Modeling of a Village-Scale Multi-Energy System for the Integrated Supply of Electric and Thermal Energy

Abstract

Energy system models for off-grid systems usually tend to focus solely on the provision of electricity for powering simple appliances, thus neglecting more energy-intensive and critical needs, such as water heating. The adoption of a Multi-Energy System (MES) perspective would allow us not only to provide comprehensive solutions addressing all types of energy demand, but also to exploit synergies between the electric and thermal sectors. To this end, we expand an existing open-source micro-grid optimization model with a complementary thermal model. Results show how the latter achieves optimal solutions that are otherwise restricted, allowing for a reduction in the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of 59% compared to a conventional microgrid, and an increase of reliance on renewable sources of 70%.

Renewable Energy Systems 2020

“…This application was clearly considered useful mainly for security purposes, alerting the user when a device reaches a defined threshold power consumption. Stevanato et al [11] showed that an open-source multi-energy system optimization tool effectively allows one to obtain the lowest-cost optimal solutions for the generation and comparison of multiple integrated thermal and electric energy system configurations for off-grid contexts. Their tool was applied to the Chilean village of Toconao, proposing a configuration in which thermal loads and electrical loads can be satisfied by a completely integrated system, consisting of PV panels, an electric storage system, a back-up diesel generator, solar thermal collectors, a hot-water storage tank, and back-up LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) boilers.…”

“…Considering this background, the studies collected in this Special Issue cover the following topics: (i) the analysis of plants based on photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery energy storages, investigating the use of electric vehicles [3], the coupling of these systems with a single hydropower plant for renewable energy communities [4], the assessment of the impacts of these plants on the effectiveness of electric distribution grids [5], their economic evaluation in residential applications for islands not electrically connected to the mainland [6], and the development of novel control strategies to address voltage disturbance in transmission systems connected with PV systems [7]; (ii) the economic analysis of a novel floating offshore wind structure, built with concrete [8]; (iii) the power to synthetic natural gas (PtSNG) plants to store intermittent renewable sources [9]; (iv) a low-cost secured distributed Internet of Things (IoT) system for monitoring and controlling appliances/devices connected in a polygeneration microgrid supplied by renewable technologies [10] as well as the optimization of both independent energy systems, ensured by the integration of the thermal/electric energy systems and renewable energy systems [11], and of building energy consumption by means load forecasting methodologies [12].…”

Planning third generation minigrids: Multi-objective optimization and brownfield investment approaches in modelling village-scale on-grid and off-grid energy systems

“…Building on previous modelling experience of the authors [17][18][19] the proposed methodology is implemented into the modelling framework MicrogridsPy [20]. It is an open-source python-based model conceived for the optimization of hybrid electric microgrids, including solar PV, wind turbines, diesel genset and batteries.…”

An Efficiency-Based Power Management Strategy for an Isolated Microgrid Project

“…All these factors made the big centralized electrical system move to more decentralized and local ones; in this scenario microgrids are one of the most interesting challenges [3]. A microgrid is an energy supply network built around local power and (usually also) heat generation facilities [4], and it is designed to operate autonomously or in parallel with a national grid [5]. In order to foster economy growth, it is vital to develop local microgrids capable of generating and distributing electricity in many contexts, such as islands, and remote areas.…”