Campus Facilities Microgrid Expansion

This project aims to provide tactful insight and models on how to expand the existing microgrid on campus to include the future generation capabilities of steam turbines and a PV solar array to support critical loads and maximize efficiency within the microgrid.​

=Introduction=

Background
A capital project to install steam turbines to the campus energy plant for power generation is currently underway thanks to the help of multiple senior design projects. The turbines will be the basis for the first microgrid on campus to reduce energy costs and support critical loads during power outages. The overall UI microgrid scope includes the entire campus, with a total of 143 floors, excluding Northern farms. The current generation for the campus microgrid includes the steam turbines and the solar panels that will be placed on the roof of IRIC. This project will expand the microgrid further to include a utility scale solar PV array of approximately 2.0 MW in size. With these sources of generation connected into a microgrid, we will be able to keep critical infrastructure on campus running in the event of the grid going down.

Problem Definition

 * Microgrid should be able to sectionalize different portions of the grid based on prioritization, load demand, and available generation
 * Determine the type and location of equipment needed to expand the microgrid
 * Analyze microgrid performance associated with the peak energy available from sources accounting for seasonal changes in capacity ​
 * Conduct an economic analysis

Design Goals
1. Prioritizing and assessing which loads on campus can/should be included in the microgrid with the given capacity

We will be using the load shedding algorithm from the previous senior design team, the Campus Facilities Load Shedding Design.

2. Relays, switches, and controls will be tactfully integrated to ensure load-shedding capabilities

3. Analyzing the microgrid performance with different types of energy sources​ (Account for seasonal changes and their effects on energy efficiency​)

4. Conduct an economic analysis of expanding the microgrid​

=Microgrid Design=

Design Considerations

 * We need to include the PV solar array from the Solar Backup Power Generation senior design team.
 * The North Chiller Plant and the LLCs are going to be added to the microgrid because of excess output power from the Steam Plant turbines


 * The current setup of the microgrid includes the UI Steam Plant, McClure, CNR, GJL, and BEL.
 * We will need to include the IRIC, LLCs, North Chiller Plant, and additional buildings into the microgrid
 * The current generation in consideration for the microgrid includes the UI Steam turbines and the solar panels to be placed on the roof of the IRIC.
 * We will need to include the Solar Backup Power Generation's PV array and additional backup generators at certain locations.

Specifications
We will be using SEL equipment to implement an efficient system to allocate the power provided from the UI Steam Plant, the planned solar array, and backup generators during any blackout from the Avista grid. The SEL equipment provides various different functions that will be helpful in this project, such as automatic bus synchronization, trip commands to remotely control breakers and many more. We will be expanding the current microgrid setup by including more SEL-735s into the current test bed.

The current setup includes the following:

SEL-735: This will be used to simulate the load characteristics of buildings on campus

SEL-751: This will be used to simulate the tie relays to the Avista grid

SEL-3530 Real-time Automation Controller: This will be used to control all of the relays and use an inputted algorithm to accomplish load shedding

=Validation=

=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=

Project Schedule



Meeting Minutes



Presentations



Client Interview