Smart Grids Facilities

CEDER-CIEMAT’s microgrid is underpinned by a 45 kV power line and serves a 45/15 kV (1,000 kVA) substation. From this substation, medium-voltage power is distributed via an underground network to eight transformer substations, which adjust the power to a low-voltage, three-phase supply delivering 400 V.

The network can operate as a ring, enabling a medium-voltage perimeter some 4,200 metres long, and also as a radial network.

All of the components that comprise the systems for distributed generation, distributed electricity storage and load are connected at low voltage.

In terms of demand, the Centre offers a number of different consumption profiles, similar to those that can be found in an industrial environment, a services environment and even a domestic environment.

 

photo of distribution of the medium-voltage power supply among the transformer substationsphoto of distribution of the medium-voltage power supply among the transformer substations

 

  • DISTRIBUTED GENERATION SYSTEMS
  • STORAGE SYSTEMS
  • LOADS AND CONSUMPTION
Distributed generation involves the production of electricity through a series of small energy sources located as near as possible to the points of consumption or load that they serve. As the energy flow is reduced, there are fewer network losses.
 
CEDER’s microgrid, which covers an area of 640 ha, incorporates a number of different distributed generation systems, which are connected at low voltage to the various transformer substations. 
 
The majority of these generation systems are powered by renewable energy and are unmanageable, i.e. their primary energy source cannot be controlled or stored, and therefore their production cannot be controlled.
 

Unregulatable generation systems

  • Wind-energy systems. 

ATLANTIC AOC wind turbine: 50 kW, 15 metres diameter.

photo of PEPA I with ATLANTIC wind turbines

 

  • Photovoltaic systems.

Photovoltaic systems: There are eight different photovoltaic systems connected to the microgrid.

  • Building E01: 80 x 150 W monocrystalline silicon panels, providing a total of 12 kW.
  • Building E03: 54 photovoltaic panels, comprising 36 x 240 W monocrystalline panels and 18 x 230 W polycrystalline panels, providing a total of 12.6 kW. 
  • Building E09: 238 x 97 W thin film panels, providing a total of 23.2 kW. 

photo of photovoltaic panels on building E03photo of photovoltaic panels on building E01 (ARFRISOL)

 

  • The LECA building houses two different systems: 
  • LECA 1: 63 x 310 W polycrystalline panels, providing a total of 19.5 kW.
  • LECA 2: 63 x 310 W polycrystalline panels, providing a total of 19.5 kW.
  • PEPA III: 24 x 210 W polycrystalline panels, providing a total of 5 kW. 
  • Turbine area: 64 x 250 W monocrystalline panels, providing a total of 16 kW.
  • Energysis area: 64 x 140 W polycrystalline panels, providing a total of 8.9 kW. 

photo of photovoltaic panels on the LECA buildingphoto of photovoltaic panels in the turbine area

 

Regulatable generation systems

  • Engine generator

  • CEDER's microgrid is equipped with a GEN 110FC engine generator providing 100 kVA of power.

Engine generator

 

  • Reversible hydraulic system

  • Reversible hydraulic system comprising a Pelton turbine connected to a 60 kW electric generator and a pumping system. 

photo of storage tanksphoto of Pelton turbine and 60 kW electric generator