Raytheon demonstrates advanced microgrid system and control capabilities
Raytheon Company and its partners, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Primus Power, and Advanced Energy have successfully demonstrated an advanced microgrid system capable of islanded (off-grid) operation using stored and high penetration renewable energy.
The testing effort, conducted at NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility, incorporated Primus Power's EnergyPod 706kVA powertrain, two AE 100kW solar inverters and Raytheon's Intelligent Power and Energy Management (IPEM) Microgrid Controller. The demonstration proved the ability for an Energy Storage System-driven microgrid with conventional photovoltaic (PV) inverters to achieve 100 percent PV penetration while retaining the power quality needed to satisfy critical facility loads. This maximizes the amount of solar energy that is utilized and minimizes the need to rely upon conventional fuel burning generators, reducing operational costs, logistical burden and carbon footprint.
Raytheon's IPEM Microgrid Controller provides key supervisory control functions, employing model-based control methods to coordinate operation of microgrid resources and perform advanced energy management functions. These capabilities provide safe and reliable microgrid operation while maximizing efficiency via optimal use of renewable resources (e.g., PV) that would otherwise be unavailable during off-grid operation. The demonstration validated key component and system functions and control features that serve as the basis of an Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP)-funded demonstration system, which will be fielded at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in mid-2015.
"Raytheon's Intelligent Power and Energy Management Microgrid Controller leverages unique capabilities designed to provide enhanced energy management functionality to the Department of Defense," said Paul Ferraro, Raytheon's vice president of Integrated Defense Systems' Advanced Technologies Programs. "Our IPEM technology enhances energy security and efficiency, which are essential components required to meet current and future DoD energy objectives."
