The Benefits of a Single Seamless Digital Platform to Provide Simulation, Operation, Audit and Optimisation of Microgrids
The life-cycle of a microgrid has four distinct phases: 1. Designing the microgrid that is appropriate to the needs of the community, the operator, the developer and the financiers.
2. Installation and commissioning.
3. Production operations of the microgrid including initial and continuous auditing of the 'as-built' microgrid to confirm how well its meets the design objectives set
4. Optimising the operation of the microgrid according to appropriate policies, such as, maximising the use of renewables, or minimising costs, or other criteria from time to time.
It is valuable if the same digital platform can be used, in a seamless way, across all of these phases of the microgrid's life; valuable learning and insights can be preserved through all the phases. The smart microgrid controller also needs to be adaptable, scalable, resilient and affordable, so that it remains capable of fulfilling the needs of the community as their needs change and expand.
The aim of most microgrids is to enable the community to expand economic activities in sustainable ways, especially to enable women and young people to engage in new economic activities, so substantial change and growth is to be expected and encouraged.
Key Takeaways:
- It is valuable if the same platform can be used for simulation, operation, audit and optimisation of the microgrid, so that the information and insights from each phase can be seamlessly carried through to the next phase of the microgrid.
- A smart microgrid controller needs to be adaptable, scalable, resilient and affordable, so that it can satisfy the changing needs of the community, as the microgrid enables the economic growth of the community.
- To maximise performance of a microgrid it is important to integrate data from generators, storage and consumers, and present it clearly to the managers of the installation - you can't manage what you don't measure.
- Using integrated data from generators, storage and consumers, one can create interventions that reduce the LCOE, which can maximise the productive uses of renewable generation that lead to sustainable economic development for the community.
John Zamick
Founder & CEO
Smarter Microgrid
John has combined successful careers in Computing & Data Communications and in Renewable Energy. This combination serves very well the intersection of both in the domain of smart renewable microgrids. He is also a successful entrepreneur, having started, developed and sold a Data Communications company to Cisco, prior to beginning his career in renewable energy, where he financed and developed renewable generation sites across the UK.
As Founder & CEO at Smarter Microgrid, he leads an expert team which enables data from generators, storage and consumers across a microgrid to be integrated and presented to its management, leading to improved productive use and economic development.
Founder & CEO
Smarter Microgrid
John has combined successful careers in Computing & Data Communications and in Renewable Energy. This combination serves very well the intersection of both in the domain of smart renewable microgrids. He is also a successful entrepreneur, having started, developed and sold a Data Communications company to Cisco, prior to beginning his career in renewable energy, where he financed and developed renewable generation sites across the UK.
As Founder & CEO at Smarter Microgrid, he leads an expert team which enables data from generators, storage and consumers across a microgrid to be integrated and presented to its management, leading to improved productive use and economic development.