Simulation-Based Sizing and Impact Study of Microgrid on a University Campus

Advances in technology and economic incentives have led to the proliferation of photovoltaics (PV) in electric grids. Toward the end of the 2010's decade PVs have proven themselves to be just as economically viable in producing power compared to the power produced by central generation utility plants. Large-scale customers have taken notice of the potential PVs have in reducing their utility costs. A microgrid is simulated on the Ball State University Campus. The purpose of this simulation is to model the impact a PV and BESS microgrid has on a campus distribution system and use the component and generation price to generate a viable power purchase agreement (PPA) with a payback period of 20 years. Three programs were used to simulate the microgrid components. Aurora Solar simulates PV placement and power production on interactive satellite maps, REopt Lite simulates the resiliency of the BESS, and OpenDSS simulates the distribution lines and the impact of the added PVs and BESS on the overall distribution system. A viable microgrid was simulated with a BESS providing 3-hour reserve power in islanded mode and the total payback period amounted to 16 years.