Integrated Renewable Resources and Storage: Operation and Management

A smart grid is a networked group of distributed energy sources with the goal of generating, converting and storing energy, delivering the energy to end users efficiently. The full advantage of smart-grid technologies can be achieved only with smart control mechanisms, capable to manage and coordinate distributed energy systems to minimize the costs of energy production, conversion and storage. In both India and Norway, there are very ambitious and concrete plans for the development of renewable resources, especially wind energy and solar PV systems, and operating power system as a smart grid. The energy usage profile in Norway is however opposite of the profile in India, since electric energy in Norway is mainly used for heating purposes, whereas India uses it mainly for cooling. The development of a future power system with a high share of renewable energy and active participation of distributed energy resources needs focus on exploring new possibilities of ICT, data analysis, optimal operation, control and protection of network. Significant research will be needed towards integration of control for networked embedded systems, large scale monitoring, simulation, high-performance analysis, modelling and integration. The main research problem has been in the line to address the issues; (i) how to apply optimal energy management with distribution network operational flexibility (including those from consumers) and constraints. (ii) how several interconnected energy resources can be integrated and coordinated in a smart grid (iii) how to establish interaction dynamics between interconnected energy resources in a smart grid? The outcomes of the project are as follows. 1. Novel multiport DC -DC converters for integrating multi- energy resources, e.g PV and wind energy, were proposed with a focus on reducing component count while increasing voltage gain and reducing control complexity. The proposed converters were theoretically analyzed, verified numerically, and validated experimentally in the in-house experimental test bench at the University of Agder. 2. The MPCs proposed in the project can be integrated with multilevel inverters to adapt the shift from centralized to distributed generation systems in future smart grids. 3. Non-isolated multiport DC -DC converters with bipolar outputs were developed for DC microgrids, having a high voltage gain, low control complexity, and modularity such that the number of input ports can be expanded without restriction. 4. An optimization framework was proposed for evaluating the effect of energy policies and tariffs on the optimal design and operation of a detached house energy system consisting of solar, battery, and ground source heat pump. This was applied to different variations of a single-family home on the south coast of Norway. 5. Monte-Carlo type simulations were used to show that neither batteries nor the improved prediction of loads and PV production made possible by smart meters were in themselves economically beneficial for prices, loads, and tariffs typical for Norway in 2022.

The key outcomes of the project, namely, methods of optimal design and operation of detached house energy systems can be extendable minimize energy use or cost for not only households but also in food industry while proposed multiport converters for integrating renewable energies to smart grids, control methods of grid-connected converters can be appliable to electrified transports, technology-intensive oil and gas, offshore and marine industries in Norway. The developed multiport converters will recommend next generations in smart grids, electrified transport, energy systems, contributing to the goal nr. 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, while developed optimised energy methods and integrated converters will improve resource use and reducing city pollution in the goal Nr. 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities.

A smart grid is a networked group of distributed energy sources with the goal of generating, converting and storing energy, delivering the energy to end users efficiently. The full advantage of smart-grid technologies can be achieved only with smart control mechanisms, capable to manage and coordinate distributed energy systems so as to minimize the costs of energy production, conversion and storage. The development of a future power system with a high share of renewable energy and active participation of distributed energy resources needs focus on exploring the new possibilities of ICT, data analysis, optimal operation, control and protection of network. Significant research will be needed towards integration of control for networked embedded systems, large scale monitoring, simulation, high-performance analysis and cross-layer (with cyber layer with physical layer of renewable resources) modelling and integration. In both countries, there are very ambitious and concrete plans for the development of renewable resources, especially solar PV system and operation of power system as a smart grid. The energy usage profile is however opposite of the profile in India, since electric energy in Norway is mainly used for heating purposes, whereas India uses it mainly for cooling. The study in the proposal will address the following issues: • Enhancement in resilience and reliability under stochastic supply and demand with renewable energy resources operating at distribution network. • Establishment of secure communication and data handling in the system due to (i) privacy issues and (ii) risk of cyber attacks. • Design of optimal architecture addressing complexity of diversified energy resources, including storage and its demand response management • Development of optimal control strategy including (a) optimizing global grid performance (state information) with limited communications, (b) voltage and frequency control for grid stabilization.