He earned his Journeymans ticket in Diesel Plant Equipment in 1996, in 2001 he progressed onto farming where he successfully developed commercial biogas from Chicken waste, in the 2000’s he installed and commissioned biogas plants in Africa, he was awarded his first patent in 2007 He delivered a whitepaper on Zero waste livestock farming in 2009 at the annual biocycle conference, In 2010 he emigrated to the USA where he continued work in his original trade getting recertified as a GE, dealing in large bore diesel and gas power generators, he utilized his skills to develop processes to reduce waste and improve efficiency in LV equipment. In 2015 he utilized loadbanks in testing of turbines, and ICE generating sets. His research and utilization of automation in generator testing resulted in the granting of his second patent and the completion of his third patent. He is passionate about reducing waste and maximizing electricity production from multiple sources.
With the increased demand for electricity due to the rapid expansion of EV charging infrastructure, climate changing weather events, frequent breakdowns of aging transmission and distribution infrastructure and a shift towards smaller, more environmentally responsible forms of renewable sources of energy, a shift towards microgrids are increasing in growth and popularity. Different forms of Power Generating Sources (PGS’s) are utilized in microgrids.
Methods. The integration of effective metering and communication between all PGS’s and load banks has allowed the re-utilization of waste electricity to serve multiple roles and functions, this has delivered positive results and is easily transferred to existing and fledgling microgrids.
Results Pop-up Microgrids in PSPS events have become more popular and feasible in providing small to medium size transmission and distribution of electricity. The lessons learned in these exercises have been integrated easily into small to medium size microgrids in the recent past, Due to the differing characteristics of the PGS’s, it is a challenge to efficiently engage the combined PGS’s in harmony and have them share and carry the load of the microgrid with minimal harmonic distortion Solar, Battery storage, Wind and Fossil fueled PGS each have their own personality and unique ‘quirks’. With load banks being able to perform various functions automatically by monitoring and responding to individual PGS’s needs and demands, efficiency is improved and waste electricity is diverted to where it is required.
Discussion The main useful functions of load banks mentioned in this paper represent individual desired functions. Maximizing the symbiosis in this microsystem by creating a common network and protocol environment between all components in the microgrid, adaptive automation is achieved. Load banks now respond and adapt to conditions in real-time and reduce waste electricity. Refinements in translation of protocols into a standardization of SAE J1939 and CANOPEN from RS485 and MODBUS protocols contribute to the robustness of the framework with load banks utilizing a listen and respond approach, rather than broadcasting commands which minimize traffic congestion. Integration of fiber-optic hardware minimizes volt drop along network routes and improves traffic flow in the network. Remote telemetry minimizes fault finding and common alarms are easily addressed remotely. Instituting EV charging, and battery storage charging infrastructure on the backend of parasitic load banks in the microgrid environment maximizes otherwise wasted electricity whilst performing automated functions.
KEYWORDS: – solar, wind, battery storage, portable generators, sync skid, inverter, Medium Voltage, multi-tap transformer, micro-grids, CANBUS, RS-485, MODBUS, load bank, diesel, natural gas, Public Safety Power shutoff, Remote telemetry, EV charging infrastructure, SAE J1939
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Attendees will be shown how to integrate current and emerging technology to utilize waste in electricity distribution to end users and consumers whilst simultaneously minimizing downtime . Electricity that is normally wasted in microgrids can be re-utilized for additional power capacity.
