Browsing by Author "Azzopardi, Brian"

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Design considerations for campus micro-grid: MCAST Case Study
(IEEE, 345 E 47TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10017 USA, 2018) Azzopardi, Brian; Azzopardi, Stefan; Mikalauskiene, Renata; Salem, Al-Agtash; Hadjidemetriou, Lenos; Tzovaras, Dimitris; Garcia Lopez, Francisco de Paula; Brandl, Petra; Onen, Ahmet; Borg, Nicholas; Khiat, Mounir; Camilleri, Tim; 0000-0002-7776-9390; AGÜ, Mühendislik Fakültesi, Elektrik - Elektronik Mühendisliği Bölümü
This paper aims to propose design considerations to transform the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) current and future planned electrical network system into an efficient micro-grid. MCAST is a young higher education and research institution with its campus developing to a state-of-the-art campus with a vision to establish a living laboratory for training and research. During this study, consumption of electrical loads and photovoltaic (PV) generation have been monitored in real-time to define the micro-grid concept. These measurements provide the values to integrate a combined 63kWp PV system together with intelligent loads such as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and lighting, highlighting the integration capabilities. In addition, the future enlargement of the MCAST micro-grid is considered and recommendations are given on the infrastructure to complete an integral campus wide transformation. Eventually the 3DMgrid would be a blueprint for future micro-grids for training and research purposes.
A hybrid agent-based secondary control for microgrids with increased fault-tolerance needs
(Institution of Engineering and Technology, 2018) Bintoudi, Angelina D.; Zyglakis, Lampros; Apostolos C. Tsolakis; Ioannidis, Dimosthenis; Al-Agtash S.; Martinez-Ramos, Jose L.; Onen, Ahmet; Azzopardi, Brian; Hadjidemetriou, Lenos; Martensen, Nis; Mounir, Khiat; Borg, Nicholas; Fragale, Nunziatina; Demoulias, Charis; Tzovaras, Dimitrios; 0000-0001-7086-5112; AGÜ, Mühendislik Fakültesi, Elektrik - Elektronik Mühendisliği Bölümü; Onen, Ahmet
This paper proposes a hybrid secondary control architecture for microgrids with AC-coupled droop-controlled units, based on both centralised and distributed control principles. The proposed secondary control is based on a multi-agent system (MAS), complemented by a microgrid centralised controller (MGCC). The system is able to adjust the droop curves dynamically in order to achieve voltage/frequency restoration as well as active/reactive power optimal allocation, based on the actual status of the controllable units, in particular, the state-of-charge of batteries and maximum power point of photovoltaics. The distributed nature of the agents is also fully exploited because the proposed framework retains operability even under fault on secondary MGCC. To evaluate the proposed framework, a scenario-based performance analysis has been tested over a simulated AC islanded microgrid, where communication from the MGCC is suddenly interrupted and the MAS is required to reconfigure in order to maintain the same control objectives. MATLAB/Simulink simulations have been realised using detailed physical form models for a small-scale microgrid, while the implementation of the MGCC and MAS is accomplished through Java Agent Development (JADE) framework.
Micro-Grid Campus Concept from Data to Design: Case Study Malta
(IEEE345 E 47TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10017 USA, 2020) Azzopardi, Brian; Azzopardi, Stefan; Bartolo, Brian; Jately, Vibhu; Mikalauskine, Renata; Bhattacharya, Somesh; Khalifeh, Ala; Hadjidemetriou, Lenos; Tsolakis, Apostolos; (Martinez-Ramos, Jose Luis; Martensen, Nis; Onen, Ahmet; Borg, Nicholas; Khiat, Mounir; Camilleri, Tim; 0000-0002-7776-9390; 0000-0002-9354-9830; 0000-0003-3600-8090; 0000-0002-7305-8575; 0000-0003-2606-1402; AGÜ, Mühendislik Fakültesi, Elektrik - Elektronik Mühendisliği Bölümü; Önen, Ahmet
This paper aims to highlight the endeavors of a micro-grid campus development from data to design stage that is under development at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), Malta. Malta is an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea having an area of 316km2 and receives the highest EU solar irradiance. The MCAST micro-grid is the first living laboratory for training and research on the island with one-third of the campus fully development in state-of-the-art facilities. In this case study, the loads consumption, photovoltaic (PV) generation and potential Electric Vehicles (EVs), that may support the campus when necessary are analysed for further designs supported by over 2 years of campus data. This analysis would provide the understanding of integrating future EVs on campus and higher penetration of PVs while keeping high consumption loads at watch. In addition, reliability and cost factors of the MCAST micro-grid are considered and recommendations are given on the infrastructure to complete campus wide transformation.
Novel Hybrid Design for Microgrid Control
(IEEE345 E 47TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10017 USA, 2017) Bintoudi, Angelina D.; Zyglakis, Lampros; Apostolos, Tsolakis; Ioannidis, Dimosthenis; Al-Agtash, Salem; Martinez-Ramos, Jose L.; Onen, Ahmet; Azzopardi, Brian; Hadjidemetriou, Lenos; Martensen, Nis; Demoulias, Charis; Tzovaras, Dimitrios; AGÜ, Mühendislik Fakültesi, Elektrik - Elektronik Mühendisliği Bölümü; Onen, Ahmet
This paper proposes a new hybrid control system for an AC microgrid. The system uses both centralised and decentralised strategies to optimize the microgrid energy control while addressing the challenges introduced by current technologies and applied systems in real microgrid infrastructures. The well-known 3-level control (tertiary, secondary, primary) is employed with an enhanced hierarchical design using intelligent agent-based components in order to improve efficiency, diversity, modularity, and scalability. The main contribution of this paper is dual. During normal operation, the microgrid central controller (MGCC) is designed to undertake the management of the microgrid, while providing the local agents with the appropriate constraints for optimal power flow. During MGCC fault, a peer-to-peer communication is enabled between neighbouring agents in order to make their optimal decision locally. The initial design of the control structure and the detailed analysis of the different operating scenarios along with their requirements have shown the applicability of the new system in real microgrid environments.