Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Alberta
$149,490.00
A Smart Renewable Nanogrid Research Setup Using Distributed Plug and Play Converters with Energy Storage Support
EF 2014-15
Résumé
A microgrid is a sub-circuit of a power distribution system that comprises of a number of heterogeneous renewable resources, energy storage systems and distributed loads. Less extensive than a microgrid with yet similar smaller scale components, a smart nanogrid can be as small as an energy management system for an entire building. Smart nanogrids can be AC and/or DC and can be interconnected with each other in either off grid or grid connected modes of operation. Such systems improve overall cost, reliability and carbon emission, and can manage smart use or production of energy. In this context, multiple research programs are being carried out by the applicants which are focused on distributed converter architectures and control strategies development which are the key interfacing component in smart nanogrids to achieve the aforementioned advantages. In this grant proposal, items of equipment are requested to develop a complete experimental smart nanogrid research system. The proposed setup consists of AC and DC grid simulators, loads, renewable energy simulators and flexible energy storage systems interfaced with distributed plug and play converters. The requested devices are programmable and can generate power quality events and transients to facilitate the simulation of real-world conditions of an industrial smart nanogrid system. The setup also contains rapid prototyping control system and multichannel power scope with high number of inputs and outputs perfectly suitable for such multivariable complex system. The proposed system will strongly support the applicants' research program and other researchers in the department by providing versatile testbed that enables design, development, optimization and investigation of distributed multi-converter architectures and complex nanogrid control strategies. Furthermore, it can effectively train highly qualified personnel in applied power and control areas by equipping them with practical hands-on experience in a leading-edge research.
Programme
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Alberta, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
472491-2015
Name nom
Khajehoddin, SayedAli
Department département
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Organization id
9
Institution établissement
University of Alberta
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2014
Competition year année de concours
2015
Award amount
149490
Program id
EQPEQ
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1509
Committee name en
Civil, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Committee name fr
Génie civil, industriel et des systèmes
Area of application code
513
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Electrical and electronic machinery and equipment (including computer hardware)
Area of application fr
Machinerie et équipement électriques et électroniques (y compris matériel informatique)
Research subject code
2516
Research subject group en
Electrical and electronic engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie électrique et électronique
Research subject en
Energy conversion and distribution
Research subject fr
Conversion et distribution de l'énergie
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
A Smart Renewable Nanogrid Research Setup Using Distributed Plug and Play Converters with Energy Storage Support
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
A microgrid is a sub-circuit of a power distribution system that comprises of a number of heterogeneous renewable resources, energy storage systems and distributed loads. Less extensive than a microgrid with yet similar smaller scale components, a smart nanogrid can be as small as an energy management system for an entire building. Smart nanogrids can be AC and/or DC and can be interconnected with each other in either off grid or grid connected modes of operation. Such systems improve overall cost, reliability and carbon emission, and can manage smart use or production of energy. In this context, multiple research programs are being carried out by the applicants which are focused on distributed converter architectures and control strategies development which are the key interfacing component in smart nanogrids to achieve the aforementioned advantages. In this grant proposal, items of equipment are requested to develop a complete experimental smart nanogrid research system. The proposed setup consists of AC and DC grid simulators, loads, renewable energy simulators and flexible energy storage systems interfaced with distributed plug and play converters. The requested devices are programmable and can generate power quality events and transients to facilitate the simulation of real-world conditions of an industrial smart nanogrid system. The setup also contains rapid prototyping control system and multichannel power scope with high number of inputs and outputs perfectly suitable for such multivariable complex system. The proposed system will strongly support the applicants' research program and other researchers in the department by providing versatile testbed that enables design, development, optimization and investigation of distributed multi-converter architectures and complex nanogrid control strategies. Furthermore, it can effectively train highly qualified personnel in applied power and control areas by equipping them with practical hands-on experience in a leading-edge research.
