Innovative Smart Mini-Grid based Off-Grid

Power Solutions for enhancing Energy

Security in Rural and Urban Scenario
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is an independent, not-for-profit research organization focused on energy, environment and sustainable development
Mukesh Gujar, Alekhya Datta, Parimita Mohanty


TERI The Energy and Resources Institute, Darbari Seth Block, India
Habitat Centre (IHC) Complex Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003, India

Vision:

We will work towards global sustainable development, creating innovative solutions for a
better tomorrow

Mission:

Tackle issues of concern to Indian society and the world at large and develop innovative
and cost effective solutions.

Enhance networking for sustainable interventions.

Realize potential for national and international leadership as a knowledge based agent of
change in the fields of energy, environment, other natural resources and sustainable
development.

Inspire and reach out to diverse stakeholders for realizing a shared vision of global
sustainable development.
A Smart Mini Grid System is a subset of Smart Electric Grid and it is generally defined
as an intelligent electricity distribution network operating at or below 11kV, providing
electricity to a community;

It is supplied by a diverse range of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) which includes
small, conventional generators such as diesel gensets combined with a range of
renewable generators such as micro-hydro power plants, wind turbines, biomass and
solar photo-voltaic etc.

Smart Mini Grid can either be connected to the conventional utility grid or be isolated
and provide electricity to a localized load only;

Smart Mini Grid is an application of digital information and communication
technology (ICT) and uses advanced sensing, communication and control technologies
to optimize electrical power generation and delivery and ultimately its end-use within
the domain of the micro-grids;

Smart Mini Grid allows dynamic communication and balancing of the electrical
network, thus minimizing losses and increasing the stability of the grid.
With the depleting energy resources, enhancing energy-security (to avoid power
blackouts) and energy-access, particularly in emerging economies is one of the major
challenges that one has to deal with.

In addition to managing the existing energy resources, generating power effectively and
intelligently is an equally important agenda at the national level in India.

Although Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) need additional infrastructure and
investment to connect them to the grid, these technologies eliminate the need for an
expensive transmission system and reduce transmission and distribution (T&D) losses.
Maximum utilization of the renewable energy resources with a lower installed
renewable energy capacity and smaller batteries can be ensured by coordinating the
energy demands with the electricity production.

Use of any fossil fuel generation can be minimized through the more efficient control
of energy loads

Power quality can be improved

Various initiatives taken by the nodal ministries (MoP, MNRE) of Government of India
such as: R-APDRP, Smart Grid, ISGTF, ISGF, Micro-Grids, Mini Grids etc.

Animated Photo of Location:
1. 3.2 kW Wind Generator
2. 10.5 kWp Solar PV
3. 1.0kWp Thin-film PV
4. 600 Ah, 48 V Battery Bank
5. 2.0 kWp Solar PV
6. 100 kW Biomass Gasifier
7. Diesel Generator
10.5kWp Solar Photovoltaic (Building Integrated Crystalline
silicon based solar module) system installed on the roof of the
North Block of the TERI Retreat;

2kWp Solar Photovoltaic (Crystalline silicon based solar
module) system installed on the roof of the Biomass Gasifier
building;

1kWp Thin-film based Solar Photovoltaic system on the roof
of the South Block of the TERI Retreat;

3.3kW Wind Turbine Generator (WTG);

100kW Biomass Gasifier (woody) system in the Biomass
Gasifier building;

