INESC TEC promotes the power grids of the future leading a revolution in the national power system where the consumer is also a producer of energy.

INESC TEC is strongly involved in project More Microgrids, where the goal was to demonstrate the technical viability of integrating microgeneration in distribution networks. This project promoted a model where the consumer, be it a company or an individual user, produced electricity in a distributed fashion. This model should coexist with the classic model of centralised generation.

Other than the direct economic benefits for the new type of consumer, that is simultaneously a producer of electricity, the More Microgrids also brings other environmental benefits: CO2 emissions are reduced because less energy is lost when transporting electricity to the end user; the volume of electricity generation is also reduced in conventional thermal power plants because the microgeneration units explore renewable energies.

This project assessed the impact of integrating multiple microgrids in electricity grids. These concepts were developed in the scientific domain of the power grids of the future, and could provide interesting opportunities to the Portuguese industry through the development and commercialisation of the solutions studied here.

Microgeneration consists of producing electricity, generally by the consumer (company or individual user), using small scale equipment, namely solar panels, microturbines, micro wind turbines or other type of technology, which guarantees interesting benefits both economically and environmentally.

Developed as part of the 6th EU Framework Programme, the More Microgrids is a continuation of project Microgrids, and it extends the concept of microgeneration, making it possible to reduce power losses in the transmission and distribution grids. This is done by replacing conventional generation with a generation that is partly renewable and located closer to the consumers.

With the participation of different European partners, this project explored renewable energy resources, which are geographically distributed. The project is innovative because it has led to a new generation of consumers, which are at the same time energy producers and consumers. It is important to stress that these consumers can also contribute with their decisions to the real-time management of electricity consumption.

Therefore, the project promotes an energy democracy with the inclusion of the home market, an area in which companies like Japan, Germany, United Kingdom and the U.S. have been investing strongly. This is encouraged by climate change, by the liberalisation of electricity markets in Europe and the increasing oil prices. Therefore, the project benefits both the economy and the environment. Other than reducing energy losses in the distribution grid, the project is a step forward towards changing Portugal’s strong dependence on energy.

Partners:

• Institute of Communication and Computer Systems / National Technical University of Athens
• ABB Schweiz AG, Corporate Research
• SIEMENS Aktiengesellschaft
• SMA Regelsysteme GmbH
• SUNLIGHT   
• ANCO S.A.
• Emforce B.V.   
• EDP Distribucao - Energia S.A.        
• N.V. Continuon Netbehee   
• MVV - Energie AG
• ELTRA    
• CESI RICERCA SpA
• Lodz-Region Power Distribution Company
• Centre for Renewable Energy Sources    
  
• Fundacion Labein        
• University of Manchester
• INESC Porto   
• Institut fuer Solare Energieversorgungstechnik e.V.
• Association pur la Recherche et le Developpement des Methodes et Processus Industriels
• ZIV PmasC S.L.
• I-Power Ltd
• ZAKLAD Energetyczny Lodz
• IMPERIAL        
• University of Durham            
• ICEIM/MANU    
• UKIM        
• BIG        
• DTU

Contact: João Peças Lopes

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