21.01.2021
Microgrid Research Laboratory Wieselburg
At the Wieselburg Technology Park, the K1 Competence Center Bioneergy and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) operates an energy microgrid for research purposes in a cooperation between the technology and research center and the municipalities of Wieselburg Stadt and Land.
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BEST - Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH
Through the scientific support of the locally based K1 Competence Center BEST and the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt – Campus Wieselburg, a unique research infrastructure is continuously being developed. This enables the optimization of electricity, heating, and cooling technologies in a real-world environment. The research results and the implementation of optimization algorithms, standardized communication methods, and IT infrastructures can supplement existing energy supply systems, relieve grid congestion, and reduce the need for costly grid expansion. Microgrids will thus provide the opportunity to utilize renewable energy resources more efficiently in the future.
Microgrids are small, local energy networks (electricity, heat, and cooling) that supply households and businesses with energy. They can independently meet their energy needs from renewable energy sources or other energy forms, such as biomass, hydropower, wind turbines, or combined heat and power (CHP). Microgrids can be individually controlled. They calculate consumption and can shift energy to where it is needed, or conversely, reduce energy consumption. This increases system efficiency, reduces losses, and improves the integration of volatile energy sources like photovoltaics and wind power. Furthermore, they have the advantage of being able to decouple from the main grid and continue producing electricity, heat, and cooling for connected buildings or businesses (for example, regions frequently affected by power outages due to severe weather). Microgrids can also be beneficial for local energy providers, as they can offer services to them. For example, a microgrid can feed biogas into the natural gas network, thus providing renewable energy. Another option is to provide balancing power to reduce grid congestion.
a) Scientific planning: The first objective for the research laboratory was to plan the technological expansions and determine the optimal capacities for, e.g., photovoltaics, electrical storage, and EV charging stations for the various applications and subsequent laboratory tests. Even the conceptualization of the research laboratory presents a complex research challenge because the planning of buildings with holistic optimization of all energy systems and building elements has never been undertaken before.
b) Measurement Infrastructure and Commissioning of the Microgrid Lab: The second objective is to finalize and commission the microgrid research lab for the existing technologies (wood chip boiler and absorption chiller at the Wieselburg Technology Center) and the newly planned implementations of decentralized heating, cooling, and electricity technologies (PV system on the fire station roof, battery storage, EV charging stations). This includes implementing a measurement infrastructure and a communication network to record real-world load profiles and performance data from the generation units.
c) Data Collection, Test Cycles, Algorithm Adaptation: The third objective is to further develop the theoretical models based on data collected within this project. The practical applicability of the theoretical algorithms will be evaluated within the microgrid research lab.
d) Open access laboratory, product development and dissemination: The fourth objective is to make the methodology and know-how on microgrids accessible to service providers and developers of system components (for example: microgrid controllers, energy management systems, charge controllers,…).
Installation of decentralized technologies and intelligent controller algorithms
Communication infrastructure
Scientific publications
Marketable products and services
Functional test lab for microgrids