Urban Microgrid Design : Case Study of a Neighborhood in Lisbon

Abstract: Urban microgrids are smart and complex energy systems that help integrate renewables into our cities, turning our neighborhoods into partly energy self-sufficient hubs. Moreover, they create the space for electricity transactions between neighbors, transforming the former consumers into prosumers. The following work proposes the implementation of an urban microgrid to a neighborhood in Lisbon, Portugal. This dissertation’s objective is designing and discovering the optimal photovoltaic and storage capacity, optimal electricity dispatch, effects of distributed energy production in grid voltage and economic viability of such a system. With this purpose, a comprehensive model was elaborated, considering specific site weather data, electric loads, grid topology and utility tariffs. The self-sufficiency of Arco do Cego was found to be 66% in this study, reducing its carbon footprint by 61%. A detailed map of where to place each PV system and battery bank was generated, with specific electricity dispatch strategies. Moreover, the system was designed under real grid voltage, current and power flow constraints.