Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T)

Missouri University of Science and Technology – Lead battery solar microgrids

Consortium Launches Study of Lead Battery Solar Microgrids in Homes

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Missouri S&T EcoVillage Project

The Consortium for Battery Innovation (CBI) has joined other members of the Missouri S&T Microgrid Industrial Consortium to provide resources for the construction of advanced lead battery microgrids at the Missouri S&T EcoVillage. Two on-campus high-tech homes will act as ”living laboratories” for studying renewable energy sources – and storage – for communities of the future. The project’s duration is 2018 – 2021.

"This project will enrich the learning experiences of S&T students, while also deepening the knowledge of many stakeholders with the real-world application of a grid-tied residential system with solar power generation and energy storage.” Grant Grunewald, Engineering Support Manager, EnerSys

EnerSys battery bank

Goal

The demonstration microgrids will allow research on the performance of advanced lead batteries in a small solar-based microgrid and in the economic aspects of sharing energy at the local/neighborhood level.

NorthStar battery bank

Background

The Missouri S&T EcoVillage is a small neighborhood comprised of solar homes designed by S&T students for competition at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon. The microgrids will initially power the 2013 and 2015 solar homes. The university plans to expand EcoVillage into a “community of tomorrow,” with a total of six solar houses that will help advance renewable energy microgrid research, sustainable infrastructure, and human technology interaction. The site will provide the capability for hands-on training in renewable energy and microgrid technologies.

Participant Contributions

*Based in Missouri:

Technical Specifications

Each house has an AC combiner and critical load distribution load center panel board. AC-coupled advanced lead battery back-up system consists of:

Unique charge algorithms on how to control the batteries Installations local to each house installed on existing 240/120V 2-pole single-phase utility feed include:

"This project provides the opportunity to demonstrate the performance capability and longterm durability of advanced lead batteries as a critical component in the adaptation of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar.” Dr. Frank Fleming, Co-Founder, NorthStar

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