Smart Fuel Cell Operated Residential Micro-Grid Community

Abstract

Project Objectives: To build on the work of year one by expanding the smart control algorithm developed to a micro-grid of ten houses; to perform a cost analysis; to evaluate alternate energy sources; to study system reliability; to develop the energy management algorithm, and to perform micro-grid software and hardware simulations.Background: Fuel cells for residential use have a specified power output, normally 5kW that can only be exceeded for short periods of time. However, domestic loads in excess of 5kW are not unusual and the purpose of the smart energy management and control system (SEMaC) is to regulate the demand to the specified output while minimizing occupants' discomfort.