Every microgrid—and customer—has different needs. A microgrid controller must provide complex functions throughout the system with user-friendly engineering tools. It functions as an automation system building kit with two parts: hardware platform and software building kit. Hardware is scalable with built-in redundancies, with functions that can be used in a wide range of Industrial PCs or controllers in a very flexible and efficient way. Hardware components provide calculation power, communication and I/O. A software building kit brings these two worlds together to intelligently dispatch multiple assets to financially optimize the system. Using analytics and artificial intelligence, hardware and software work in tandem as a powerful automation and control solution that is not limited to predefined controller devices, but is customized to a customer’s exact specifications.
Operational modes
Microgrid design varies depending on whether the microgrid is connected to the main grid in grid parallel mode or isolated from the grid in island mode. In any case, a microgrid control system ensures the most reliable, economical and environmentally responsible operation possible.
Grid parallel mode
There is growing interest from on-grid energy consumers (industry, service providers and municipal services) in the development of partial or complete self-supply. The motivating factors for these customers are: independence from nationwide network providers, security of supply, cost optimization, and a “green” image.