MEM: Energy management system for low voltage DC microgrids

Abstract

This paper introduces the Microgrid Energy Manager (MEM), a plug-and-play platform for microgrid management. MEM is an end-to-end solution for monitoring, control, and management of AC, DC, and hybrid microgrids. We introduce the application of MEM for low voltage DC microgrids. Under the umbrella of MEM, a key component is the homegrid, which is managed locally by the Homegrid Energy Manager (HEM). A group of homegrids form the community-level microgrid, and are managed by MEM, which is based in the cloud. MEM adopts a plug-and-play model, working with existing storage systems, inverters, energy sources, and loads. A multi-layer approach provides real-time control and intelligent management of energy sources and loads, using embedded sensing and computing, wireless networks, internet-of-things, and cloud-computing technologies. This study focuses on a DC homegrid which consists of storage, loads and energy sources. A brief overview of the MEM architecture is given, with emphasis on design and experimental evaluation at the DC homegrid level.