Demonstration of distributed energy resource management system based virtual power plant

Project Title

Demonstration of distributed energy resource management system based virtual power plant

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary

In electrical power system networkelectricity is generated in power plants then transformer steps up the voltages for transmission through long distances then for local and commercial use of electricity voltages are step down then distributed lines carry electricity to PMT’s (Pole Mounted Transformers) and finally it reaches to our homes. So, during this whole process there are many challenges occurs at all these three sectors. There can be hundreds of NAN’s (Neighborhood Area Network) connected to the distribution system. The distributed system is responsible fulfil the demand of electricity to the connected NAN’s so when any sort of shortage occurs in a particular or multiple NANs the distribution system needs to resolve it as soon as possible which could create load on distribution sector. Now to overcome this situation a smart system can be designed and implemented between distribution system, NAN’s network, reactive power control system and different DG’s (Distributed generations) also connected to this smart system that could not only help the distribution system to handle the supply shortage efficiently but also protect the system from over or under voltage conditions, short circuit fault, and low power factor.

Project Objectives

The objective of this project is to upgrade the current distribution system by connecting smart system between distribution substation and NAN’s (Neighborhood Area Network) network. This would help in optimizing the current distribution system. The function of this smart system is to communicate and control different substations and DER’s (Distributed Energy Resources) to distribute electrical power efficiently.

Project Implementation Method

To automate the old electric power system, we will use software to make logics and implement them on hardware. We will use LABVIEW (a software for block programming) and Arduino IDE to program Arduino devices. There will be logics implemented on Arduino that if load demand is increased DER will automatically turn on to supply the load to meet the demand of that load. Same logics will be applied on PFI plant (power factor improvement plant) to turn on according to the requirement. To synchronize the DER with main grid, grid tied inverter will be used and only PV module will be used as a DER for demonstration.

Our project is based on 5 sub-systems that will be combined.

Distribution System:

Distributed Energy Resource (DER):

Neighborhood Area Network (NAN):

Reactive Power Control System:

Smart Control System:

The smart control system will be our laptop to which all the subsystems would be connected though a software LabVIEW.

Benefits of the Project

Benefits of the project:    

1. The system will be able of manage energy flow throughout the system efficiently.
2. The system will be able to monitor the loads connected at the consumer end.
3. The system will be able to protect the distribution network from over-under voltage conditions, short circuit fault conditions by controlling different circuit breakers and relays connected to it.
4. The system would be able to respond on low power factor and will be able to improve it.
5. The system will be secure from the cyber-attacks that could harm the communication between the devices connected as a laptop will be used with password login.

This project can also be used as a trainer for educational purposes as the objective of this project is to implement the smart grid system on a small scale. This project will deal in the electrical power system domains like power generation, protection, and distribution. This trainer provides several opportunities for students to learn a variety of things like synchronization of DER with power system network along with automation, stabilizing power system in overload condition, automatic power factor improvement, uninterrupted power supply using DERs, solar power generation. Also, it involves different software’s learning like LabVIEW and Arduino IDE.

The target of our product are the universities where Power Engineering is taught. The trainer can be used to perform different labs of power generation which include renewable energy generation, synchronization of DER with power system network. Protection labs include over/under voltage protection, overloading protection, fault current protection, power factor improvement. Distribution labs include load monitoring and management system. Transmission labs includes uninterrupted power supply system.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Technical details of final deliverable:

All the 4 sub-systems will be combined and connected with the centralized system that will monitor and control all the subsystems.

Distributed Energy Resource (DER):

Energy will be generated using solar array and will be stored in battery. Inverter is used for DC to AC power conversion. Grid-Tie inverter will be used so that we can connected the DER with the main line. Arduino based switching and voltage-current-power measurement circuit will be connected in this system to monitor and control the DER.

Distribution System:

Distribution system contains the AC source coming from K-Electric that will be connected to Arduino based switching and voltage-current-power measurement circuit to monitor and control the system.

VAR Control System:

Power factor control system carries capacitor bank and the Arduino based switching circuit that will be used to improve power factor of the system when required.

Neighborhood Area Network (NAN):

NAN carries multiple smart meters that will represent different homes connected with the smart centralized system that will monitor and control the loads connected at the consumer end. 

Centralized System:

The centralized system will be our laptop will control and monitor all the subsystems connected with the USB communication. The software for making HMI is LabVIEW. Arduino IDE will be used to implement different control logics for the protection of the system and measurement of different electrical quantities like voltage, current, power, frequency, power factor and kilowatt hour.

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry Energy Other Industries Others Core Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Quality Education, Affordable and Clean EnergyRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	72750
Arduino	Equipment	4	650	2600
Circuit Breakers	Equipment	5	600	3000
PZEM module	Equipment	5	1350	6750
4 channel relay module	Equipment	2	300	600
150W PV Array	Equipment	2	10000	20000
Battery	Equipment	1	9000	9000
Grid tie inverter	Equipment	1	25000	25000
Bulb load	Equipment	4	200	800
Wires, soldering, boards	Miscellaneous	1	2000	2000
Shipping	Miscellaneous	1	3000	3000