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ERI Training

Microgrid Design and Optimisation

Presenter Nidhi Verma (HOMER ENERGY)
Date
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Time
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Contact person
Gopika Prema
E: gopika.prema@cdu.edu.au
Location Online and CDU Casuarina Campus, Yellow 03.1.14/15

Homer was originally developed at the National Renewable energy Laboratory and is one of the most effective hybrid systems modelling tools currently available. Homer enables the techno-economic modelling and optimisation of distributed Hybrid systems and offers a platform to evaluate design options to determine a system’s feasibility.

The 3-day training program provides an overview of the modelling and optimisation of microgrids using HOMER Pro and Homer Grid Software.

Course outline

Homer Pro - Foundation 1

Introduction to Homer Pro

Simulation and Optimization (Demonstration and Exercises)

  • Model a small community system.

  • Simulate a diesel-only system.

  • Lower costs by adding batteries.

  • Build a hybrid mini-grid with solar photovoltaics.

  • Identify diesel, fuel-saver, hybrid, and 100% renewable designs.

Foundation 1 - Sensitivity Analysis (Demonstration and Exercises)

  • Sensitivity analysis on fuel price (one-dimensional).

  • Sensitivity analysis on capacity shortage and fuel price (two-dimensional).

  • Determine the payback and internal rate of return (IRR) for a design.

  • Exporting and sharing your preliminary findings.

Homer Pro - Foundation 2

  • Refining design (Demonstration and Exercises).

  • Develop a customised load based on limited data

  • Develop a customised load based on measured data.

  • Size a diesel generator

  • Design a system with specific equipment

  • Exporting and sharing your design

Homer Pro – Foundation 3

Interconnected mini-grid design (Demonstration and Exercise)

  • Net metered PV

  • Feed-in tariffs

  • PV+Storage for interconnected mini-grids.

Focus on designing for high renewable penetration, making grid extension decisions, and modelling with your specific equipment or control strategies.

 

Homer Grid – Foundation 1

Introduction to HOMER Grid

Simulation and Optimization (Demonstration and Exercises)

  • Simulate a simple grid-connected system

  • Optimize with solar PV and batteries

  • Add incentives

  • Create a customer proposal or a simulation report to share your findings.

Homer Grid - Sensitivity Analysis (Demonstration and Exercises)

  • Sensitivity analysis to investigate changes in price and reliability of results.

  • Compare two utility tariffs.

  • Determine the payback and internal rate of return (IRR) for a design.

  • Exporting and sharing your preliminary findings.

Homer Grid - Refining your design (Demonstration and Exercises)

  • Develop a customised load based on limited data.

  • Develop a customised load based on measured data.

  • Import a utility tariff.

  • Add a generator for resilience.

  • Design a system with specific equipment.

  • Exporting and sharing your design.

Homer Grid - Interconnected mini-grid design

  • More incentives – demand response programs and more

Homer Grid - Specialized topics

  • EV charging

  • unreliable grids

 

The Trainer

Nidhi Verma head and shoulders

Nidhi Verma
Software service specialist and Lead trainer at UL

 

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