We believe that a great system design should hide complexities and minimise constraints on users expressing their creativity.
This belief has led Smart Microgrid to develop a unique and innovative solution that exploits spreadsheets as a simulation tool that enables non-programmers such as computer literate, business and engineering professionals to construct complex synthetic models without the need to know or write any computer code. We think this is an attractive capability for a number of reasons:
Spreadsheet is one of the earliest and most established computer logic programs. MS Excel for example has countless features and supports many 3rd party plug-ins, further increasing potentialites.
Supports Microsoft Excel, Google sheets and Apple Numbers. Platforms such as Google sheets facilitate online multi user collaboration.
Users can test the behavior of the synthetic model by simply saving the spreadsheet. There is no need to maintain, debug or even view any code.
A simulation can accurately determine the optimal size and configuration of the Distributed Energy Resource (DERs) to achieve the most desirable outcome during the procurement phase. For example, the user can easily review the dynamic performance of a particular DER using the historic or live data stream from their specific location. Such capability helps the user confidently select of the appropriate DER for their site.
Writing code is generally a time consuming and repetitive process. Designing a synthetic model with spreadsheet eliminates the need to write code and allows the user to focus on expressing the model’s desired behavior which can later be employed as the operation mode using the same spreadsheet.
Our simulation software utilises the same systems and cloud infrastructure as the Smart Microgrid Controller (SMC); supporting an instant swap of a simulation with a real entity. This is particularly advantageous when simulation is employed to establish the appropriate operation configuration prior to commissioning of an additional DER.
The process of outlining the synthetic model’s behaviour in an spreadsheet essentially produces the synthetic model itself which consequently, streamlines the whole model construction process by merging the spec requirements and model design processes into one seamless step.
Spreadsheets are based on the Directed Acyclic Graph mathematical model which is particularly well suited to constructing policies for microgrid management systems.
Spreadsheet can subscribe to inbound data streams from other devices, the internet or utilise historic data to influence its own policy decisions.
Policy module plug-in runs the spreadsheet as compiled python. Policy modules can run anywhere within the SMC cloud or the physical host devices (SMC Mediation Device).
The data streams from the spreadsheet create live dashboards, reports and alerts that are identical to the ones from a real entity (i.e. generator, consumer, sensor etc…)
Live data stream from sensors drives the synthetic model e.g. anemometer
Stored wind speed (m/s) from can be used to model a wind turbine performance at a specific location
A polynomial formula is produced from the power curve table which can be used in a spreadsheet cell to generate power (kW) from the wind speed (m/s)
Real time ‘Active Power’ panel from the synthetic WT.
Overlay the WT generation with real time consumption to visualise how much of the consumption will be supplied by renewables.