Designing and sizing autonomous microgrids: the example of TwInSolar

Electricity grids today are still based on a largely centralized architecture, in which energy flows are directed from production poles to consumption poles. However, numerous research studies are calling for a change in organization: decentralized networks, made up of a multitude of interconnected energy communities, would facilitate local energy management and the integration of renewable energies. In this paradigm, each microgrid is responsible for managing its energy production and consumption locally, and must therefore decide on the ideal means of production and the energy management actions to be integrated, the means of flexibility to be implemented and the management strategies to be adopted.

This article presents ERMESS, an algorithmic optimization and decision support tool for microgrid design. It enables the optimal dimensioning of microgrid energy systems according to specific objectives. In particular, it offers the user optimal choices in terms of the generation technologies to be used, the energy storage technology(ies) to be installed and their associated sizing, energy management strategies and demand management strategies.

This article details the algorithmic methodology used for ERMESS. It also presents the conditions of use, the assumptions and the information that can be extracted by the user. Finally, the use of ERMESS on a specific case study is described in detail: the dimensioning of microgrid components on the university campus of Terre-Sainte, on the island of La Réunion.