Safety Between Different Energy Systems
The proposal emphasizes integrating solar PV with thermal storage in a smart grid architecture. It is fundamentally important that all operations are handled with the utmost care so that power can be transmitted between various systems without disturbances to users.
- No interruptions in grid communication and making sure all devices are responding correctly.
- Thermal safety dissconnect for that would be installed on the implemented storage tank.
- Cybersecurity for communication links between the microcontrollers and sensors (While not a focus of the capstone it is important to make sure our microgrid can not be hacked or corrupted).
Operating within well-established IEEE standards ensures that our system can interconnect with the utility grid while maintaining power quality and stability.
IEEE Standards
These Standards are published in IEEE and creates a common approach that all electrical engineers can follow when creating and diagnosing equipment in electrical systems. These standards allow the capstone to design new systems to implement while also maintaining proper interconnect with the grid so that stable and unadulterated power is delivered to the customer without incurring extra fees from the utility companies.
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IEEE 519 – Harmonic Control in Electric Power Systems
Limits harmonic distortion introduced by inverters and nonlinear loads so that campus equipment is not damaged and the utility grid remains stable. These distoritons can lead to major economical impacts if not maintained effectivly. This is because distortions make eletrical devices perform worse since they can not stablize themselves thus creating more reactive power in the grid. -
IEEE 1547 – Interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources
Defines how distributed resources like PV arrays and storage systems must behave when connected to a larger power system, including anti-islanding and protection requirements. -
IEEE 2030.5 – Smart Energy Profile Application Protocol
Specifies communication protocols that can be used for demand response, distributed energy resource management, and other smart grid functions. Mostly prioritizing rapid disconnects from the grid and renewable energy production to stablize rapid voltage spikes or drops. -
IEEE 2030.7 – Specification of Microgrid Controllers
Provides high-level requirements for microgrid controllers responsible for coordinating the behavior of microgrid technology. This regulation ensures that microcontrollers will shut systems down or enable them when needed. -
IEEE C37.118.1 – Synchrophasor Measurements
Guides the use of phasor measurement units (PMUs) for monitoring voltage and current waveforms in real time for improved harmonic distortion. This is very important to regulate when looking at at hybrid systems and microgrids since these can destabilize the grid.
Operational Safeguards & Renewable Integration
Beyond standards, the design includes specific operational safeguards, especially for renewable and storage components:
- Limits on charge and discharge rates for both TES.
- Installing thermocouples in the substrate to prevent overheating and losing kinetic energy from a phase transistion.
- Automated shutdown procedures from the inverter to prevent damage to the thermal energy storage system.
By ensuring these precautionaries exist will guarantee their will not be any damages to the thermal energy unit and to allow it to be operated autonomously.
