Tyalgum, New South Wales: Tyalgum is a small town located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. It has a population of around 200 people
Introduction
Tyalgum, New South Wales: Tyalgum is a small town located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. It has a population of around 200 people and is home to a community-owned microgrid, which includes solar panels, battery storage, and a diesel generator. This microgrid operates in parallel with the main grid, allowing the town to draw electricity from both sources as needed. When the microgrid generates excess electricity, it can be sold back to the main grid. The current Tyalgum microgrid includes a 53 kW solar array, a 270 kWh battery storage system, and a 25 kW diesel generator. The system is designed to provide power to the town's community hall, businesses, and residences.
The project aims to design an optimal microgrid to increase the solar array and battery storage capacity to further reduce the reliance on diesel generators and prepare for future increases of demand due to population growth, changes in industry or lifestyle. The goal is to achieve a total reduction of 75% in diesel generator reliance, which would represent a significant improvement over the current state of the Tyalgum microgrid.
Proposed solution
Microgrid layout
When designing a microgrid with increased solar and battery storage capacity, there are a number of factors to consider, such as the available solar resource in the area, the energy demand of the town or community, and the optimal size and configuration of the battery storage system. It's important to conduct a thorough analysis to determine the most effective and cost-efficient system design, and to consider factors such as the potential for future energy demand growth and the costs associated with maintenance and replacement of the system components over time.
Solar panelPs, out = GS S Iti [1 0.005(t0 25)], Solar panel power outputConversion efficiency of solar panel Array size of solar panelSolar radiation of selected region in one day0Temperature of selected region in one day0 , ,,Number of solar panels at bus 6 or 14,Maximum solar panels at bus 6 or 1400.20.40.60.811.21.40 5 10 15 20 25 30 35Pwind,output (w)wind speed (m/s)
DC power flow:Sij,t Bij (i,t j,t) = 0 Reactance between bus i and bus j,Phase angle at bus i,Phase angle at bus j , Maximum power flow from bus i to bus j
Battery model:,+1 = , , + , , Energy contained in the battery at bus i, time t, Battery discharge power at bus i, time t, Battery charge power at bus i, time tDischarge efficiency of selected batteryCharge efficiency of selected batteryThe above constraint introduces the energy balance considering discharge and chargeefficiency..0 = 0, Initial battery capacity at each bus Battery capacity constantERB SOCmin xi Ei,tB ERB SOCmax xi Rated energy capacity of batteryMinimum state-of-charge of batteryMaximum state-of-charge of batteryNumber of battery units at bus i0 , 0 , Maximum discharge power of one battery unit Maximum charge power of one battery unit0 Maximum battery units in bus i
Note that it is not necessary to introduce two binary number to guarantee the charging anddischarging condition cannot happen at the same time, due to the fact that when consideringcharging and discharging efficiency, the situation of charging and discharging at the sametime is not an optimal solution
Assessment Rubric: Final design of microgrid-The optimal planning and operational strategies
Criteria FA PS CR DI HD
Description of and justification for the final micogrid design with comprehensive technical and economic analysis. Optimization programming can generate rational results. (40%)
LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Mark 0 - 49
An unsatisfactory attempt. The design does not stem from a sound technically led process. Reference to the design process, response to mathematical models, and justification for final design are absent, missing or severely limited. Optimization principles and/or technological affordances are not considered. The final design is not informed by peer feedback. Mark 50 - 64
A satisfactory attempt. The described design and design process demonstrate awareness of practical energy needs. Though weak, there is some rationale connecting process through to final design. Basic understanding of electrical engineering technology, optimization principles and/or affordances of proposed technologies. Description or justification present but may be incomplete or limited. The role of peer feedback in informing the final design and discussion are included but weak.
Mark 65 - 74
A sound attempt. The described design and design process demonstrate sound understanding of electrical engineering technology literature, optimization and mathematical modelling principles and/or affordances of proposed technologies. The rationale connecting process through to final design is coherent. Both description and justification are clear and complete. The role of peer feedback in informing the final design is positioned and integrated.
Mark 75 - 84
Work of a superior quality. The described design and design process are technically led and demonstrate superior understanding and critical application of electrical engineering technology literature, optimization and mathematical modelling principles, and affordances of proposed technologies. The rationale connecting process through to final design is clear. Theories or frameworks are used appropriately. The role of peer feedback in informing the final design is clearly positioned and integrated.
Mark 85 - 100
Work is of an outstanding quality. The design process and design are sound, appropriate and well justified. The rationale between process and product, including the role of peer feedback, is elegantly executed and supported with reference to appropriate data and literature. Theories or frameworks are applied appropriately and demonstrate critical and creative engagement and an extension or contribution above that already visible in the discipline. The final design accounts for practical energy needs and technological and economic affordances. The role of peer feedback in informing the final design is critically integrated. Work may demonstrate exceptional creativity, originality or critical insight.
