software solution for a renewable energy microgrid emulator

The paper presents a software solution and communication network used to implement and test management algorithms for different microgrid configurations. The results obtained are represented in a Graphical User Interface (GUI). Data is transferred between the devices and a central processing unit that has a communication protocol interpreter implemented using an RS-485 network. After being interpreted, the raw data containing useful information for the management algorithm is converted in numerical or Boolean values. These values are stored and used by the management algorithms implemented for cost optimization. A microgrid emulator is used for the proof of concept. The software solution and communication network together with the data interpreter can be easily used for other microgrid structures with or without modifications, depending on the number and types of equipment used. In the presented case the microgrid management control algorithm tries to keep the state of charge of the batteries between two values by using efficiently the available resources depicted by: solar energy, geothermal energy, and energy obtained from biomass. The microgrid setup has emulators for the geothermal and biomass generators and a photovoltaic system with storage capability and two inverters, a grid forming capable and a grid follower.