Multi-energy Smart-grids

Territories at all scales are committed to the energy and ecological transition. Multi-energy networks - electricity, heat and gas - are at the heart of this change and must now integrate new production, consumption and flexibility technologies. This challenge combines with the digital transition to make networks even more intelligent.

The CEA at INES is developing solutions for the deployment and operation of intelligent multi-energy networks.

Our laboratories design digital solutions for the dimensioning, control and coupling of networks. They carry out prospective studies and energy mix studies for territories.

Solutions for the deployment and operation of multi-energy smart grids

Optimised system and grid design

Meeting the challenges of the energy transition means also addressing the economic challenges. It is important to select the most efficient technologies adapted to each situation, and to size them as precisely as possible.

The CEA at INES develops simulation tools to help in the optimal dimensioning of systems and networks. This panel of softwares addresses various applications, and takes into account several criteria simultaneously. It is based on libraries of models (PV system, electrical and thermal storage, electric vehicles and other consumptions, network infrastructures) resulting from tests on our platforms.

Intelligent management

New energy systems introduce new challenges and opportunities for networks. Innovative business models are emerging that are changing markets. These challenges require intelligent management of systems and networks enabled by digital technologies.

The CEA at INES develops energy management solutions (EMS Energy Management System). These solutions integrate predictive piloting and real-time control strategies. Their development requires the mastery of mathematical optimization methods. They use an information system for the feedback of operating data and the sending of instructions.

Our researchers adapt the strategies to each use case in order to maximize the services provided, such as micro grid stability, system services, and sales on the energy markets.

Coupling energy vectors and networks at different scales

The optimal energy mix for a territory must benefit from the advantages of different vectors and their networks (electricity, gas, heat). Coupling them opens up new opportunities to dimension and manage territorial energy systems more finely.

The CEA laboratories at INES are active in each vector network specifically and their coupling, both for their design and their management. This work is carried out at all relevant geographical scales whether they are connected to or isolated from the continental network: from the neighborhood to the city and its distribution network, from the national territory to the continental plate, industrial and island micro-grids.

PLATFORMS AND EQUIPMENT OF EXCELLENCE

Digital platform for simulation and optimisation of complex systems management

Low-voltage electric micro-grid, equipped with SCADA, with 6 independent sub-grids, 150 kW of configurable solar fields, 120 kVA/160 kWh storage capacity, generators with a power of 130 kVA

Power Hardware-In-the-Loop platform: 4 real-time targets, photovoltaic simulators (200 kW), storage (250 KVA), grid (45 kVA), and load (130 kVA)

20 charging points for electric vehicles

INCAS platform: experimental equipment on scale 1 in outdoor climate : analysis of 200 monofacial and bifacial panels on adapted supports limiting the effects of shading on the rear face, 17 strings of 3 to 4 kWp equipped with 20 reference cells (front and rear faces), around twenty temperature probes per monitored system, 17 current and voltage measurement systems, a field for analysing the panels in a vertical position, unit modules for measuring I-V curves, a 1-axis tracker, a pyranometer, several floor coverings for albedo analysis, 4 experimental houses of 100 m² each.

CALORIE : Experimental heat and cold micro-network, equipped with a SCADA system, with 2 independent heat and cold networks, different means of producing heat (300 m² of solar thermal collectors, 50 kW thermofrigopump, 280 kW condensing gas boiler) and cold (50 kW thermofrigopump), 100 kW absorption machine), thermal storage solutions (sensitive hot 40 m3 and cold 5 m3), and semi-virtual benches enabling loads to be emulated to test innovative substations (bi-directional, low-temperature, etc.).