Title : Innovating to net zero with smart energy systems
Abstract:
Digitalisation, decentralisation and decarbonisation are transforming approaches to the design and operation of industrial, business, and social systems across the globe. In this context, smart grids are electrical grids that include a variety of interoperable communication and control devices to optimally facilitate the production, distribution, and consumption of electricity. They are seen as key enablers in the decarbonisation of both industry and society, and along with renewable energy will power the smart and connected industries, businesses, and citizens of the future net zero digital economy. This talk will first outline innovative and disruptive smart systems for energy control and management developed within the context of the IDEAS, DR-BoB, InteGRIDy, REACT and VICPorts funded research and innovation projects. The talk will then focus on the development and deployment of system architectures for data-driven energy asset modelling and for distributed optimal (or near-optimal) control of energy assets in real-time within the context of a rolling-horizon optimization framework. The talk will also describe details of implementation within a Fog computing framework and will present simulation and practical results for algorithms tailored to dispatch of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, domestic smart appliances, wind turbines, HVAC loads and cargo handling equipment. Finally, it will outline some of the open issues and challenges in smart energy systems and opportunities for further research and innovation.
