An Experimental Facility for Tests on Distributed Generation Systems

The core of this work is focused on the development of an experimental plant for wide optimization tests on distributed generation systems. The final objective regards the study of optimization techniques based on real-time software to be applied to general distributed generation systems. To demonstrate the software capability the experimental approach will be carried out through a laboratory plant composed of different types of cogeneration machines. This facility, named “Energy aNd Efficiency Research Demonstration District” (E-NERDD), is located inside the TPG’s laboratory at the University of Genoa (Savona site). All design, installation and test activities shown here were carried out in the framework of the European project “Energy-Hub for residential and commercial districts and transport” (E-HUB). This test rig is composed of four different prime movers operating in combined heat and power mode: a 100 kWe micro gas turbine, a 20 kWe internal combustion engine, a 3 kWe Stirling engine, and a 450 kWe fuel cell/gas turbine hybrid system emulator. This final facility is based on the coupling of a second 100 kWe modified turbine with a fuel cell system emulator composed of a cathodic modular vessel and an anodic circuit (based on a single stage ejector and an anodic vessel). Furthermore, this emulator rig is coupled with a real-time model for components not actually present in the facility, such as the fuel cell stack. The sizes of these prime movers were chosen with the aim to cover typical sizes of distributed generators (from few kilowatts to 100 kW) and on the basis of existing technology already available in the laboratory (the 100 kW turbine for the hybrid system emulator). While on the electrical side the facility is based on a direct connection with the campus grid, a new dual ringbased water distribution system, equipped with water storage systems, was developed for heating thermal energy. The facility also includes an absorption chiller able to be coupled to the thermal grid for investigating trigeneration options. Moreover, the rig is equipped with 1.1 kWp photovoltaic panels and 10 kWp thermal solar panels to be integrated in the thermal grid. The second part of this work is focused on experimental tests related to the performance of prime movers. Particular attention is focused on micro gas turbine, internal combustion engine, and hybrid system emulator performance.