Renewable Electric Power System for a Small Community
DongKeng electric power system demonstrates, the first time in Taiwan, a possible combination of renewable resources and energy storage in a small remote island community.
National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) and its supportive partners have built this demonstration system at DongKeng community, connected with the local grid, at the end of 2013.
The integrated smart grid demonstration system includes three transportable 20-feet long containers, 50kWp of solar photovoltaic modules and a 3kW wind turbine. Inside the containers there are 150kWh battery storage modules, power conversion system (PCS) modules, and the energy management systems (EMS) which is in charge of time-based pricing, weather forecasting data, power storage of the battery bank, and power consumption history of clients. One of the containers is equipped with a 5kW fuel cell power system to cope with emergency and backup conditions. By the end of 2014, this demonstration system has expanded its PCS, and its photovoltaic modules by 47kWp and battery storage modules by 150kWh. Most of the storage modules use retired Li-ion batteries.
Currently, the system provides 30 local community families’ large part electric power use. It successfully helps reduce power consumption by both monitoring and balancing supply and demand. In a nutshell, the DongKeng electric power system reduces peak consumption of the local grid and the amount of fossil fuels consumed by Lieyu, Kiemen.
We are anticipating more participation of academia, research institutes, and enterprises in this business so as to develop more reliable technologies and cost effective strategies in the way of constructing a chain of green energy industry. Only after our endeavors can we hand over a green and sustainable environment to all generations to come.