Design and Performance Investigation of a Pilot Micro-Grid in the Mediterranean: MCAST Case Study

Vibhu Jately, Balaji Venkateswaran V., Stefan Azzopardi and Brian Azzopardi
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Vibhu Jately: MCAST Energy Research Group (MCAST Energy), Institute of Engineering and Transport, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), Triq Kordin, PLA9032 Paola, Malta
Balaji Venkateswaran V.: School of Technology, Woxsen University, Hyderabad 502345, India
Stefan Azzopardi: MCAST Energy Research Group (MCAST Energy), Institute of Engineering and Transport, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), Triq Kordin, PLA9032 Paola, Malta
Brian Azzopardi: MCAST Energy Research Group (MCAST Energy), Institute of Engineering and Transport, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), Triq Kordin, PLA9032 Paola, Malta

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-32

Abstract: This paper discusses the simulation framework developed for an in-campus pilot micro-grid at MCAST, Malta, to enhance its efficiency and reliability. One year of real-time metered data were used to arrive at the load curves, categorize the loads as essential and non-essential ones, and decide the micro-grid domain within MCAST. The potential scenarios were modeled to observe the behavior of the present status of the micro-grid, with an increased photovoltaic (PV) generation capacity, by using an optimum battery storage system with a diesel generator of suitable capacity and finally integrating electric vehicles (EVs) to discuss the potential of vehicle to grid (V2G) operation modes. The existing building management system (BMS) of MCAST was interfaced within the micro-grid to introduce the geographic information system (GIS) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for developing an intelligent 3D model of the micro-grid. The results of the simulation framework for various potential case scenarios were obtained in a MATLAB/Simulink environment to assess the performance of the micro-grid. Previously formulated key performance indices (KPIs) that describe the financial aspects of micro-grid operation and ecological benefits of the investigated micro-grid were evaluated. A sensitivity analysis of these KPIs shows encouraging results with the potential of cost-competitiveness.

Keywords: micro-grid; BESS; PV system; LCoE; GHG emission (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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