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. Expanding the current microgrid design to encompass more critical loads on campus in the case of an outage from Avista

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 are including 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
 * We are taking advantage of the backup generators within buildings
 * The current setup of the microgrid includes the UI Steam Plant, McClure, CNR, GJL, and BEL.
 * 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

 * Generation for use:
 * UI Steam Plant Turbines
 * IRIC Solar Array
 * Solar Backup Power Generation Array
 * Backup Generators
 * Loads to consider:
 * Janssen Engineering Building
 * Engineering Physics Building
 * LLC and North Campus Chiller Plant
 * Wells
 * IRIC

Communication
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

RTAC Algorithm
The following is the algorithm for the RTAC from above. We are building upon the previous senior design team's algorithm. This figure shows the inputs and outputs from the RTAC that is controlling everyhing. This controller would be centrally located at the Steam Plant so as to be close to a major source of generation. The controller will take information from the relays on the system and issue the appropriate commands to operate the microgrid system. The utility ties will communicate their breaker status to the RTAC and the power flow into the system. The relays will communicate the real and reactive power generation and also the frequency. The critical and non-critical buildings will receive open/close commands from the RTAC.

=Validation=

=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=

Project Schedule

Meeting Minutes



Presentations