Multi-agent systems for the dependability and safety of microgrids

The electrical networks are very complex systems, presently in full evolution. With the increasing penetration and apportionment over large areas of the renewable energies, the centralized nature of the power production evolves toward a more distributed form. In this context, the interest of the microgrids, as subcomponents of the main grid, rises especially by the specific services that they can provide. To ensure the stability and the dependability of a microgrid is a difficult task particularly in islanded mode. The microgrid is a mix of different types of elements and its structure may evolve. The multi-agents systems technique, with its distributed and adaptive character, can be an interesting tool for the control of each microgrid component and for the real time decision making related to the microgrid management. The paper starts with a presentation of microgrids and their specific issues, and follows with some basic concepts on multi-agents systems. Then, a review of the proposed techniques and algorithms that implies multi-agents systems in microgrids management is presented, focusing on the safety and the dependability in microgrids

Research experimental platforms to study microgrids issues

Microgrid (MG) concept is becoming increasingly mature. It allows integrating better distributed generation, and especially renewable energy sources, in the grid. However, many issues have still to be resolved before implementing this concept in the real power system extensively. This paper presents first a review of the main issues associated to microgrids dealt with in the scientific literature. The different issues are classified and some examples of carried out studies are given for each issue. Then, a short review of existing experimental microgrids is done. They are classified in small-size and real-size experimental MGs. After that, the EneR-GEA experimental MG or platform of ESTIA Engineering School is presented, describing its different components. Then, some carried out experiments are explained. To finish, the main planned projects at short and medium term related to this platform are given

Renewable Electricity conversion and storage: Focus on Power to Gas process, EMR modelling and simulation

Nowadays, the world attends an energy transition, which is motivated by the massive use of fossil energies that is at the origin of greenhouse gas emissions, in particular carbon monoxide/dioxide. Therefore, this energy transition promotes the large-scale use of renewable energy sources. The intermittence and the fluctuation of these sources make their integration difficult; this is why the incorporation of energy storage can provide additional beneficial features and aid in its further growth. This paper gives an overview about the electrical energy conversion and storage. A particular attention is paid to Power to Gas. To perform an optimized sizing of power to gas system, there must be a modeled, which approximates the behavior of the real physical system. To do this multi-physics modeling is required. The macroscopic energy performance will be used in modeling each system component. EMR is a graphical modeling tool that facilitate understanding of the model of the energy chain. EMR modeling approach is a reliable option for real-time energy management of energy system macroscopically

Effets de la fréquence d'excitation sur l'uniformité du plasma dans les réacteurs capacitifs grande surface.

Low-pressure capacitive discharges are routinely used in the flat panel industry for deposition of thin films on large-area substrates. Deposition rates may also be increased by increasing the excitation frequency, typically from 13.56 MHz, up to 120 MHz (Very High Frequency), which provides higher-density plasmas with low-energy ions. However, strong non-uniformities of plasma production are expected in capacitive discharges if the excitation wavelength becomes comparable to the reactor size (standing-wave effect). Ion flux and ion energy uniformity measurements were carried out in a large-area square capacitive discharge driven at frequencies between 13.56 MHz and 81.36 MHz in argon gas up to 200 mTorr. At high frequency, the ion flux is non-uniform due to the standing wave effect. Ion energy is uniform in the same conditions. The influence of gaz pressure and composition is also investigated.Les décharges capacitives basse pression sont couramment utilisées dans l'industrie des écrans plats pour le dépôt de couches minces sur des substrats de plus en plus grande surface. L'augmentation de la fréquence d'excitation (typiquement de 13.56 MHz à 200 MHz) produit des sources denses avec des ions peu énergétiques conduisant à l'augmentation de la vitesse des procédés. Cependant, les modèles théoriques prévoient de fortes non-uniformités du dépôt de puissance dans la décharge lorsque la longueur d'onde d'excitation est comparable à la taille du réacteur. Nous avons réalisé des mesures d'uniformité du flux d'ions et de l'énergie des ions dans une décharge capacitive carrée grande surface excitée de 13.56 MHz à 81.36 MHz dans l'argon jusqu'à 200 mTorr. A haute fréquence, le flux d'ions est fortement non uniforme à cause de l'effet d'onde stationnaire. L'énergie des ions est uniforme dans les mêmes conditions. L'influence de la pression et du mélange de gaz est aussi investiguée

