A resilient microgrid designed for large buildings or energy communities can ensure the supply of electricity to critical loads during extreme or catastrophic events, where there is a failure of the public electric grid, according to a statement by the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Coimbra (FCTUC).
During the blackout on Monday, this technology, located at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (DEEC) at the FCTUC, “faced its trial by fire in real conditions, successfully providing electricity to the building’s critical loads and functioning independently of the public grid.”
“Microgrids are a technology that allows for an independent electrical system from the public grid within a specific and defined geographical area, such as a building, neighborhood, or small locality,” explained Alexandre Matias Correia, a student in Electrical Engineering at the Institute of Systems and Robotics (ISR) at the FCTUC.
According to the researcher, microgrids are used to supply electricity in remote areas where infrastructure is weak or non-existent, to optimize energy efficiency, costs, and the integration of renewable energy, and, in extreme cases, to ensure the supply of electricity to customers when everything else fails.
This microgrid focuses on resilience and is precisely designed to supply electricity to critical loads (replacing diesel emergency generators) for prolonged periods (up to 72 hours).
To achieve this, it has installed a dedicated photovoltaic system, two battery systems, specialized power equipment for grid management and synchronization, and bidirectional charging for electric vehicles.
According to the FCTUC student, “this last system allows the local grid to be powered through energy stored in electric vehicles, which enables further extension of the electricity supply and provides power in places where infrastructure is non-existent or has been damaged.”
Additionally, the microgrid also has a regenerative capability, using photovoltaic panels and a load management system to recharge batteries during the day, further extending the supply to critical loads.
The resilient microgrid has already been used as a pilot prototype for other research and teaching projects in Electrical Engineering.
A widespread power outage affected Portugal and Spain on Monday from 11:30 am, with no explanation from the authorities.
Airports were closed, transportation and traffic congestion occurred in major cities, and fuel shortages were among the consequences of the “blackout.”
The electricity distribution network operator E-Redes assured on Tuesday morning that service was already fully restored and normalized.
