Integration of Autonomous Renewable Energy Generation Systems with Different Topologies in a Smart Grid Cluster to Enhance Performance in Usual Operational Situations
Abstract
Renewable Energy Systems (RES) using resources found in loco might be an attractive solution to address the needs for electrification in many communities that are unlikely to be supplied by the interconnected grid. Though the design of isolated systems using intermittent renewable sources is discussed extensively, little attention has been given to the integration of autonomous RES for joint operation. The integration allows increased flexibility and modularity, which are important characteristics to improve the overall robustness of the system and tackle unpredicted adversities. This paper presents evaluations and conclusions about AREGS integration. The methodology is based on tests on a set of four Autonomous Renewable Energy Generation Systems (AREGS) operating integrated in a cluster in the Laboratório de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos (LSF) of the Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, which allows the evaluation of several topologies and different operational scenarios; and also computer simulations for the extension and extrapolation of the evaluated scenarios.