Geolocation and monitoring platform for extensive farming in mountain pastures

ISBN : 978-1-4799-7799-4International audienceNowadays, interconnected ubiquitous objects are more and more present in different applications as a technical solution to collect, every time and everywhere, great amounts of data which are accessible through the Internet. One interesting area of application is the monitoring of cattle, in order not only to improve the farming working conditions but also to better know the behavior of the animals. In this work, a geolocation and monitoring platform oriented to extensive farming in mountain environments is presented. The proposed solution is composed of low power long range communication geolocation devices and a dedicated interface, accessible by means of different portable devices, which allows users to access and study the collected data

From functional analysis to energy harvesting system design: application to car suspension

In the context of global energy demand increase, working on energy efficiency is essential. This paper deals with energy harvesting on car suspensions. In order to have a real added value, some criteria must be considered: the need to design a system that would be easily integrated into cars, the possibility to locally use the recovered energy to add new functionalities that can improve the security or the comfort of the car, and the necessity to not degrade and, if possible, to improve (semi-active or active dampers) the performances of the suspension. From the mechanical point of view, the functional analysis is used to define and to characterize the main suspension parts, to investigate the connexions and the energy flows and to identify the key elements for energy recovery. Then, quarter car and half car models implemented with Matlab/Simulink software are presented in order to evaluate the quantity of energy that could be recovered. Three locations are presented and evaluated. Simulations results will finally give an overview on the implementation opportunities

Diseñando el coche eléctrico en clave medioambiantal

Article paru dans la revue "Energias Renovables". Bilan du projet européen Green-Car Eco-Design.Las ventajas económicas del vehículo eléctrico (VE) son de sobra conocidas. Las medioambientales menos. El proyecto europeo Green-Car Eco-Design, realizado entre 2011 y 2013 y en el que han participado siete institutos y centros technológicos europeos, ha consistido, precisamente, en incluir esta variable medioambiental durante el proceso de diseño y desarrollo de los componentes principales del VE y aumentar, así, el conocimiento de este impacto a lo largo de su ciclo de vida

Diseñando el coche eléctrico en clave medioambiantal

Article paru dans la revue "Energias Renovables". Bilan du projet européen Green-Car Eco-Design.Las ventajas económicas del vehículo eléctrico (VE) son de sobra conocidas. Las medioambientales menos. El proyecto europeo Green-Car Eco-Design, realizado entre 2011 y 2013 y en el que han participado siete institutos y centros technológicos europeos, ha consistido, precisamente, en incluir esta variable medioambiental durante el proceso de diseño y desarrollo de los componentes principales del VE y aumentar, así, el conocimiento de este impacto a lo largo de su ciclo de vida

From functional analysis to energy harvesting system design: application to car suspension

International audienceIn the context of global energy demand increase, working on energy efficiency is essential. This paper deals with energy harvesting on car suspensions. In order to have a real added value, some criteria must be considered: the need to design a system that would be easily integrated into cars, the possibility to locally use the recovered energy to add new functionalities that can improve the security or the comfort of the car, and the necessity to not degrade and, if possible, to improve (semi-active or active dampers) the performances of the suspension. From the mechanical point of view, the functional analysis is used to define and to characterize the main suspension parts, to investigate the connexions and the energy flows and to identify the key elements for energy recovery. Then, quarter car and half car models implemented with Matlab/Simulink software are presented in order to evaluate the quantity of energy that could be recovered. Three locations are presented and evaluated. Simulations results will finally give an overview on the implementation opportunities

Multi-agent systems for the dependability and safety of microgrids

International audienceThe electrical networks are very complex systems, presently in full evolution. With the increasing penetration and apportionment over large areas of the renewable energies, the centralized nature of the power production evolves toward a more distributed form. In this context, the interest of the microgrids, as subcomponents of the main grid, rises especially by the specific services that they can provide. To ensure the stability and the dependability of a microgrid is a difficult task particularly in islanded mode. The microgrid is a mix of different types of elements and its structure may evolve. The multi-agents systems technique, with its distributed and adaptive character, can be an interesting tool for the control of each microgrid component and for the real time decision making related to the microgrid management. The paper starts with a presentation of microgrids and their specific issues, and follows with some basic concepts on multi-agents systems. Then, a review of the proposed techniques and algorithms that implies multi-agents systems in microgrids management is presented, focusing on the safety and the dependability in microgrids