Final Report Summary - OPEN-GAIN (Optimal engineering design for dependable water and power generation in remote areas using renewable energies and intelligent automation) A prototype plant for the cogeneration of water and electricity in arid remote areas powered by renewable energy sources (solar, wind) was built in Tunisia. A diesel generator is also used as a backup in case the renewable energy sources are sufficient to supply the plant and users with the necessary energy. For the desalination of brackish water a reverse-osmosis desalination unit was designed and built for the project OPEN-GAIN. A design support tool for such a plant was developed to help engineers by optimal sizing of various plant components in the design phase, such as wind turbine, photovoltaic modules, diesel generator and inverters. This enables the reduction of developing costs. The project also offers a solution to cost optimal co-production of energy and water, which is achieved through a high level of automation. For this purpose, an Energy management system (EMS) was developed to adapt the working conditions to the strongly varying renewable energy supply. The EMS takes into consideration the time varying demand for electricity and water and the weather forecast. For modelling and control of the plant components, a simulation library was also developed. The previously developed tools and strategies are flexible in such a way that they can be applied for similar plants for cogeneration of electricity and water. The prototype plant in Tunisia will be used for posterior research and teaching purposes and will serve as an example for know-how transfer to the industry as well. The OPEN-GAIN project offers a solution to cost optimal co-production of energy and water using renewable energy sources (photovoltaic, wind) besides diesel generators as a conventional energy source in remote arid areas. Cost optimisation is achieved through a high level of automation, which is necessary to adapt the working conditions to the strongly varying renewable energy supply. The approach is based on thorough modelling of the processes and offers a large degree of flexibility in the design to meet different production requirements. Many partial results of the project can be exploited by plant constructors and developers independently of the plant built. The developed tool for decision support will enable companies to reduce the developing costs. The library for the simulation of reverse osmosis process and filters that runs under the software packet EcosimPro supports engineers in the design face as it provides a better understanding of the process. The prototype plant built in Tunisia will be used for posterior research and teaching purposes and will serve as an example for know-how transfer to the industry as well. A policy for accessibility of the prototype for research and experimentation has been established. Documentos relacionados Final Report - OPEN-GAIN (Optimal engineering design for dependable water and power generation in remote areas using renewable energies and intelligent automation)
