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Demand Response

Designing Microgrid Architecture

Learn the principles of microgrid system design, from component sizing to network topology, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness

Microgrid Design Principles

⚖️

Load Matching

Generation capacity must meet or exceed peak load requirements with appropriate reserve margins

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Energy Storage

Battery systems provide backup power and help balance intermittent renewable generation

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Redundancy

Multiple generation sources and network paths ensure system reliability during failures

📊

Scalability

System design should accommodate future expansion and technology upgrades

System Component Sizing

Use this interactive tool to size microgrid components based on your load requirements. Adjust the sliders to see how different configurations affect system performance and cost.

Microgrid System Sizer

System Performance

Solar Coverage0.0%
Renewable Penetration0.0%
Battery Autonomy0.0 hours
System Resilience0.0/100

Economic Analysis

Levelized Cost of Energy$0.00/MWh
Based on 25-year lifetime, 80% capacity factor

Recommendations

  • • Consider increasing solar capacity for better renewable coverage
  • • Increase battery capacity for longer backup duration
  • • Add more renewables to reduce fossil fuel dependence
  • • Enhance system resilience with additional backup capacity

Architecture Configuration

Explore different microgrid architectures, network topologies, and control strategies to understand their trade-offs and optimal use cases.

Architecture Configurator

Coupling Architecture

Network Topology

Control Strategy

Selected Configuration

Architecture
Hybrid-Coupled
Efficiency: 92%
Topology
Radial
Reliability: 70/100
Control
Hierarchical
Hierarchical approach

Hybrid-Coupled Architecture Details

Advantages
  • Best of both worlds
  • High efficiency
  • Flexible design
Considerations
  • Most complex
  • Highest initial cost
  • Advanced control required

Load Profile Analysis

Analyze different load profiles to understand how usage patterns affect microgrid design and component sizing requirements.

Load Profile Analyzer

Load Statistics

Average Load5.1 kW
Peak Load12.0 kW
Load Factor42.7%

24-Hour Load Profile

12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM12 AM

Design Recommendations

  • • Peak capacity should be sized for 12 kW maximum load
  • • Battery should provide 48 kWh for 4-hour backup
  • • Solar capacity should target 6 kW for good coverage
  • • Load factor of 42.7% indicates variable usage patterns

Key Design Considerations

Technical Factors

  • • Power quality and voltage regulation requirements
  • • Frequency stability and synchronization
  • • Protection coordination and fault isolation
  • • Communication and monitoring systems
  • • Islanding detection and reconnection protocols

Economic Factors

  • • Capital and operational cost optimization
  • • Return on investment and payback periods
  • • Energy cost savings and revenue opportunities
  • • Incentive programs and financing options
  • • Lifecycle cost analysis and maintenance planning
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