REGINA — The University of Regina (U of R) has given a glimpse into the future of renewable energy, unveiling Sask. first microgrid living lab.
A microgrid is a self-contained energy system which generates, stores, and distributes electricity.
While microgrids have been around for decades now, what makes the U of R one unique is it's a sandbox for energy innovation.
“Normally, a microgrid at home doesn’t have the ability to alter settings without causing damage or problems to the main grid connectivity,” said Dr. Irfan Al-Anbagi, director of the microgrid living lab.
However, the microgrid at the university “can change active power, peak shaving parameters, and you can also do experiments on the system. It’s very user-friendly,” added Al-Anbagi.
The university uses dozens of solar panels on top of the Greenhouse Gas Technology Centre to produce renewable energy. Each solar panel can supply up to 10 kilowatts, said Al-Anbagi.
He noted a 10-kilowatt solar system is enough to power multiple homes or a residential building.
Once the solar panels have generated energy, it’s transferred into batteries located inside the lab. The battery storage system is at 34.4 kilowatt-hours but can be scaled up at any time, he mentioned.
After the batteries are fully charged, energy is fed into the university's own power system. This means the grid could power anything from a light to the school's AC. The grid can also be used to charge electric vehicles through charging stations at the Greenhouse Gas Technology Centre if there is enough power in the batteries or power is being supplied by the solar panels.
Power from the university can also go back into the grid, charging the batteries if needed, said Al-Anbagi.
The microgrid lab has been in , and is part of the U of R to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
As it stands, the microgrid can power under 10 per cent of the school's total energy, though Al-Anbagi sees the potential to expand its usage.
He also outlined three directions he wants to see the microgrid living lab take: student research, teaching, and small to medium-sized enterprises developing their own research methods.
Currently, two students participate in lab research, which Al-Anbagi wants to see expanded. He also mentioned multiple enterprises have expressed interest in the system.
The U of R believes the microgrid living lab can shape the future of renewable energy for communities across Sask. and beyond.
