Microgrid Development for Properties

Abstract

Microgeneration and/or on-site generation from renewable sources, which are generally intermittent, have been pushing the way forward to introduce intelligence to Building Management System (BMS), so as to integrate local energy generation and storage with the public grid and form an intelligent microgrid. This paper aims to develop a property microgrid for the Samuel Lindow Building of the University of Central Lancashire at its Westlakes Campus, West Cumbria, UK. This system covers energy (both electricity and heat) generation from on-site renewable sources and gas, energy storage and energy demand management. Through optimum operation control of the microgrid whilst minimising electrical power transfer from the main grid, this system will enable the property to maximise the benefit of the renewable sources, to improve energy efficiency, to reduce the energy bill, to minimise the impact of the renewable generation on the main grid, and to reduce greenhouse gas emission.