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Use Case

MeryGrid: local and optimized energy management

MeryGrid - Container
Mery Bois, Meytherm and CBV Local Energy Communities Local and optimized Energy Management for 3 companies Container with CE+T power converters (640 kW), storage (340 kWh) and software (EMS and BMS) 2017

Context

MeryGrid is a pilot project launched in 2017, in cooperation with Nethys, ULiège and Sirris, which main goal is to set up one of the first Smart Grid in Belgium.

The local microgrid is located in Méry (Belgium), on the border of the Ourthe river in the Liège region, and connects 3 partner companies:

  • Mery Bois, a wood trader with a 60 kWp photovoltaic installation,
  • Meytherm, a company active in the thermal treatment of metals and equipped with a 200 kVA hydroelectric plant,
  • CBV, active in industrial fans and consumer of electricity, like the 2 other companies.

The site produces 1,200 MWh per year and consumes 800 MWh per year.

Objectives of the project

The aim is to test the benefits of local self-consumption on a micro-grid scale that brings together companies that consume electricity, renewable production (solar and hydro) and a storage unit.

How? By maximizing local energy exchanges between these three very complementary SMEs and by optimizing their interactions with the public electricity distribution network

Solution

The solution is made of:

  • 640 kW of CE+T power converters
  • 340kWh of storage (batteries)
  • Software (EMS and BMS)

All these elements are put in a container placed near the companies.

Batteries and converters MeryGrid

Communication is key

In order to synchronize every actor, we have studied the communication used by the actors and have developed a mean of communication between everyone. This is an important step in the development of the EMS.

MeryGrid - communication

A smart energy management

An intelligent computer platform (Energy Management System) optimizes the flow of electricity in real time, according to a hierarchy: priority is given to renewable energy production (photovoltaic and hydro) when it is available, then to the electricity stored in the battery, and when the battery is discharged, the system will draw electricity directly from the traditional network.

The system integrates in real-time the weather forecasts for the renewable productions, the energy stock according to the needs of the 3 companies of Méry and the variations of the energy prices on the national and international markets. Artificial intelligence allows complex decisions to be made. The EMS that manages the optimization of the microgrid is expected to save 15% on the energy bill.

 

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