Battery Bank of 48V, 600Ah for energy storage and,

Diesel Gensets/Utility Grid.
S.No. Parameters ( General Specification) Specification
1 Make
Unitron Energy System
Private ltd.
2 Model No. UE33
3 Rated Output 3300 watt
4 Wind speed 10.5 m/s
5 Peak output 3650 Watt
6 Rotor Diameter 4.65 m
7 Unit weight 77 kg
8 Monthly kWh@10 352 kWh
9 Monthly kWh@12 570 kWh
10 Cut in wind speed 2.7 m/s
11 Tower Top Weight 77 kg
12 Lateral Thrust 1400 nts
13 Number of Blades 3
14 Type of generator
Permanent Magnet
Induction Generator
Sl.No. AC output (users) Sunny Island 5048
1 Nominal AC voltage (adjustable) 230 V (202 V 253 V).
2 Nominal frequency (adjustable) 50 Hz / 60 Hz (45 Hz 65 Hz)
3 Continuous AC power at 25 C / 45 C 5000 W / 4000 W
4 AC output power at 25 C for 30 min / 1 min / 5 s 6500 W / 8400 W / 12000 W
5 Nominal AC current / Max. AC current (peak) 21.7 A / 120 A for 60 ms
6 Total harmonic distortion / phase shift (cos ) < 3 % / 1 to +1
AC input (generator or grid)
7 Input voltage (range) 230 V (172.5 V 264.5 V)
8 Input frequency (range) 50 Hz / 60 Hz (40 Hz 70 Hz)
9 Max. input current (adjustable) / Max. input power 56 A (0 A 56 A) / 12.8 kW
Efficiency / Operating consumption
11 Max. efficiency 95%
12 Own consumption with no load / standby 25 W / 4 W
13 Protection devices
14 DC reverse polarity / DC fuse yes / yes
15 AC short-circuit / AC overload yes / yes
16 Over temperature / excessive battery discharge yes / yes
Features / Function
17 3-phase systems / parallel connection yes / yes
18 State of charge calculation / Full- / Equalization chrg yes / yes / yes
19 Integrated soft start / Generator support yes / yes
Battery DC input
20 Battery voltage (range) 48 V (41 V 63 V)
21
Max. battery charging current / continuous charging current at
25 C 120 A / 100 A
22 Battery type / battery capacity (range) Lead acid, NiCd / 100 10,000 Ah
Sl.No. Input (DC) Sunny Mini Central 8000TL
1 Max. DC power 8250 W
2 Max. DC voltage 700 V
3 PV-voltage range, MPPT 333 V 500 V
4 Max. input current 25 A
5 Number of MPP trackers 1
6 Max. number of strings (parallel) 4
Output AC
7 Nominal AC output 8000 W
8 Max. AC power 8000 W
9 Max. output current 35 A
10 Nominal AC voltage / range 220 V 240 V / 180 V 260 V
11 AC grid frequency (self-adjusting) / range 50 Hz / 60 Hz / 4.5 Hz
12 Phase shift (cos ) 1
13 AC connection / power balancing single-phase / yes
Efficiency
14 Max. efficiency 98.0 %
Protection devices
15 DC reverse polarity protection yes
16 ESS DC load-disconnecting switch yes
17 AC short-circuit protection yes
18 Ground fault monitoring yes
19 Grid monitoring (SMA Grid Guard) yes
20
Integrated all-pole sensitive leakage current
monitoring unit yes
Based on the load profile and availability of resources loads in RETREAT building has
been divided in to three categories :

Essential Loads: These are those loads which need to operate in all conditions. In
case there is an energy deficit, Intelligent Dispatch Controller (IDC) needs to
prioritize the loads and in such conditions the loads categorized under essential
would be on the top of priority.

Non-essential Loads: These are those loads which are low on the priority list and
can be disconnected in case of energy crunch

Day Time Load: these are those loads which certainly operate in day time. This
classification has been done with to optimally utilize the solar energy. Battery
bank has been provided to store extra energy and at the other time supplement
the day time loads in case solar alone is not able to meet the requirements.

Further day Time Load has been classified in Most Essential and Least Essential to
meet the worst power condition when only battery is there to supply the load and that
too for a long time.

Among other salient features, the resource optimization and the intelligent load
management are the most attractive features of Smart Mini-Grid (SMG) system which
is achieved through central controller which smoothly manages different resources to
meet the load.

Region-I, IV: During this time interval,
conventional resources supply to the load
Region-II: In this time interval no sooner PV
starts generating power the controller smoothly
adjusts the power output from the conventional
resources to maximize the generation from PV.
Whenever load is more than PV generation
controller smoothly taps the deficit power from
conventional resource or battery.
Region-III: In the similar manner when
biomass gasifier started generating the power,
controller again adjusted the power from
different resources to optimally utilize them
without disrupting the supply.

