Power Management Unit PMU for Smart consumption and distribution of Electricity on DC MicroGrid

Project Title

Power Management Unit PMU for Smart consumption and distribution of Electricity on DC MicroGrid

Project Area of Specialization Internet of ThingsProject Summary

DC micro-grid is a matrix of interconnected loads and energy resources, which can operate in grid or isolated mode.These DC micro Grids are environmental friendly and producing cheap/green energy in long term. Installment of DC micro Grids is easy, time saving and requires less space as compared to a hydel or thermal power plant.Most importantly, these systems produce clean energy, are robust and reliable power sources for mountainous, coastal and desert terrains. Furthermore, there Micro Grids can be controlled and regulated remotely via internet through a website server.A fast and reliable central communications network is thus needed to be established for safe and efficient operation of distributed power generation, energy storage devices and the load equipment. Setting up a real time communication medium and management environment to remotely control and regulate DC micro Grids for effective and smooth distribution of electricity. The data communication system includes:
Control – coordination of component operation for energy management, protection and stability.
Configuration – initial component and system set-up, selection of operating modes, adjustment of set-points and parameters, and installation of software for DSPIC and ESP8266.
Monitoring – providing consolidated data on status and performance of individual components
and the entire system over a web portal.
This paper reviews technological developments related to micro grid communication system protocols and standards and proposes a novel technique of communication between micro grid nodes via internet. Communicating components typically include control and monitoring of the power handling components, such as energy generators (Solar Panels), energy storage systems (Batteries), and loads. The proposed communication architecture will help optimize micro-grids self-sustained generation, storage, and bidirectional flow of power within the micro grid.

Project Objectives

Main objective is to design a prototype of Power managemnet unit that can be smartly utilised for consumption and distribution of electricity from DC microGrid especially in rural areas of Pakistan and a communication system which is able to perform bidirectional flow of information in real time between web server and nodes. Information retrieved by sensors is processed by micro controller namely DSPIC and then channeled to ESP8266 via serial
communication which is connected to web portal via Wi-Fi. Based on the information received from the node administrator can take decisions which are relayed back to ESP8266 which transmits the data to PIC16 and then microcontroller takes action based on the administrator’s decisions. All the processed data is stored in a memory card at site and online in a cloud storage.

Installations of PV-hybrid systems for remote power supply applications are increasing year by year. Centralized communication-based control is one of the main methods that can be implemented to achieve autonomous advanced energy management capabilities in DC micro grids. This project aims to develop an effective real time communication and management layer for DC Micro Grids to efficiently transfer and regulate the distribution and consumption of
electricity especially in rural area of Pakistan. Communication layer is mainly transport part for the DC micro-grid sensor information and operation information while Micro-grid energy management layer is the control management center for power generation, energy storage and DC-load. Currently these two layers will effectively work for a single Micro grid with multiple nodes and can be easily extended for a nationwide Micro Grid power distribution system.

Project Implementation Method

Integrated Micro Grid systems are characterized by a high degree of complexity. Therefore, data communication among the system components is important to manage, so as to coordinate the overall energy flow in the system. Communicating components typically include control and monitoring of the power handling components, such as energy generators (Solar Panels), energy storage systems (Batteries), and loads. The proposed communication architecture will help optimize micro-grids self-sustained generation, storage, and bidirectional flow of power within the micro grid. A detailed analysis of the obtained data will be carried out in terms of power flow, loss, and system efficiency and optimization techniques will be applied to maximize the yield. The implementation of the proposed communication scheme is discussed, and its performance evaluated using theoretical and co-simulation analysis, which is better than what is available currently. The proposed design is superior in comparison with existing architectures because of its

1) Real time data monitoring through web portal

2) Online data storage on a cloud (Google sheets)

3) ability to control power switches through web portal in real time

4) On site data storage on a SD Card.

5) Power management via web portal.

