Duration
18h Th, 18h Pr, 24h Proj., 1d FW
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Learning unit contents
Microgrids are localized electrical grids operated in parallel with the main utility grid. They are developing strongly these days, mainly because the price of producing electricity next to the load is becoming in many parts of the world cheaper than the retail price of electricity. Future microgrids are very likely to rely strongly on storage, renewable sources of electricity, and smart management of the load. Power electronics will play a central role in the electrical structure of these microgrids.
This class is made of three main parts. However, the course is under constant evolution and is evolving towards more practical content, considering practical implementations constraints, possibilities offered by IoT to monitor and control the load and learn from it, ways to store microgrid management-related data, etc.
- The first part focuses on the modeling of microgrids components and microgrid topologies.
- The second part will focus on the optimal operation of microgrids to maximize their revenues and other objectives. For this part, different models of interaction of the microgrids with the main utility grid will be considered such as for example a fully off-grid microgrid, a microgrid that can trade energy with other actors of the electrical system, or a microgrid that can sell ancillary services to the main utility grid.
- The third part of the course will build on the first and second parts to determine how to size microgrids from a clean sheet.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
- To understand what are the main components of a microgrid and to get the basic knowledge for building one.
- To know how to optimize both the "behavior" of a microgrid and its sizing.
- To understand how microgrids can be integrated into the main utility grid.
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, III.1, III.2, III.3, III.4, IV.1, IV.3, IV.6, VI.1, VI.2 of the MSc in electrical engineering
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
- Basic knowledge of circuit theory, energy markets, and power systems.
- Prior exposure to optimization and machine learning is a plus, but key notions will be introduced during the lectures.
- Scientific programming in Python
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Short theoretical sessions. Implementation and experimentation by the student on computer-aided simulation tools and in the lab. Q&A with the Professor and the teaching assistant.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Short teaching sessions, face to face discussion of assignments.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Course slides and other material are available on GitHub https://github.com/bcornelusse/ELEN0445-microgrids and eCampus throughout the year.
Recommended but not mandatory reading: Microgrids and other local area power and energy networks, Cambridge university press, 2016, A. Kwasinski, W. Weaver, R. Balog.
Written work / report
Further information:
Mandatory assignments along the quadrimester.
September session: projects and an oral exam.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The class is given during the first quadrimester.
See https://github.com/bcornelusse/ELEN0445-microgrids for the course schedule and organization.