Integration of multiple DERs, ensuring maximum utilization of renewable energy
sources;

Resource and load profiling, controlling and forecasting;

Centralized control (Intelligent Smart Dispatch Controller) for resource optimization
and demand management;

Load prioritization (total loads have been classified into critical, essential and non-
essential loads);

Integrated, high-speed, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based digital
communication using NI LabVIEW (a software platform for acquiring data, sending
and receiving controls) platform;

Real-time data acquisition and monitoring of several electrical, weather and physical
parameters through installed sensors;

Minimized outages and fast response to network disturbances through automatic
connect/disconnect of system components.
#
SMA Solar Technology: http://www.sma.de/en/
GUI has been developed in NI-LabVIEW software , it logs the data of all
the parameter of the smart mini grid.
Data collected from the various data nodes are transmitted via Ethernet using Modbus
Protocol and GSM modem using TCP/IP.
Foster demand side management and demand side response;

Reduce power outages, increasing reliability, efficiency and safety of the
grid;

Reduce carbon footprint and minimize fossil fuel consumption;

Provide better autonomy to customers to manage their electricity needs.

Allows distributed power generation to be coupled with the main grids
and provide a two way power flow ( to import or export of power
depending upon the requirements)

Reduction of the distribution losses

Reduction in peak demand and energy consumption by providing real
time assessment of power consumptions.

Industrial and commercial complexes like shopping malls, hotels, hospitals
etc;

Residential complexes such as apartments, townships;

Educational institutions;

Off-grid rural and peri-urban locations;

Telecom base-stations.
Smart Mini Grid Design Consultancy
for L&T ECC Kanchipuram campus
Innovating to bring clean energy for livelihood generation in India' is one of the
projects under the TERI-Framework Funding for Institutional Cooperation on
Energy and Climate Change' signed between the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (NFA) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

Under NFA, TERI has selected few off-grid sites in some of the district of Orissa.
One of the sites is Patapolasahi which is in Choudwar district of Orissa.
Geographic info for this site: latitude 20.6218N, longitude 85.84542E (in decimal
degree) and average daily annual global radiation: 5.30 kWh/m2

Designing, testing, and customization of clean energy technologies (e.g. solar,
wind, battery chargers, and hybrids) for various livelihood generation activities
(such as lighting, communication, drinking water, health services etc.)

Demonstrating the above technologies and assessing the impact on livelihood
activities in select locations and creating local technical capabilities for their
servicing. This is aimed at a comparative performance assessment of the various
technologies at different locations and different applications.
Solar Photovoltaic
modules installed at
the Roof top
Plant components:
Hybrid inverter, PV
inverter , charge
controller and Battery
bank
S.No Components Manufactures Description
1 Solar Photovoltaic
Modules
Sharp 80Wp Total Capacity 8kWp
2 Battery Bank Exide Tubular 12V, 150Ah Total 48V, 300 Ah
3 Hybrid Inverter SMA SI 5048U Hybrid inverter with inbuilt
battery management system
Power frequency shift control
4 PV Inverter SMA SMC 8000TL Connected directly with
7.68kWp solar modules
5 Sunny WebBox SMA For monitoring the real time
performance of PV plant
6 Load Shedding Contactor C&S 48V, 40A To prevent the battery from
drainage
7 Charge Controller 80A, 48V 320Wp is connected directly to
CC to charge the battery
S.No Facility Description
1 Organic Manure Mixture 750W, 230VAC, 50Hz
2 Refrigerator 205L Horizontal Cooler,
230V AC, 50Hz, 500W
3 Wet grinder 1.5kW, 230V, 50Hz,
4 Bottle Filler 500W
5 Water purifier cum filter 120W, 230V AC, 50Hz,
50LPH storage
PV Power Output
PV Voltage
PV current
S.No Components Rating Total Cost (INR)
1 Solar Photovoltaic
Modules
8kWp
2 Battery Bank 48V, 300 Ah
3 Hybrid Inverter
(SMA SI 5048U)
5kVA
4 PV Inverter (SMA
SMC 8000TL)
8kVA
5 Sunny WebBox
(SMA)
6 Charge Controller 80A, 48V
Total Cost 19, 26,800
Acknowledgement:

