Centralized and distributed control techniques for the energy management of microgrids: development and implementation

• Grant number: 19/17306-1
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
• Principal researcher: Luiz Carlos Pereira da Silva
• Grantee: Jéssica Alice Alves da Silva
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação (FEEC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/08645-9 - Interdisciplinary research activities in electric smart grids, AP.TEM

Abstract

Microgrids are gaining projection in evolution of the traditional electrical system towards a more modern and distributed grid. Since the first applications in isolated systems to the nowadays, the concept of microgrids has progresses, adding benefits to a larger set of consumers, involving their integration with the electrical system, to enable operate connected or island to the grid.However, the extensive increase of distributed generation and renewable energy installed, as well as the development of energy storage systems, create challenges to maintain grid balancing. This is due to the intermittency of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar generation, which depend on climatic conditions that are beyond human control. Different approaches have been proposed to overcome these problems, in order to strengthen the resilience and robustness of the network, but this increase the complexity of its control. Therefore, new optimal management algorithms are required to operate the microgrids.The main objective of this research project is to develop and test centralized and distributed optimization strategies to operate and manage the pilot microgrids LABREI and CAMPUSGRID, that will be implemented in UNICAMP through the P&D MERGE - Microgrids for Efficient Reliable and Greener Energy, and considering the insertion in FAPESP 2016/08645-9 thematic project. Thus, this research project will allow to evaluate the performance of microgrids control tools in a safe and low risk laboratory environment (e.i., LABREI) providing a high level of knowledge and mastery of the subject and later to be tested in real applications. According to the results within the laboratory, the strategies will be adapted for preliminary field implementation testing on the CAMPUSGRID microgrid. (AU)