The microgrid concept stands for the integration of distributed generation (DG) of electricity in an existing mid/low voltage power grid infrastructure. The size fo the microgrid is measured by its power generation capacity, and it can also have other nomenclatures due to this specification, such as mini-grid or nanogrid. Independently of its size, it may operate disconnected from the main grid as well. Either to feed the local point of generation or nearby points of power consumption.
However, the upcoming growth of DGs and the efficiency improvements on distributed energy resources (DER) have giving room to a new approach of the energy market for mid/low voltage power consumers. An opportunity to choose the energy source provider beyond the distribution utility, in other words, flexibility to choose upon energy type and different electricity prices. Unfortunately, proper coordination between this market and the current electric grid operation is a huge challenge.
The transactive energy (TE) is the concept looking to solve this issue. The objective is to have a system to better integrate DERs, to provide transparent energy prices, and to allow consumers of all sizes to trade energy without compromise the quality and reliability of the main electricity grid.
A one-size-fits-all solution is impracticable but blockchain comes in on good rescue. Although electric specifications of the distribution grid are almost the same worldwide, the electric sector directives might follow local energy capacity and potential, economic ambitions and mid-/long-term planning of the govern. This way several blockchain solutions are being developed under the aforementioned requirements.
The current Microgrid Transactive Energy Smart Contract is the result of a master degree on the look for a solution to implement the TE in the Brazilian micro/mini-grid context through a blockchain application. The thesis is also available online at the digital library of UERJ, at the UFRJ GESEL repository, and at the Bibliotecas da Energia's collection. The smart contract developed is only a small step towards a full micro/mini-grid distributed application (Dapp) but enough to assist the power exchange between consumers and prosumers (producers + consumers) through a transparent and secure management platform.
The current project was designed for interacting with the NEO Blockchain and can be tested online with NeoCompiler Eco at the EcoLab.
The C# algorithm implementation is on the folder neo-dapp under the file microgrid-dapp.cs.
As additional language implementations are expected, on the folder pseudo-code can be found generic flowcharts and information of the proposed system, (initially) echoed from the thesis.
This project is shared under the MIT License attribution.
SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT License
You're welcome to contribute to the project development! I'm still a newbie on code collaboration but the following Code of Conduct adapted from the Contributor Covenant looks fair for this project. Take a look at it and let's work together. 😎