Microgrid control incorporated with Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-based power productions in the university campus

Microgrids, comprised of a diverse portfolio of efficient energy sources, present a promising approach to managing localized power systems, exemplified by university campuses. The successful implementation of such microgrids necessitates a rigorous and multifaceted analytical framework. Given the dynamic and computationally intensive nature of the modeling process, which involves numerous interdependent variables, System Dynamics (SD) was adopted as the analytical methodology. A fifty-year SD model was developed to harness the computational power of this approach. The accompanying figure depicts the SD model, encompassing key components such as Microgrid Control, Distributed Resources, and Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-based Nuclear Energy. Nuclear energy availability exhibited a fluctuating trajectory in the initial three decades, subsequently gaining significant prominence due to its zero-carbon emissions and high energy efficiency. Other energy sources demonstrated a gradual increase in availability, while "Marketing & Power Plant" and "Microgrid Control" exhibited cyclical patterns of growth. The significance of energy efficiency within university campuses cannot be overstated, as the associated cost savings can directly support and enhance educational and research initiatives.