The Cyprus Nanogrid Pilot: The UCY nanogrid solution

The UCY will test the functioning of a nanogrid (see definition below). The main goal is to model commercial and residential loads. Its smart meters will be able to measure consumption and generation parameters (such as active power, reactive power, voltage, current etc.) with high precision and accuracy. Through the nanogrid operation, FOSS research center aspires to provide a living-lab environment for the development, validation and qualification of innovative Smart Grid technologies and architectures.

The UCY’s nanogrid solution has been designed taking into consideration the special technical requirements and the purchase of equipment that is necessary for the implementation of the project’s goals. To facilitate minimum level of measuring and analysis capability, the following equipment/ apparatus, loads, sensors and central software management system will be installed through PEGASUS or other running projects within the university:

• Three 3-phase smart meters with associated Current Transformers (CTs), wiring and auxiliary equipment. The smart meters are able to measure, calculate and display the main electrical parameters for the 3-phase systems (balanced or unbalanced).
• Electrical load to facilitate alternative load capabilities and extend the investigation possibilities of the nanogrid set up. The electrical load has already been acquired and its specifications are the following: Chroma 63800 Programmable AC & DC Electronic Load (3600W). It is designed for testing Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Off-Grid Inverters, AC sources and other power devices such as switches, circuit breakers, fuses and connectors. The Programmable load can simulate load conditions under high crest factor and varying power factors with real time compensation even when the voltage waveform is distorted. This special feature provides real world simulation capability and prevents over-stressing, which allows to have reliable and unbiased test results.
• A 10 kWhr storage system with an associated energy management system that will be coordinated with the local PV systems of approximate capacity of 35 kWp.
• An EV charging/discharging station that will be installed within the university campus along with a battery storage at the installation point of the EV station, that will perform the discharging operation of the EV station.
• Central software management system with data collection infrastructure, analysis platform and reporting capabilities. This management system will sit at a higher level in the university Microgrid and will be able to offer services to the nanogrid.

What is a nanogrid?
Nanogrids are small microgrids, typically serving a single building or even a single load. We can define a nanogrid as a small electrical domain which is connected to the grid, is no greater than 100 kW and is limited to a single building structure. This electrical domain represents devices, such as DG (Distributed Generation), storage, EVs (electric vehicles), and smart loads, and is capable of islanding and/or energy self-sufficiency through some level of intelligent DER [distributed energy resources] management or controls.

Learn more about the PEGASUS project and its tests on microgrids HERE