Development of a Recommended Voltage Estimation and Control Methodology for Educational Building Power Systems: Integration of Factorial Experimental Design with PLC-Based Real-Time SCADA

The increasing electricity demand of educational buildings requires the development of intelligent approaches to power supply management that improve energy efficiency and ensure the reliable operation of electrical networks. This study aims to develop a mathematical model for determining the recommended voltage level in the power supply system of an educational building and implement it in a PLC-based SCADA control system. A second-order central composite design was applied to investigate the influence of three factors, including total electrical load, building wiring length, and external supply line length, on the recommended voltage level. The regression model was statistically validated using Cochran’s, Student’s, and Fisher’s criteria. The obtained model demonstrated high adequacy for the experimental data (R2 = 0.9934, adjusted R2ad = 0.9884, RMSE = 0.447 kV, and F = 0.175 < Fcr = 2.30). The developed algorithm was implemented in the OWEN PLC300 controller using the EnLogic programming environment and integrated with the ENTEK SCADA system for automated voltage calculation and load management according to consumer priority. The proposed methodology can be applied in the design and modernisation of automated power supply systems for educational buildings and provides a practical approach to improving the efficiency of electrical energy distribution.