Recent decentralization of electricity systems together with the decarbonization and several changing societal demands are giving rise to different application scenarios such as microgrids. A microgrid is a small-scale electrical system which consists of several loads and sources (conventional and renewables) that can either operate autonomously in a stand-alone mode or interconnected with the main grid. The design and development of such a smart microgrid in a university campus is proposed within the 3DMicroGrid project (funded through the ERANETMED European Union's initiative). This paper reviews the main components and characteristics of similar microgrids developed around the world. Furthermore, this study provides the design guidelines, the main functionalities, the key components and the control architecture for developing the microgrid proposed by the 3DMicroGrid project. A simulation model has been developed and initial results are demonstrated for the operation of this microgrid. The recommendations and insights are replicable to any solar priority country for future microgrids pilots.
This paper aims to highlight the endeavors of a microgrid campus development from data to design stage that is under development at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), Malta. Malta is an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea having an area of 316km2 and receives the highest EU solar irradiance. The MCAST micro-grid is the first living laboratory for training and research on the island with onethird of the campus fully development in state-of-the-art facilities. In this case study, the loads consumption, photovoltaic (PV) generation and potential Electric Vehicles (EVs), that may support the campus when necessary are analysed for further designs supported by over 2 years of campus data. This analysis would provide the understanding of integrating future EVs on campus and higher penetration of PVs while keeping high consumption loads at watch. In addition, reliability and cost factors of the MCAST micro-grid are considered and recommendations are given on the infrastructure to complete campus wide transformation.
This paper discusses the simulation framework developed for an in-campus pilot micro-grid at MCAST, Malta, to enhance its efficiency and reliability. One year of real-time metered data were used to arrive at the load curves, categorize the loads as essential and non-essential ones, and decide the micro-grid domain within MCAST. The potential scenarios were modeled to observe the behavior of the present status of the micro-grid, with an increased photovoltaic (PV) generation capacity, by using an optimum battery storage system with a diesel generator of suitable capacity and finally integrating electric vehicles (EVs) to discuss the potential of vehicle to grid (V2G) operation modes. The existing building management system (BMS) of MCAST was interfaced within the micro-grid to introduce the geographic information system (GIS) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for developing an intelligent 3D model of the micro-grid. The results of the simulation framework for various potential case scenarios were obtained in a MATLAB/Simulink environment to assess the performance of the micro-grid. Previously formulated key performance indices (KPIs) that describe the financial aspects of micro-grid operation and ecological benefits of the investigated micro-grid were evaluated. A sensitivity analysis of these KPIs shows encouraging results with the potential of cost-competitiveness.
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