Browsing by Keyword "Microgrids"
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Item Development and Initial testing of a Virtual Laboratory for the Build-up and Testing of Microgrid Management Algorithms(2022-09) Fernández, G.; Menéndez, A.; Meneses, P.; Zubiria, A.; García, A.; Díez, F.; Jimeno, J.; Rodríguez-Seco, J.E.; Cortés, F.; POWER SYSTEMS; Tecnalia Research & InnovationIn a bid of facilitating the increasing penetration of intermittent and random renewable energies, microgrids along with their management algorithms are becoming crucial assets. To prove their effectiveness, these algorithms need to be tested in real environments and/or laboratories, which can be very difficult in many cases, especially at the initial development stages. To solve this issue, this article proposes the use of a laboratory digital twin, i.e., a virtual laboratory with a behaviour that is similar to that of real installations, aimed at facilitating the development, testing and debugging of microgrids management algorithms. The proposed solution is demonstrated to be safe and complete when it comes to test these algorithms.Item Management of microgrids in market environment(IEEE Computer Society, 2005) Hatziargyriou, N. D.; Dimeas, A.; Tsikalakis, A. G.; Pecas Lopes, J. A.; Kariniotakis, G.; Oyarzabal, J.; POWER SYSTEMSRestructuring of power markets has helped in the penetration of Distributed Generation (DG) in the electricity networks. Microgrids are Low Voltage distribution networks comprising various distributed generators (DG), storage devices and controllable loads that can operate interconnected or isolated from the main distribution grid, as a controlled entity. This paper describes the main functions of the Microgrid Central Controller required for the optimization of Microgrid operation its interconnected operation. This is achieved by maximizing its value, i.e. optimizing production of the local DGs and power exchanges with the main distribution grid.Item Microgrids - Large scale integration of microgeneration to low voltage grids(2006) Hatziargyriou, N.; Jenkins, N.; Strbac, G.; Pecas Lopes, J. A.; Ruela, J.; Engler, A.; Oyarzabal, J.; Kariniotakis, G.; Amorim, A.; POWER SYSTEMSMicrogrids comprise Low Voltage distribution systems with distributed energy sources, such as micro-turbines, fuel cells, PVs, etc., together with storage devices, i.e. flywheels, energy capacitors and batteries, and controllable loads, offering considerable control capabilities over the network operation. These systems are interconnected to the Medium Voltage Distribution network, but they can be also operated isolated from the main grid, in case of faults in the upstream network. From the customer point of view, Microgrids provide both thermal and electricity needs, and in addition enhance local reliability, reduce emissions, improve power quality by supporting voltage and reducing voltage dips, and potentially lower costs of energy supply. This paper outlines selected research findings of the EU funded MICROGRIDS project (Contract ENK-CT-2002-00610). These include: • Development and enhancement of Microsource controllers to support frequency and voltage based on droops. Application of software agents for secondary control. • Development of the Microgrid Central Controller (MGCC). Economic Scheduling functions have been developed and integrated in a software package able to simulate the capabilities of the MGCC to place bids to the market operator under various policies and to evaluate the resulting environmental benefits. • Analysis of the communication requirements of the Microgrids control architecture • Investigation of alternative market designs for trading energy and ancillary services within a Microgrid. Development of methods for the quantification of reliability and loss reduction. • Initial measurements from an actual LV installation.Item Optimal design of Microgrid’s network topology and location of the distributed renewable energy resources using the Harmony Search algorithm(2019-08-01) Camacho-Gómez, C.; Jiménez-Fernández, S.; Mallol-Poyato, R.; Del Ser, Javier; Salcedo-Sanz, S.; IAIn this paper, we tackle the joint optimization of the network topology and the optimal location of distributed renewable energy resources in a Microgrid (MG). The MG network topology optimization problem is focused on obtaining network deployments with minimal cost, whereas the location of distributed renewable generation is associated with the minimization of the electricity losses in the MG lines. In order to solve this joint optimization problem, we analyze the efficiency of the Harmony Search (HS), a novel meta-heuristic solver inspired by the music improvisation procedure observed in jazz bands. We consider two different approaches, the first one is a single-objective formulation of the problem, where the classical HS is applied with some adaptations. The second approach is to consider a multi-objective version of the HS algorithm, able to evolve a whole family of solutions in a Pareto front. Both approaches have been tested on two small-sized MGs: an 8 node MG and a 12 node MG, and results have been compared to an 8 node and a 12 node baseline scenario, respectively, obtaining improvements of up to 42%.Item Optimal Microgrid Topology Design and Siting of Distributed Generation Sources Using a Multi-Objective Substrate Layer Coral Reefs Optimization Algorithm(2018) Jiménez-Fernández, Silvia; Camacho-Gómez, Carlos; Mallol-Poyato, Ricardo; Fernández, Juan; Del