Design factors for developing a university campus microgrid

Abstract

Recent decentralization of electricity systems together with the decarbonization and several changing societal demands are giving rise to different application scenarios such as microgrids. A microgrid is a small-scale electrical system which consists of several loads and sources (conventional and renewables) that can either operate autonomously in a stand-alone mode or interconnected with the main grid. The design and development of such a smart microgrid in a university campus is proposed within the 3DMicroGrid project (funded through the ERANETMED European Union’s initiative). This paper reviews the main components and characteristics of similar microgrids developed around the world. Furthermore, this study provides the design guidelines, the main functionalities, the key components and the control architecture for developing the microgrid proposed by the 3DMicroGrid project. A simulation model has been developed and initial results are demonstrated for the operation of this microgrid. The recommendations and insights are replicable to any solar priority country for future microgrids pilots.