Micro-Grid Campus Concept from Data to Design: Case Study Malta

Azzopardi, Brian; Azzopardi, Stefan; Bartolo, Brian; Jately, Vibhu; Mikalauskine, Renata; Bhattacharya, Somesh; Khalifeh, Ala’; Hadjidemetriou, Lenos; Tsolakis, Apostolos C.; Martínez-Ramos, José L.; Martensen, Nis; Önen, Ahmet; Borg, N.J.C.M. van der; Khiat, Mounir; Camilleri, Tim

doi:10.1109/pvsc45281.2020.9300418

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(5 reference statements)

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“…However, some new metrics are being suggested for including the costs of charging etc. into the levelized costs whose effect will anyway be more than offset by a conservative assumption of five-year life of Li-ion batteries used in this study against the industry recommendation of 10 years [33][34][35].…”

Section: Sensitivity Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and Performance Investigation of a Pilot Micro-Grid in the Mediterranean: MCAST Case Study

Jately

Azzopardi

et al. 2021

Energies

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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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Section: Sensitivity Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and Performance Investigation of a Pilot Micro-Grid in the Mediterranean: MCAST Case Study

Jately

Azzopardi

et al. 2021

Energies

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“…The introduction of an optimal-sized battery energy storage system (BESS) increases the grid flexibility and minimizes the uncertain nature of renewables [1]. In addition, microgrids are espoused with renewable energy resources (RERs) and other distributed energy resources (DERs) to enhance their economy and reliability in a self-controlled way [2]- [6]. However, with the increasing demand growth, microgrids are subjected to capacity expansion, bringing investment challenges.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic Framework for Optimal Capacity Expansion of Active Microgrid in the Mediterranean: A Case Study of MCAST

Jately

Azzopardi

2021

IEEE Access

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The purpose of microgrids is to improve system flexibility and resilience during normal and emergency conditions. The ceaseless load growth mandates to increase microgrid's capacity, thereby improving the system flexibility and resilience. However, capacity expansion requires significant investments, making it essential to identify the optimal capacity of energy resources. The methodologies proposed in the literature identifies the microgrid's capacity with an assumption of investments with a single installment. This way of theoretical approach leads to unrealistic solutions. Besides, microgrid's participation in a flexible market will enhance its performance both in commercial and technical aspects. Therefore, this paper proposes a realistic framework with the concept "expansion through time" inspired by "Real Options Theory." This framework includes practical parameters like resource & load uncertainty, physical space required to install, revenue generated by resources, and maximum demand penalty, on top of electrical parameters; constrained with significant return in investments to improve the overall savings. In addition, this paper proposes a market participation model for microgrid, which defines a bidding process with two components, such as regular and flexible portions under both normal and extreme conditions. This study considers renewable-based energy resources like solar-photovoltaic plants (SPPs) and battery energy storage systems (BESSs) as microgrids' energy resources. The system chosen for testing the efficacy of the proposed framework is a real-world active-microgrid of Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), located on an island.

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Micro-Grid Campus Concept from Data to Design: Case Study Malta

Cited by 2 publications

References 8 publications

Design and Performance Investigation of a Pilot Micro-Grid in the Mediterranean: MCAST Case Study

Design and Performance Investigation of a Pilot Micro-Grid in the Mediterranean: MCAST Case Study

Techno-Economic Framework for Optimal Capacity Expansion of Active Microgrid in the Mediterranean: A Case Study of MCAST

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