Abstract
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.
Highlights
The commercial use of electricity started only towards the end of the nineteenth century
For PV generation, a peak of 25 kW is observed between 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., ensuring the absence of surplus energy generation as the load demand curve is developed by only the absence of surplus energy generation as the load demand curve is developed by only considering the essential loads without adding the non-essential ones
This paper investigates the performance of the MCAST micro-grid
Summary
The commercial use of electricity started only towards the end of the nineteenth century. This shift in thinking has come about on considerations of (i) the development of competitive technologies and systems of renewable sources like solar and wind; (ii) difficulties in getting right-of-way for constructing new transmission lines; (iii) customers’ demand for a highly reliable supply of electricity; (iv) deregulation of electrical generation, transmission, and distribution markets; and (v) the need to limit GHG emissions These factors are responsible for a growing interest in the study of micro-grids, especially in finding ways to control the micro-grids so that they can support the main grid by helping in the demandside management of loads (shaving off or shifting away from some load during peak hours), by meeting partially active or reactive power needs of the grid during a disturbance, by feeding the essential loads in the domain of the micro-grid in islanded mode. The paper concludes with a summary and an assessment of the performance of the micro-grids, especially in the Mediterranean region
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