Ser, Javier; Portilla-Figueras, Antonio; Salcedo-Sanz, Sancho; IAn this work, a problem of optimal placement of renewable generation and topology design for a Microgrid (MG) is tackled. The problem consists of determining the MG nodes where renewable energy generators must be optimally located and also the optimization of the MG topology design, i.e., deciding which nodes should be connected and deciding the lines’ optimal cross-sectional areas (CSA). For this purpose, a multi-objective optimization with two conflicting objectives has been used, utilizing the cost of the lines, C, higher as the lines’ CSA increases, and the MG energy losses, E, lower as the lines’ CSA increases. To characterize generators and loads connected to the nodes, on-site monitored annual energy generation and consumption profiles have been considered. Optimization has been carried out by using a novel multi-objective algorithm, the Multi-objective Substrate Layers Coral Reefs Optimization algorithm (Mo-SL-CRO). The performance of the proposed approach has been tested in a realistic simulation of a MG with 12 nodes, considering photovoltaic generators and micro-wind turbines as renewable energy generators, as well as the consumption loads from different commercial and industrial sites. We show that the proposed Mo-SL-CRO is able to solve the problem providing good solutions, better than other well-known multi-objective optimization techniques, such as NSGA-II or multi-objective Harmony Search algorithm.Item Power quality analysis of a pilot microgrid supplied by a CHP system in Greece(2011) Anastasiadis, A.; Patsiouras, C.; Tomtsi, T.; Moschakis, M.; Papathanasiou, S.; Hatziargyriou, N.; Perea, E.; Empain, D.; DIGITAL ENERGYThe cooperation of Dispersed Generation (DG) units with storage devices to meet controllable loads constitutes a Microgrid. Microgrids are Low Voltages (LV) or in some cases Medium Voltages (MV) networks. The unique feature of Microgrids is that although they operate mostly interconnected to the upper level voltage distribution network, they can be automatically transferred to islanded mode, in case of faults in the upstream network. Microgrid structure is able to unlock the full potential of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and allows the full exploitation of their advantages. The purpose of this paper is to study the power quality of the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system installed in the frame of EU-DEEP project inside the premises of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). The Microgrid system also contains batteries with inverters and critical loads. The power quality is studied by taking into consideration voltage magnitude variations, frequency variations, voltage unbalance, voltage fluctuations, as well as light flicker and harmonic distortion. Furthermore, the transitions between the islanded operation mode and the connected one are studied. The measurements are compared with the limits given by power quality Standards, especially ΕΝ 50160. The power quality analysis came to the conclusion that the current harmonic distortion is the main disturbance, because a high current Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) factor was observed. In addition, it was observed that the flicker exceeds the Standards' limits in the islanded mode. At last, it should be noted that distributed power units like the one examined can improve continuity and support the main power supply in the event of a supply outage.Item PowerDynamics.jl—An experimentally validated open-source package for the dynamical analysis of power grids(2022-01) Plietzsch, Anton; Kogler, Raphael; Auer, Sabine; Merino, Julia; Gil-de-Muro, Asier; Liße, Jan; Vogel, Christina; Hellmann, Frank; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; POWER ELECTRONICS AND SYSTEM EQUIPMENTPowerDynamics.jl is a Julia package for time-domain modeling of power grids that is specifically designed for the stability analysis of systems with high shares of renewable energies. It makes use of Julia’s state-of-the-art differential equation solvers and is highly performant even for systems with a large number of components. Further, it is compatible with Julia’s machine learning libraries and allows for the utilization of these methods for dynamical optimization and parameter fitting. The package comes with a number of predefined models for synchronous machines, transmission lines and inverter systems. However, the strict open-source approach and a macro-based user-interface also allows for an easy implementation of custom-built models which makes it especially interesting for the design and testing of new control strategies for distributed generation units. This paper presents how the modeling concept, implemented component models and fault scenarios have been experimentally tested against measurements in the microgrid lab of TECNALIA.Item Real-world MicroGrids - An overview(2007) Barnes, Mike; Ventakaramanan, Giri; Kondoh, Junji; Lasseter, Robert; Asano, Hiroshi; Hatziargyriou, Nikos; Oyarzabal, Jose; Green, Tim; POWER SYSTEMSMicrogrids are networks of small, distributed electrical power generators operated as a collective unit - a system of energy systems. The range of hardware and control options for Microgrid operation are reviewed. The paper summarizes and highlights the operating principles and key conclusions of research and field trials to-date. An overview is given on demonstration projects for Microgrids which have been, and are being, constructed.