The authors gratefully acknowledge funding support received for a
Program of activities under the Framework Agreement between
the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and The Energy
& Resources Institute (TERI) through Royal Norwegian Embassy
and Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance,
Government of India.
1. National Instrument LabVIEW software (http://www.ni.com/labview)
2. National Instrument Rugged and Reconfigurable Control and Monitoring System (http://www.ni.com/compactrio/)
3. Retreat is a residential, multi facility complex equipped with modern facilities including conference halls, official and residential premises, laboratories and
electricity demand of the complex varies quite widely depending upon the season, occupancy level of the residential premises, the number of conferences being
held and several other factors.
4. Robert H. Lasseter, PAOLO PIAGI ,Microgrid: A Conceptual Solution, PESC04 Aachen, Germany 20-25 June 2004
5. Md Razibul Islam, Hossam A. Gabbar ,"Study of Micro Grid Safety & Protection Strategies withControl System Infrastructures ",Smart Grid and Renewable
Energy, 2012, 3, 1-9
6. ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2006-2008 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN)
7. S. S. Murthy, Life Senior Member, IEEE, Micro- Grid Integration with Renewable Energy in Indian Perspective.
8. First Year Progress Report by India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF), December 2012.
9. Report on India Smart Grid Day by AF Mercados Energy Markets India Pvt. Ltd. (AF Mercados EMI) and India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF), December 2012.
10. "Microgrids_The_BRICS_Opportunity_July_2012_Smart_Grid_Insights_Zpryme_Research(http://smartgridresearch.org/wp content/uploads/sgi_reports"
11. Retreat is a residential, multi facility complex equipped with modern facilities including conference halls, official and residential premises, laboratories and
electricity demand of the complex varies quite widely depending upon the season, occupancy level of the residential premises, the number of conferences being
held and several other factors.
12. National Instrument LabVIEW software (http://www.ni.com/labview)
13. National Instrument Rugged and Reconfigurable Control and Monitoring System (http://www.ni.com/compactrio/)
14. National Instrumentfield program gated array(FPGA),( http://www.ni.com/labview/fpga/)
15. H.-M. Kim, T. Kinoshita, Y. Lim, Talmudic Approach to Load Shedding of Islanded Microgrid Operation Based on Multiagent System, Journal of Electrical
Engineering & Technology, Vol.6, No.2, pp.284-292, 2011.
16. A. Misra, H. Schulzrinne, Policy-driven distributed and collaborative demand response in multi-domain commercial buildings, Proceedings of the 1st
International Conference on Energy-Efficient Computing and Networking (e-Energy 10), pp.119-122, 2010.
17. R.H. Lasseter, The role of distributed energy resources in future electric power systems, Energy Systems Seminar, March 2006.
18. C.M. Colson, M.H. Nehrir, A review of challenges to real-time power management of micro-girds, presented at Power & Energy Society General Meeting,
Calgary, AB, Canada, July 2009
19. R.H. Lassseter, Smart Distribution: Coupled Microgrids, Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol.99, Issue 6, pp. 1074-1082, June 2011.
20. F. Katiraei, M. R. Iravani, Power management strategies for a microgrid with multiple distributed generation units, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol.
21, Issue 4, pp. 1821-1831, Nov. 2006.
21. N. Hatziargyriou, H. Asano, R. Iravani, C. Marnay, Microgrids: an overview of ongoing research development and demonstration projects, IEEE Power &
Energy, 2007. Available: http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/emp/reports/62937.pdf
References:
Thanks for the attention !!!
Mukesh Gujar, Research Associate ,TERI
Email-mukesh.gujar@teri.res.in