Blogs

Today, with the accelerated pace of energy transformation, distributed energy is increasingly coming into people’s field of vision. Distributed energy can accelerate the process of decarbonization, but it is also inherently unstable and unpredictable, which undoubtedly brings challenges to the planning and operation of distribution networks. Today, in the face of this demand, microgrid is becoming a powerful way to help distributed energy to play its value and accelerate its application.

Under the trend of energy transformation, distributed energy such as photovoltaic power generation is ushering in accelerated development

Using Microgrids to Maximize the Value of Distributed Energy

As a flexible and intelligent emerging technology, microgrid can provide end users and grid companies with the value associated with distributed energy resources. On the one hand, the microgrid can integrate distributed energy and provide flexible support for the grid; on the other hand, the microgrid can also help optimize the application of distributed energy and benefit end users in the microgrid.

For grid companies, one of the most significant challenges of all time has been the operational constraints imposed by distributed energy sources, which have the potential to compromise system stability. To solve the impact of distributed energy, sufficient data and technical capabilities are needed to mitigate the impact to maintain high reliability of the system and enable distributed energy to highlight its value.

In this regard, microgrids can take advantage of their technological advancements to help grid companies solve operational challenges and maximize the value of distributed energy resources in a variety of ways.

For users, first, AI-based solutions can better manage energy use and costs while reducing emissions to improve sustainability. This requires the efficient collection of highly complex and extensive data on demand response requests from energy users, weather forecasts, electricity prices, energy market pricing, and relevant regulatory agreements. Optimization algorithms enable microgrids to leverage power contracts to optimize energy bills while reducing carbon footprints with on-site available and predictable flexibility.

Second, microgrid solutions provide value regardless of the grid configuration faced. A microgrid that is always connected to the internet and cannot operate independently can help one or more energy users achieve energy optimization; a microgrid that can operate independently can use local distributed resources as needed to enhance the resilience of one or more energy users; Microgrids, which always operate independently of the grid, can provide services to energy users in remote areas or areas where the distribution network is difficult to extend. Advanced real-time microgrid/grid control systems can ensure business continuity and power system stability during off-grid periods.

Finally, during the microgrid design phase, digital twins can help optimize the sizing of distributed energy in the microgrid, including existing and predictable solar PV, stationary battery storage, and EV-to-Building (V2B) and to the grid (V2G)” and other storage methods. AI-based solutions can use real-time data on building and grid operations to optimize microgrid designs.

Microgrid solution: the combination of EMA and EMO

In this regard, Schneider Electric can offer two main microgrid solutions, EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Advisor (EMA) and EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Operation (EMO). Among them, EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Advisor (EMA) can forecast and optimize hourly when to consume, produce, store or sell energy, and can also perform hourly forecast for distributed energy, and perform economical optimization and dispatch.

And EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Operation (EMO) helps ensure the resilience and stability of energy supply in real time under all grid conditions. EMO collects relevant data by connecting Schneider Electric or third-party energy management systems, advanced power distribution management systems and data acquisition and monitoring systems using various communication protocols (Modbus TCP IP, IEC 61850, DNP3, IEC 101 and IEC 104).

Working in tandem, these two solutions can powerfully assist energy users in developing microgrid applications. To date, Schneider Electric has delivered more than 300 microgrid and control projects, and continues to promote the application of microgrids with “energy-as-a-service” type solutions.

From Northern Europe to South Australia, microgrids help the successful application of distributed energy

In Finland, Schneider Electric provided the Schneider Electric EcoStruxure™ microgrid and EcoStruxure™ building operation integrated solutions for the Finnish logistics center of the European retail giant Lidl, helping it become an advanced carbon-neutral and net energy (generated electricity and energy more than consumption) distribution center.

This range of solutions includes comprehensive solutions that combine integrated building management systems with microgrids, advanced cooling and heating management systems, and microgrid solutions with energy storage that collect data, predict and optimize the utilization of on-site resources. running, ultimately saving up to 70% in energy costs.

As part of the logistics center solution, EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Advisor (EMA) controls the battery energy storage system and generator set in the microgrid, providing frequency support for the grid. The system provides Lidl with a new revenue stream by charging the batteries to reduce the frequency or discharging the batteries to increase the frequency when the grid frequency deviates from prescribed limits.

Coincidentally, in Australia, Schneider Electric also assisted the South Australian Agricultural Products Market Co., Ltd. to build an energy microgrid, which is also the first energy microgrid connected to the spot market in Australia. This microgrid not only meets all of the company’s energy needs, but also exports electricity to the national electricity market.

The $10.5 million microgrid includes more than 6,400 solar panels and 25 Tesla battery energy storage systems (BESS). Its control system uses Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Advisor (EMA), which can 24-hour forecast demand and spot market pricing for electricity. Using the data analysis provided by the software, South Australian Produce Market Ltd can determine when it is most economical to charge and discharge the battery energy storage system. Not only that, but the microgrid will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% per year, reduce the maximum annual demand on the South Australian grid by 3.8 MWh, and generate net savings of $4.3 million over 10 years.

Schneider Electric supports South Australian Produce Market Ltd to export electricity to the National Electricity Market

It can be seen that today, when distributed energy is ushering in new development opportunities, microgrid can become a powerful way to accelerate the application of distributed energy. While promoting energy decarbonization, it can also help users achieve economic benefits and environmental effects. Coordinated development. In the future, we look forward to the continuous development and popularization of micro-grid solutions represented by Schneider Electric’s EMA and EMO, so that distributed energy will continue to accelerate.

Recently, Schneider Electric released a white paper titled “Guidelines for Value-Driven Grid Data Management”, click on the link: https://www.schneider-electric.cn/zh/download/document/ECATA_Power_Grid_220402/

Download the white paper to gain more insights on using microgrid systems to power distributed energy applications.