Benefits of the Project

DC Micro Grids offers wide range of advantages compared to traditional AC grids. Transmission and distribution of power is far more efficient and less lossy in DC micro grids as compared to AC grids. Easy installment and implementation of Dc Micro Grids makes it quite feasible to counter ever increasing demand for electricity especially in rural areas of Pakistan. This not only serves the basic need fulfillment but its reliable and robust power system makes it lasts longer and cheaper in the long run. DC micro grid is not a complicated system, it is user friendly and can be easily control through a remote server.
Customers
· User Friendly and cheaper in the longer run
· Low maintenance costs
· Efficient power conversion with minimum losses
· Can share power with other nodes/customers

Society
· Produce clean/green energy, minimizing the impact of global warming
· Rural and remotely areas can be easily electrified
· Easy installation and implementation
· Can be easily linked with other renewable energy sources such as wind, geothermal etc.
· Low initial cost as compared to AC grids
· Can be easily dismantle and transported for future use

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Deliverables
1. Design an effective and cost efficient prototype of PMU.
2. Develop a web portal to display data in real time and manage power flow.
3. Develop on-line cloud based storage system.
4. Develop on-site storage system.

Technical Details
We are using dsPic30f Micro Controller which senses 6 different voltages and currents which then calculates the power. The Micro controller measures the following
1. Battery voltage
2. Grid Voltage
3. Battery to Grid power
4. Grid to Battery power
5. Solar power
6. Battery to Load power
Micro Controller then sends the above data to ESP 8266 for further processing, simultaneously it receives switching/ threshold setting from ESP 8266 to shut down any particular node or perform other processes.

Micro Controller is followed by NODEMCU ESP 8266. The ESP8266 is a low-cost Wi-Fi microchip with full TCP/IP stack and microcontroller capability. It serves a very important function in our communication layer it receives data from Micro Controllers and transmits this data wirelessly to our web portal in real time, simultaneously it stores the data into online Google sheets and update it at every instant data is received. ESP8266 is also connected with SD card modules RTC modules. This serves our backup plan for data storage and it runs in parallel with the online Google sheets. We will not lose any data incase internet connection is disrupted. Secondly RTC module makes sure that it provides the exact time when data is received, so we can constantly monitor our data at any instant of time. Web portal after processing the data sends either manual or programmed command to ESP 8266 which is then serially communicated to the Micro Controller for further potential action.A web portal was designed to control and maintain the whole communication system of our DC micro grid system. This is essentially the brain of our communication layer. It accepts the data from ESP 8266 and displays the real time values (voltages, currents and power) of our Dc Micro grid. The whole data server/web portal is programmed to manage and operate the DC micro Grid autonomously; simultaneously it can take commands from user for any emergency action at any instant of time. Website programming is done in GUI and can manage unlimited nodes and respectively display their values.

 

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemType of Industry Energy Technologies Internet of Things (IoT), Clean TechSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for People, Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate ActionRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	77482
RTC modules-DS3231	Equipment	6	150	900
ESP8266	Equipment	5	370	1850
Micro sd card module	Equipment	6	100	600
Connectors(female-Female)	Miscellaneous	6	80	480
Connectors(Male-Female)	Miscellaneous	12	550	6600
SMPS-5V (XL4015)	Equipment	12	130	1560
Current Sensors (30A)	Equipment	21	230	4830
MOSFET/IRFP4110/15	Equipment	40	150	6000
PVC Connectors 60A	Equipment	4	100	400
Heat sinks	Equipment	20	10	200
PCB Sheet 1’x1’	Equipment	6	427	2562
Cells-2032	Equipment	5	30	150
8 GB SD cards	Equipment	6	255	1530
Data Cable-Long-8660	Equipment	3	80	240
Soldering Iron	Miscellaneous	1	280	280
Data Cables-Short-8660	Equipment	6	30	180
Fuse Box	Equipment	15	20	300
Iron filament	Equipment	2	40	80
Usb Jack	Equipment	24	5	120
Battery Terminals	Equipment	5	40	200
Relays-60F12V	Equipment	10	330	3300
Thimble 5.5	Equipment	60	3	150
Thimble 5.5	Equipment	5	30	150
Solder wire	Miscellaneous	1	220	220
Parts Box	Miscellaneous	4	50	200
Heat sink paste	Equipment	2	50	100
High precision resistors	Equipment	140	3	420
Power resistors(15W)	Equipment	15	22	330
Ring Cores -46mm	Equipment	8	200	1600
Ring Cores -58mm	Equipment	2	250	500
Ring Cores -58mm	Equipment	9	250	2250
IR2110-IC	Equipment	34	100	3400
Cutter	Miscellaneous	1	300	300
Exide N260 33 Plates 200 Ah Battery	Equipment	1	22500	22500
JInko Solar Panel 24 V 350W	Equipment	1	13000	13000