Development of Smart Grid System for Small Research Complex in Texas. Part 1: Yearly Demand/Supply Profile and Percentage Contribution of Renewables

This project attempts to develop a smart grid system at the Agricultural Engineering Research Laboratory (AERL) of Texas A&M University. The laboratory housed three building complexes as follows: (a) research lab offices (Hobgood building), (b) power and machinery laboratories (P&M building), and (c) machine shop (BAEN shop). Part 1 of the study is the establishment and evaluation of overall load demand and supply by renewables. The Bioenergy Testing and Analysis Laboratory (Beta Lab) has developed a renewable energy power generation system at the complex that is being net metered to the building. The overall goal is to make this complex independent of the grid via the use of 100% renewable power. Currently installed are 3kW solar pV system, 1 kW wind power, 20 kW biodiesel plant and the 30 kW gasification for power facility. It was discovered that the overall complex only uses an average of 33.6 kW of power each year and hence, the demonstration for 100% renewable power was envisioned. This initial write up addresses the demand and supply profile to evaluate what improvements are needed to satisfy 100% use of renewable power in the near future and demonstrate smart or micro-grid systems. Initial study showed that while the installed renewable power (54 kW) is much greater than the average power demand (33.6 kW), there are numerous times in the year where peak power exceeds the total installed capacity. Hence, improvements must be made to address the deficit in power needs during peak hours. The initial study recommended the installation of 4-5 kW of renewable power from either solar or wind power to serve as parasitic load. The peak load happens during work hours where sun and wind power are usually available. In addition, an additional 10 kW backup battery storage system is necessary since most peak demands are small in nature and would occur only for a few hours