No one had light – but the University of Coimbra had. Microrede saved the day

University of Coimbra has an electric micrrede that replaces diesel emergency generators for maximum periods, up to 72h.

On Monday, the vast majority of people living in Portugal and Spain was out of light. It was the largest that there is memory.

But there were some “survivors”: hospitals, hypermarkets or some media, for example. The generators were “holding” the energy for those hours.

Also University of Coimbra It was a sturdy: it continued with light – but it was not thanks to a generator.

It was thanks to a microrrede.

The Institute of Systems and Robotics (ISR) of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC) has a resilient electric micrrede.

It was developed at the Department of FCTUC Electrical and Computer Engineering (DEEC).

Alexandre Matias Correia, a student of the Master in Electrical Engineering ISR/FTUC, explains how it works: “Micrors are a technology that allows you to have a electrical system independent of the electric grid Inserted in a specific and defined geographical area, such as a building, neighborhood or small location ”.

“They are used to provide electricity in remote areas where infrastructure is weak or nonexistent, to optimize energy efficiency, costs and renewable energy integration and, in extreme cases, Ensure the supply of electricity to customers covered itself when everything else fails ”analyzes, in a statement sent to ZAP.

This system serves large buildings or energy communities, which can guarantee electrical supply to critical loads during extreme or catastrophic situations, where public power grid fails (as on blackout day).

That is, last Monday, April 28, was a day of real test: and the system has been approved.

MicroRade managed to provide electricity to the critical loads of the building and autonomously of the public network.

The system focuses on resilience and is designed precisely to provide electricity to critical loads (replacing diesel emergency generators) During prolonged periods of time (up to 72h).

Has a photovoltaic system Dedicated, two battery systems, specialized power equipment for network management and synchronization and bidirectional charging for electric vehicles.

The photovoltaic system allows to “feed the local power grid through the energy stored in electric vehicles, which enables further increase the duration of electricity supplyas well as providing power in places where infrastructure is nonexistent or damaged, ”continues Alexandre Matias.

The microrede also has a regenerative capacity: It uses photovoltaic panels and a cargo management system to recharge during the day, further prolonging the supply to critical loads.