Implementation plan including risk and sustainability assessment for the microgrid design and its integration into the wider context of energy use. (30%)
LO 2, 3, 4, 5
Mark 0 49
An unsatisfactory attempt. Plans for implementation, risk assessment, and consideration of sustainability issues are absent, missing, or severely limited. The impact of the final design on stakeholders is not considered. Relevant risks and sustainability issues are neither identified nor managed.
Mark 50 - 64
A satisfactory attempt. Plans for implementation, risk assessment, and consideration of sustainability issues are included but may be weak. The impact of the design on stakeholders is considered, but may be vague, incomplete, or lack specificity. Some risks and sustainability issues are identified. Some attempt made to manage risk and sustainability is included, but may lack depth or suitability. Mark 65 - 74
A sound attempt. Plans for implementation, risk assessment, and consideration of sustainability issues are appropriate for the specific context. The impact of the final design on stakeholders within a specific context is well considered and complete. Risks and sustainability issues relating to implementation are identified. There is a sound attempt made to manage risk and sustainability. Mark 75 - 84
Work of a superior quality. Plans for implementation, risk assessment, and consideration of sustainability issues are appropriate for the specific context. The impact of the final design on different stakeholders is complete and well balanced. Risks and sustainability issues relating to implementation are thoroughly considered. Strategies to manage risk and sustainability are clearly identified and justified.
Mark 85 - 100
Work is of an outstanding quality. Plans for implementation, risk assessment, and consideration of sustainability issues are deeply relevant for the specific context. The needs of different stakeholders are considered and demonstrate thorough forethought and judicious balance. Risks and sustainability issues are thoroughly considered and supported with well-justified management strategies. Plan thoroughly for efficiency, sustainability, scalability, or risk management. May address wider energy challenges documented in the literature.
Evaluation plan for the proposed design and its implementation. (20%)
LO 2, 4, 5
Mark 0 49
An unsatisfactory attempt. The evaluation plan is absent, limited, or inappropriate for adequately assessing the efficacy of the design and its implementation.
Mark 50 - 64
A satisfactory attempt. The evaluation plan will provide some basic feedback on the efficacy of the design and its implementation. The evaluation plan may be weak in parts of its design, with evaluative methods either failing to account for the phenomenon being explored or the practical constraints of the context. Evidence of critical and reflective thinking is limited.
Mark 65 - 74
A sound attempt. The evaluation plan will provide useful feedback on the efficacy of the design and its implementation. Methods for evaluation are suitable for the phenomena being explored or the practical constraints of the context. Evaluation design may also capture feedback on what may be unexpected or unanticipated. Evidence of critical and reflective thinking is included and offers some additional insight.
Mark 75 - 84
Work of a superior quality. The evaluation plan will appropriately gauge the efficacy of the design and its implementation. The evaluative methods are critically developed and appropriate for the specific phenomenon being explored. Methods for evaluation balance the need for data with the practical constraints of the context. There is a clear sense of how evaluation data may be used. Reflections demonstrate thoughtful and critical engagement with the design process.
Mark 85 - 100
Work is of an outstanding quality. The evaluation plan is elegantly and critically designed to gauge the efficacy of the design and its implementation. The evaluative methods are appropriate for the specific phenomena being explored whilst accommodating findings that may be unexpected. These methods balance the need for data with practical constraints such as time, context, participants, and cohort. There is a clear sense of the purpose and use of evaluation data. Reflections demonstrate thoughtful and critical engagement with the design process. May demonstrate additional creative or critical thought and insight.
Structure, clarity, focus on topic, and quality of writing and presentation to conceptualise the engineering design and critically review this from a scholarly perspective. (10%)
LO 1, 5
Mark 0 - 49
An unsatisfactory attempt. Written language does not adhere to the principles of academic writing or include scholarly perspectives. Citations and references to scholarly work are absent, inappropriate, or incomplete. Grammar and spelling pose significant barrier to the readers comprehension. Figures and tables are absent or used incorrectly.
Mark 50 - 64
A satisfactory attempt. Structure and written language are interpretable but sometimes unclear. References to scholarly works are limited, poorly cited, or poorly selected. Written language presents some barrier to the readers comprehension. Figures and/or tables may be used.
Mark 65 - 74
A sound attempt. Clear written structure and appropriate scholarly language. References to scholarly works are appropriate. There may be some grammatical or spelling errors, but none that pose any significant barrier to reader comprehension. Where appropriate, figures and/or tables are clear and integrated appropriately.
Mark 75 - 84
Work of a superior quality. Clear and logical written structure and progression of argument. References to scholarly works are appropriate, subjected to some critical review, and largely well integrated. Written language demonstrates precision, clarity, and concision. Figures and/or tables are well designed and used.
Mark 85 - 100
Work is of an outstanding quality. Exceptional written structure and progression of argument. References to the scholarly literature demonstrate exceptional grasp of the subject area, critical selection, and consideration. Citations are well referenced and integrated into the wider work. Written language demonstrates outstanding precision, clarity, and concision. Figures and/or tables serve to clarify and are well integrated.
