Energy distribution and management
The integration of microgrids and smart buildings represents an evolutionary leap in the way energy is managed and distributed. Against a backdrop of growing pressure on the global electricity infrastructure and increasingly ambitious decarbonisation targets, this combination makes for a more resilient, efficient and autonomous energy system. The ability to operate independently of the central grid allows these buildings to maintain their operations in the event of a main power grid failure, while optimising consumption and incorporating renewable sources.
What is a Microgrid and How Does it Work?
A microgrid is a decentralised, locally-controlled electricity network capable of operating connected to the public grid or in isolation (island mode). This structure allows granular control over electricity production and consumption, making it ideal for smart buildings looking for energy efficiency and security of supply.
Essential Elements of a Microgrid
- Distributed Generation: Incorporation of local renewable sources (solar photovoltaic, wind, biomass) to reduce dependence on the public grid.
- Energy Storage: Use of stationary lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries, flywheels and supercapacitors to ensure a stable supply of electricity.
- Advanced Management Systems: Digital control using artificial intelligence and machine learning, predicting consumption patterns and adjusting energy production in real time.
The technology behind microgrids is based on hierarchical energy distribution and adaptive load management, which allows buildings to balance their energy supply in an optimised way.
The Synergy between Microgrids and Smart Buildings
Energy automation is one of the pillars of microgrid architecture, allowing smart buildings to function as autonomous energy units. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), buildings equipped with advanced energy management systems can reduce their consumption by up to 30 per cent, especially when they combine energy self-production with demand response algorithms.
The main benefits of this integration include:
- Operational Resilience: Ability to maintain operations even during power grid failures.
- Cost reduction: Buildings operating on microgrids can reduce their electricity costs by 25% to 50%, depending on the optimisation of consumption and the integration of storage.
- Decarbonisation: The incorporation of distributed renewable energy systems can lead to a reduction of up to 40% in CO₂ emissions.
Case Studies and Real Applications
University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
UCSD’s microgrid provides 85 per cent of the campus’s electricity, saving millions of dollars annually. The infrastructure includes 30 MW of cogeneration, 2.8 MW of fuel cells and 2.3 MW of photovoltaic solar energy. It also uses a 4 million gallon thermal storage system, allowing it to stabilise the grid and reduce consumption peaks. Source
Brooklyn Microgrid, New York
This pioneering project allows solar energy to be exchanged between neighbours, using blockchain technology to record energy transactions in real time. Participants who produce surplus electricity can sell it directly to other consumers, reducing costs and increasing the efficiency of the local grid. Source
Siemens Campus, Germany
The Siemens campus in Erlangen operates with a microgrid made up of solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage and intelligent energy control, reducing dependence on the public grid by 60% and optimising energy consumption with load forecasting algorithms. Source
The Challenges of Implementing Microgrids in Buildings
- High Installation Costs: Implementing microgrids still requires significant investment, especially for the installation of stationary batteries and advanced controllers.
- Regulations and Legal Barriers: Many countries still lack adequate regulations for distributed networks, limiting the implementation of microgrids in the private sector.
- Complex Integration: Older buildings may require additional infrastructure to support connectivity between different energy sources and storage systems.
Global Targets for Microgrids and Smart Buildings
The adoption of microgrids and smart buildings is in line with international targets for energy transition, namely:
- A 55 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030 (National Energy and Climate Plan).
- Achieve 80 per cent renewable electricity by 2026 (Portugal).
- Electrification of 60 per cent of total building consumption by 2040 (International Renewable Energy Agency).
Conclusion
The integration of microgrids into smart buildings represents a fundamental advance for energy autonomy, efficiency and sustainability. With the evolution of storage and digital control systems, dependence on the conventional electricity grid is likely to decrease significantly, enabling buildings to generate, store and distribute their own electricity.
Given the rapid technological evolution and the challenges posed by rising energy demand, are we heading towards a future where buildings will operate completely independently of traditional electricity grids?
Scientific references
1. International Energy Agency. Digitalisation and energy efficiency in buildings.
2. US Department of Energy. The Role of Microgrids in Enhancing Grid Resilience.
3. International Renewable Energy Agency. The Future of Distributed Energy.
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WISEFRAMEWORK is a BACnet B-AWS certified software solution for state-of-the-art integration, control, management and visualisation in building automation systems. Designed to redefine the way buildings are operated through an open platform and seamless harmonisation between building-generated data by supporting multiple protocols including BACnet, Modbus, KNX, OPC-UA and MQTT. Through the use of Haystack technology, the software also empowers the building for the future at the forefront in the integration of the various technical systems.
