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Model a Microgrid?

asked 2019-01-02 17:11:31 -0600

Hi All,

Any recommendations on modeling microgrids? I'm looking for a feasibility level of modeling, not a detailed electrical systems model.

I want to help a client look at balancing PV, batteries, nat gas generators. Possibly also look at economics of entering frequency regulation market.

I have a little familiarity with NREL's SAM tool. Are there building modeling tools that have integrated something like this?

Thanks! Graham

Comments

You could look into Homer (paid software)

Julien Marrec ( 2019-01-03 08:54:28 -0600 )edit

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answered 2019-01-03 10:51:29 -0600

MatthewSteen

10147 ●19 ●26 https://www.nrel.gov/b...

updated 2019-01-03 11:14:00 -0600

Here's a list that's probably incomplete.

I recommend HOMER (free trial and "QuickStart" web versions are available), which I've used to model on and off grid systems. One of the challenges I had was getting hourly load profiles early in design when the design engineers only had peak and monthly values (I wrote some Python functions for this purpose). However, if there are detailed building models for the project, the outputs can be used for the inputs to the microgrid model.

Compared to building models, microgrid models can be much simpler because there are fewer inputs and the analyses typically only involve aggregated loads (electric, gas, etc.) compared to all the individual loads in an building model (lights, equipment, HVAC, etc.). Depending on your use case, microgrids can also be modeled using an energy balance approach in a spreadsheet.