Small energy grids set to make a powerful difference in communities
A new project is underway to improve the efficiency and reliability of microgrids, small-scale systems of residential or commercial connected properties that can generate and share their power. These microgrids are designed to work independently or in conjunction with the main power grid, providing a sustainable solution for communities transitioning to renewable energy sources.
"If something happens to the main power grid, a microgrid can step in to provide reliable, cost-effective and sustainable energy to the local customers within that microgrid," says Associate Professor Jiefeng (Jerry) Hu – microgrid and renewable energies expert within Federation University’s Centre for New Energy Transition Research (CfNETR).
Associate Professor Hu has been awarded a $1.2 million Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship, allowing him to bring two PhD students to work on the four-year project.
The project involves developing a next-generation electrical power network and innovative power converter driven by a control algorithm to give the system the smarts it needs to perform efficiently.
"For a single house, the system doesn't have to be too smart. In this case, it's a single inverter, but with a microgrid with a lot of households connected to share energy, those converters must talk to each other and then try to optimise their own actions," he says.
Associate Professor Hu says integrating more renewables into the power system can be a challenge. Current power systems are relatively stable because of the large synchronous generators that generate electricity. This means electric frequency and voltage are generally reliable.
"However, if we try to put a lot of photovoltaic (PV) panels and energy from wind turbines into the power grid, that risks polluting the power system, making the power system unstable," Assoc Prof Hu says.
"So how do we fix this problem? We have to decentralise our power grid into different parts and into multiple small-scale microgrids, and these can operate independently and sustainably. This will increase general reliability."
The project will begin with the development of a prototype power converter, which will eventually be put into a real-world application, like a household. Associate Professor Hu says industry will be invited to get involved and to help guide the real-world testing.
If the system works as expected, Associate Professor Hu hopes it will lead to commercialisation opportunities.
"One of the potential benefits of microgrids is we can help people reduce their electricity bills," Assoc Prof Hu says.
“They will be getting less power from the grid, and they can use their own solar and wind generation to reduce their electricity costs.
Interested in learning more about renewable energy and microgrids, or studying electrical engineering at Federation University? Contact Associate Professor Jerry Hu at j.hu@federation.edu.au.