Smart modelling of hybrid energy systems incorporating multi-source renewable energy systems (Multi-Renew)
Multi-Renew is a demonstrator software that models local generation energy systems that incorporate a range of renewable sources. The package enables the most efficient combination of energy sources to be used, and the optimum control and scheduling algorithms to be developed, for both off-grid and grid-connected applications. Mutli-Renew intelligent optimisation and scheduling algorithms allow users to evaluate the economic and technical feasibility of a large number of technology options and to account for variations in technology costs and energy resource availability.
Multi-Renew provides detailed mathematical simulation and optimisation of both conventional and renewable energy technologies in a relatively simple and easy to use platform. It incorporates the following elements:
Energy sources:
Photovoltaic panel (PV)
Solar thermo hot water system
Wind turbine
Diesel generator set
Electric utility grid
Storage:
Battery bank
Hot water cylinder
Loads:
Daily weather profiles with seasonal variation
Heat and power demands
There is also the potential to incorporate additional energy sources, such as micro Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and heat pumps along with other energy management options (such as export of surplus electricity to the grid).
Multi-Renew provides two main benefits for those involved in the design, construction, or refurbishment of buildings or in local energy generation by:
- informing the selection of the most appropriate renewable technologies for that particular site
- optimising the management and control of these multiple energy sources both in terms of supply and demand
Multi-renew as been developed by the Centre for Smart Systems at the University of Brighton as a pre-commercial demonstrator software. We would welcome collaboration with industry in order to assess and optimise the package and to develop it for commercial use.
