arterial corridor has been outfitted with traffic signal controllers that broadcast signal phase and timing, employ video analytics, and is used for experimentation with shared, electric, connected and automated vehicle (e.g., cars, buses, and trucks). Point of contact: Matthew Barth, matthew.barth@ucr.edu

Electrical Motor Systems Testing Laboratory

This testing facility, developed with California Energy Commission (CEC) funding, is capable of efficiency and load testing of electric motors and Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD) up to 100hp. The facility can also measure electric system harmonics. This is the first independent electric motor testing center in the state of California capable of providing unbiased evaluation of motor efficiency at various operating conditions. This facility is available for use by the industry professionals, academics, and other stake holders. Point of contact: Sadrul Ula, sadrul.ula@ucr.edu

V2G: Vehicle to Grid

Vehicle to Grid (V2G) architectures allow grid connected vehicles to transfer power from the vehicle back to the electric supply infrastructure. The optimization of V2G requires properly configured vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). UC Riverside has created a microgrid testbed with integrated V2G capabilities. The system utilizes both light duty passenger EVs and larger transit vehicles. Research is focused on system architectures, controls, optimization, energy management, and communications. Point of contact: Mike Todd, mike@cert.ucr.edu

Water Energy Nexus

About 20% of electricity use in California is treating, pumping, and distribution of water. With funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC), CE-CERT has demonstrated and deployed an energy management and data acquisition and supervisory control strategies that reduce peak loads and electricity costs in the delivery and treatment of water at each of the three water district locations. The three deployments utilize existing on-site SCADA architectures and implement the Energy Management System (EMS) within the existing architecture. This demonstration project highlights a pathway for water agencies in California to reduce their peak energy consumption sustainability with no decrement in service or reliability. The project also identifies "real world" implementation issues that have not emerged in previous proof-of-concept research. Point of contact: Sadrul Ula, sadrul.ula@ucr.edu

Field Testing & HiL Testing of Smart Grid Monitoring & Control Technologies

UC Riverside’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, in collaboration with Winston Chung Global Energy Center (WCGEC) and the Bourns College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) has the unique capabilities to test various smart grid sensor technologies (e.g., synchrophasors, synchowaveforms, grid asset sensors, line sensors, substation SCADA systems, behind-the-meter sensors, building sensors, fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR), etc.); as well as various smart grid control technologies (e.g., Volt-VAR control and Volt-Watt control based on inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs), voltage and frequency ride-through control, DERMS, Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS), distribution-level Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System (FACTS), building energy management, frequency regulation, demand response, etc.). The available field test capability is at medium voltage and low voltage three-phase systems; including a collection of multiple 12 kV power distribution feeders; with various types of loads and DERs.
In addition to true-scale field testing capabilities, UC Riverside also has the capabilities to conduct lab-scale (i.e., pre-field-test) assessment of smart grid monitoring and control technologies by using its state-of-the-art hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing facility; including both performance and cyber-security assessment. Point of contact: Hamed Mohsenian-Rad hamed@ece.ucr.edu

Materials Synthesis, Device Fabrication & Testing

The Advanced Materials and Energy Devices Laboratory (AMEDL) specializes in renewable energy generation and energy storage. The AMEDL group has expertise in the extensive testing of materials and devices for photovoltaic, photoelectrochemical, piezoelectric, delivery platforms, and battery applications. AMEDL’s research is focused on experimental work including high quality synthesis of materials, characterization, device fabrication, measurement and testing. Testing includes electrochemical measurements photoresponsive measurement under diverse light sources including a solar simulator and UV lamps. Point of contact: Alfredo Martinez-Morales alfmart@ece.ucr.edu

CalTestBed Contributing Partners

Future Motors LLC

CalTestBed

Overview

More Information

Services Available

Technology Type

Testing Capabilites

Point of contact: Kent Johnson, kjohnson@cert.ucr.edu

Vehicle Testing Laboratories Web Page

Technology Type

Testing Capabilities

Point of contact: Sadrul Ula, Sadrul.Ula@ucr.edu

SIGI Web Page

Technology Type

Testing Capabilities

Point of Contact: Matthew Barth, matthew.barth@ucr.edu

SECA Web Page

Technology Type

Testing Capabilities

Point of contact: Sadrul Ula, sadrul.ula@ucr.edu

Electric Motor System Web Page

Technology Type

Testing Capabilities

Point of Contact: Mike Todd, mike@cert.ucr.edu

V2G Web Page

Technology Type

Testing Capabilities

Point of Contact: Sadrul Ula, sadrul.ula@ucr.edu

Water Energy Nexus Web Page

Technology Type

Testing Capabilities

Point of Contact: Hamed Mohsenian-Rad, Hamed@ece.ucr.edu

Technology Type

Testing Capabilities

Point of Contact: Alfredo Martinez-Morales, alfmart@ece.ucr.edu

Electric Drive Vehicle Testing Laboratories

SIGI: Sustainable Integrated Grid Initiative

Shared, Electric, Connected and Automated Vehicle Testing

Electrical Motor Systems Testing Laboratory

V2G: Vehicle to Grid

Water Energy Nexus

Field Testing & HiL Testing of Smart Grid Monitoring & Control Technologies

Materials Synthesis, Device Fabrication & Testing

CalTestBed Contributing Partners

Future Motors LLC