More information
Description
The main objective of the project is to design and demonstrate a technology for the development of smart microgrids. This technology will help clients e.g., energy parks and public buildings, to have full control of their investments in renewable energy and related microgrids, at all stages. The main stages include design, development, construction, operation and maintenance. The main target groups are renewable energy developers, strategic local administration facilities, civil and industrial facility owners and municipalities.
The SMARTech project will support the energy transition to Smart Grid, starting from existing infrastructures, with better implementation and interoperability of renewable energy production equipment, storage solutions, smart consumption strategies, monitoring and energy efficiency. The benefits are significantly improved by using a high-performance control system for intelligent management of resources, optimization of consumption and storage, automated decisions and energy stability. The project will design, implement and test a technology for developing smart microgrids using standardized templates and a knowledge base that allows the quasi-automated development of documentation related to the entire life cycle of microgrid construction and operation.
The project will be implemented in partnership with Norce Norwegian Research Center which is one of Norway''s largest independent research institutions. Their role will be to support the SIS SA in modeling and evaluation of the implications regulations and standards in the microgrid and related fields and to support the completion of research results. The partner''s experience will facilitate the transition of knowledge to SIS SA''s modelling and simulation group tasked with developing tools for analyzing, predicting and optimizing performance of micro energy grids.
Summary of project results
In order to meet the EU''s climate change and energy policy targets by 2030, a major transformation of the energy infrastructure will be needed, as this infrastructure will be largely based on intermittent production of renewable energy. By 2050 the Energy System is expected to have a 90% share of renewable energy sources. The SMARTech project will support the energy transition to Smart Grid, starting from existing infrastructures, with better implementation and interoperability of renewable energy production equipment, storage solutions, smart consumption strategies, monitoring and energy efficiency. The benefits are significantly improved by using a high-performance control system for intelligent management of resources, optimization of consumption and storage, automated decisions (to provide economic benefits) and energy stability.
Current solutions are oriented towards classical approaches with: investment, design teams, automation systems integrator and multi-disciplinary teams. The use of computer-aided design software packages, such as AUTOCAD, CADY or dimensioning software, is the maximum level of use of computer technologies. The existing automation solutions are only focused on controlling the microgrids in the production areas, providing only basic technical resources for the implementation, and are mainly suitable for large complex applications, requiring trained specialists for each specific solution and involving high costs.
The project designed and tested a technology for developing smart microgrids using standardized templates and a knowledge base that allows the quasi-automated development of documentation related to the entire life cycle of microgrid construction and operation.
The main outcome of the project is a „Platform as a Service” that hosts the development technology, cyber-physical interface, IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) compatibility and inter-connectivity.
Technical solution:
- New platform (called LIFETIME - Life Cycle Smart Microgrid Development Medium) capable of hosting: a Digital Twin modelling, simulation and development environment (equipped with a cyber-physical interface that ensures digital connectivity between microgrid components), the human interface and open access to libraries of models. OS1
- Practical guide for microgrid development. OS2
- Algorithms and strategies for the implementation of Time Shifting and Peak Shaving, in order to ensure not only the optimal operation of the microgrid, but also security and resilience both at the level of the microgrid and of the main distribution network. OS3
- Flexible production of control and interconnection modules through hardware and software configuration. OS4
- New high technological level based on the implementation of both current and future communication standards, facilitating interoperability. OS5
Outcomes:
a. Number of renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy security technologies/ solutions/ services developed as a result of the project: 4 (1 technology, 3 services; transferable and reproducible), respectively:
- Tehnology - P1: Microgrid development technology SMARTech, P2: Controller and interface modules,
- Service - S1: Design documentation development services for each phase,
- Service - S2: Microgrid performance monitoring and evaluation reports (in operation),
- Service - S3: Platform as a service (PaaS).
b. Number of successful joint applications for Intellectual Property protection (copyrights, industrial design, trademarks, patents) by research institutions and enterprises: 1 IPR Application for microgrid technology development protection (by the Project Promoter);
c. Number of jobs created: 2 during the project implementation.
Outputs:
a. Number of research and development on renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy security projects supported: 1;
b. Number of signed collaborative agreements between research institutions and enterprises involved in the programme: 3.
c. Number of scientific publications: 4.
Summary of bilateral results
NORCE is one of Norway''s largest independent research institutes, with more than 750 employees from around the world, and with expertise in a wide range of fields such as energy, health care, climate, the environment, society and technology.The role of NORCE was to support the SIS SA in modelling and evaluation of the implications, regulations and standards in the microgrid and related fields, and to support the completion of research results (technological risk study, market). The partner''s experience facilitated the transition of knowledge to SIS SA''s modelling and simulation group tasked with developing tools for analysing, predicting and optimizing performance of micro energy grids. NORCE also supported the project beneficiary in the analysis of microgrids architecture and preliminary specifications, having previous experience on topics such as: resilience and reliability under stochastic supply and demand with renewable energy resources, establishment of secure communication, design of optimal architecture. This paved the way for the sustainability of the project, and for future commercialization of the project results.