Energy consumption optimization in a smart university campus microgrid

Abstract

The paper considers energy consumption optimization in a university campus smart microgrid environment. A model, including photovoltaic panels, battery energy storage system, reformer for low-cost Bio-Hydrogen production, and PEM fuel cells, is proposed. The objective of the study is to calculate the parameters of the reformer and PEM fuel cells, the optimal schedule of the battery energy storage system, and the necessary Hydrogen production to cover the loads in the smart microgrid, for achieving full energy independence from the main grid. The fmincon solver from the Optimization toolbox in MATLAB was used to solve the formulated optimization problem. The test experiments show that the project can be realized at a reasonable cost.