Energy Analyzer Emulator for Microgrid Implementation and Demonstration and Respective Gateway

Abstract

Microgrids have been implemented all over the world in the last years. Several benefits are known for consumers and power grid management. As part of microgrids, the local energy management of renewable energy sources can prevent energy losses and support microgrid operation in islanded modes. Besides the success of the current microgrid implementations, improved components and models are required. This paper proposes two tools that support the implementation of microgrid demonstrations, namely at laboratorial premises. Improved microgrid models implementation enables the development, test, and validation of new energy management methodologies. The first proposed tool is a wireless gateway for energy monitoring and control. To implement complete microgrids, the second tool proposes an energy analyzer emulator, bringing unavailable loads to the microgrid, such as residential loads usually unavailable in R&D centers. A real laboratory microgrid implementation using the proposed gateway and the proposed energy analyzer emulator is presented and discussed, demonstrating the actual capabilities of the developed tools.