NIT-Rourkela researchers develop hybrid micro grids that could come in handy at countryside
BHUBANESWAR, Oct 27 (UNI)A team of researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT)-Rourkela has developed an intelligent control system that can automatically manage the electricity flow from solar, wind, and battery sources.
The innovative “hybrid microgrid” can deliver a clean and continuous power supply to areas in the countryside that have no access to the main electric power grid.
The primary aim of this research is to reduce the potential use of fossil fuel reserves and provide power to remote regions that are not covered by the main electricity grid.
The findings of this research have been published in the prestigious journal IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications in a paper co-authored by Prof Arnab Ghosh, in collaboration with Prof Krishna Roy, Assistant Professors, Department of Electrical Engineering, and Ananya Pritilagna Biswal, Research Scholar, NIT Rourkela.
Hybrid microgrids are being researched worldwide, wherein renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are combined with battery storage. However, the integration remains complicated and prone to fluctuations.
The researchers have developed a dynamic power management scheme (PMS) that enables all energy producers and storage units to coordinate seamlessly. This controlling technique allows the batteries to store energy safely and efficiently, enabling greater storage capacity and longer battery life while reducing overall expenditures.
By automatically switching converters according to the most readily available resources—solar in the morning and wind, biomass gasifier (BMG), and pico hydropower (PH) during the rest of the day—the system ensures that the active power flow is balanced across different loads.
“This work focuses on power management among different sources, loads, and storage systems.
Energy management techniques in renewables-integrated microgrids provide social benefits by ensuring reliable electricity access, especially in remote communities. They promote sustainable development, create local employment opportunities, and improve living standards.
Additionally, they reduce dependence on fossil fuels, enhance energy security, and support community resilience through cleaner, affordable, and more equitable energy solutions,” said the NIT researchers.
Apart from microgrids, the proposed system would also be effective in electric vehicle charging stations and standalone renewable energy systems.
