Sustainable Integrated Grid Initiative

Overview

As part of a large Sustainable Integrated Grid Initiative (SIGI) research program, researchers have developed a unique mobile platform that can be used for a variety of vehicle charging experiments. The MV2GES platform is essentially a “microgrid on wheels” and consists of a trailer that has on-board energy storage (600 kWh), solar panels, grid-connectivity, and a V2G-capable EV charger that can be operated in an “islanded” configuration. This versatile platform can be used in several ways:

This platform is unique due to its Vehicle to Grid (V2G) charging capabilities coupled with islanding functionality. This allows grid connected vehicles to transfer power from the vehicles to transfer power from the vehicle back to the electric supply infrastructure. The optimization of V2G requires properly configured vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The platform can interface with both light-duty passenger EVs and larger transit electric vehicles. The MV2GES architecture allows stored energy support from either vehicle batteries or the trailer-based batteries. Algorithms contained within the on-board Energy Management System optimize based on load profiles, generated energy (solar PV), and stored energy. Coupling V2G functionality with electric transit vehicles has proven complementary since scheduled vehicle use provides dedicated vehicle availability for energy-based operations. Additionally, charging vehicles during excess energy supply (excess solar) allows energy to stay on site and minimize losses associated with electrical transmission/distribution. The MV2GES platform has proven effective in developing, demonstrating, and optimizing EMS strategies which can be deployed in regions needing greater energy resiliency coupled with expanded mobility options.

• Building microgrid support;
• Behind-the-meter energy optimization;
• Peak load mitigation;
• Demand responses;
• Islanding operations;
• Emergency power response;
• Coordinated community energy resiliency.

Overview

California’s recent increase in catastrophic wildfires combined with Investor Owned Utilities (IOU) and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) requires stationary and/or backup generation. Traditional backup generation uses fossil fuel where small scale renewable sources like solar PV and wind are making some inroads.

For providing sustainable and reliable backup generation intermittent renewable energy need to be combined with Battery Energy Storage (BES) which require novel approaches for an integrated off grid system with enhanced resiliency and reliability.

The project team led by the College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT), has already developed extensive microgrid and BES integration of various sizes at our research center. These capabilities include mobile systems incorporating BES, solar PV, wind turbines and inverters. UCR now utilizes similar hardware and software solutions in collaboration with manufacturers of renewable energy generation products who have already implemented their products in small scale mobile platform.

The project team includes key partners that currently have commercial products which contribute system components that can help in developing a functional Mobile Renewable Backup Generation (MORBUG). The team’s approach is to optimize mobile renewable generation capability while maintaining complete transportation functionality and providing additional features such as advanced SCADA and EMS, critical load management utilizing on-site renewable generation.

Successful implementation of this system provides resilient and reliable electricity to the critical infrastructure during any rotating blackouts and PSPS incidents.

In the last ten years, the project team has designed, developed and deployed four working microgrids at UC Riverside. The primary microgrid testbed is located at UCR’s CE-CERT research facility, consisting of four buildings (totaling over 60,000 sqft), 500kW solar photovoltaic renewable energy generation, and over 500 kWh battery-based energy storage capacity. This testbed has been set up with a wide range of instrumentation and has a number of energy pathways to evaluate a variety of microgrid configurations. In the last two years, a number of experiments have been carried out for both off-grid islanding operation of the main administration building, as well as establishing V2G capabilities.

Overview

One of the major contributors to global climate change around the world is the carbon dioxide that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles produce. This issue deserves significant attention, leading to alternative energy sources and powertrains for transportation other than ICE vehicles. The purpose of this research project is to integrate solar electric power into a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) car to demonstrate the possibilities that solar-electric vehicles can be a legitimate alternative transportation mode in the future. Eight solar panels have been installed on the roof and bed of the NEV in order to convert solar radiation into electric power. The electric power is used to power the vehicle during the day and to also recharge the batteries for later use. During the night, the NEV uses the energy saved in the six batteries that the vehicle uses. The goal of this project is to power the vehicle by at least 50% from solar power, the remaining power coming from the electric grid. Solar-electric vehicles can potentially be an efficient and clean source of energy for short trips in a community, producing zero exhaust emissions.

Overview

The University of California-Riverside (UCR) has recently re-organized its Office of Sustainability, which oversees and supports all aspects of sustainability across campus. UCR, as part of the ten-campus University of California system, is following an aggressive Carbon Neutrality Initiative, committing the university to net-zero carbon emissions from all its activities, buildings, and vehicle fleet by the year 2025. UCR is applying much of its cutting-edge research and technology transfer to help achieve this goal, including bringing new zero-emitting vehicles and sustainable energy technologies and infrastructure to the campus.

Mobile Renewable Energy Station

A key student sustainability program at UCR is the Green Campus Action Plan, which is part of the associated student body. GCAP hosts a wide variety of programs that promote sustainability, including hosting workshops and events, carrying out “Green Projects”, and promoting sustainability practices on campus.

One of their goals is to maximize their use of renewable energy during outdoor events. Instead of plugging into the campus’ grid or using a diesel generator for their power, they will utilize a Mobile Renewable Energy Station that will collect, store, and deliver renewable electricity. Several years in the past, they created a prototype of such a system. They now have redesigned and created a new system. Assisting with this project will be several faculty and staff members from the CE-CERT.

Objectives

The primary objective of the proposed Mobile Renewable Energy Station (MRES) will be to replace the use of diesel generators for powering outdoor events at UCR. By switching to renewable solar energy, both GHG and pollutant emissions will be reduced. Once the system is designed and utilized, these emission reductions will be quantified. In addition, the MRES will serve as an educational showpiece to teach and demonstrate to students and the public about renewable energy and its capabilities.

Project Design

Mobile Renewable Energy Station Design

MRES consists of a trailer outfitted with different components that make up a renewable energy system, providing traditional 120V power. The system will capture solar energy through photovoltaic solar panels and optionally a wind turbine. The harvested energy is stored in a bank of rechargeable batteries. From there, the energy is directed through an electrical DC-to-AC inverter to power a variety of equipment. This MRES is used to power a number of future outdoor events, where it can also serve as a sustainability outreach tool, teaching students and the public how the system works and its current performance. This green energy project is an excellent way of generating electricity with zero carbon emissions and has near-zero operating costs.

The MRES is designed to provide enough power typically used at an outdoor event that can last up to three hours. It will be used to power lights as well as various audio-visual systems. A small tablet computer is also used as part of the MRES to illustrate the system operation and provide renewable energy statistics.

CE-CERT faculty and staff have extensive experience in this type of microgrid solution and will assist students in designing and building the overall system. The critical elements of the design will be the size of the solar panel assembly, battery system, and inverter. As part of the project, each component will be carefully designed to meet the specification goals of the project.

Overview

The Battery-Electric Trolley Bus can be connected to CE-CERT's micro-grid and is charged and discharged to manage our peak energy demand loads within our research facility. We can also utilize the Trolley for UCR and CE-CERT special events.