Renewable Energy & BESS Microgrid Virtual Lab

1. Aim of the Experiment

Aim: To study the operation of renewable energy sources and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in a grid-connected microgrid using a time-domain simulation.

The virtual laboratory models photovoltaic generation, wind generation, electrical load, a bidirectional battery converter and utility-grid interaction.

The battery charges when renewable generation exceeds demand and discharges when renewable generation is insufficient.

PV Generation Wind Generation BESS Load Management Grid Exchange

2. Simulation Parameters

Solar Capacity (kW)

Wind Capacity (kW)

Peak Load (kW)

BESS Capacity (kWh)

BESS Maximum Power (kW)

Initial SOC (%)

Ready

3. Microgrid Single-Line / Energy Flow Diagram

4. Real-Time Operating Parameters

SOLAR OUTPUT

0.0

WIND OUTPUT

0.0

LOAD DEMAND

0.0

BESS POWER

0.0

kW (+ discharge / − charge)

BATTERY SOC

50.0

GRID EXCHANGE

0.0

kW (+ import / − export)

Battery State of Charge

SOC is limited to 10–100% to protect the simulated battery.

5. Simulation Graphs

Power Profile

Solar Wind Load BESS

Battery State of Charge

SOC

Grid Import / Export

Grid exchange

Energy Balance

Renewable energy Load energy

6. Mathematical Model & Calculations

6.1 Renewable Power

P_{PV} = P_{PV, rated} \times f_{solar}

P_{wind} = P_{wind, rated} \times f_{wind}

where f represents the normalized renewable generation profile, 0 ≤ f ≤ 1.

6.2 Net Power

P_{net} = P_{PV} + P_{wind} - P_{load}

Net power = 0.0 kW

6.3 Battery SOC Equation

{SOC}_{t + 1} = {SOC}_{t} - \frac{P_{BESS} Δ t}{E_{BESS}} \times 100

Positive battery power represents discharge. Negative battery power represents charging.

6.4 Power Balance

P_{grid} = P_{load} + P_{BESS} - P_{PV} - P_{wind}

Power balance = 0.0 kW

7. Live Calculation Panel

Instantaneous Power Calculation

P_{net} = 0 + 0 - 0

Pnet = 0 kW

Battery Energy Calculation

ΔE = P_{BESS} \times Δt

Battery energy change = 0.00 kWh

8. Simulation Data Table

Time (h)	Solar (kW)	Wind (kW)	Load (kW)	BESS (kW)	SOC (%)	Grid (kW)

9. Energy Summary

SOLAR ENERGY

0.0

kWh

WIND ENERGY

0.0

kWh

LOAD ENERGY

0.0

kWh

BATTERY CHARGE

0.0

kWh

BATTERY DISCHARGE

0.0

kWh

GRID IMPORT

0.0

kWh

10. Virtual Laboratory Procedure

Enter the rated capacity of the solar PV system and wind energy system.
Enter the peak electrical load and BESS capacity.
Set the maximum battery converter power and initial SOC.
Click Start to run the 24-hour microgrid simulation.
Observe the animated renewable-energy flow toward the AC microgrid bus.
Observe BESS charging during renewable-energy surplus.
Observe BESS discharging during renewable-energy deficit.
Observe utility-grid import and export.
Observe the battery SOC and power curves.
Use Step +1 h for point-by-point study.

11. Expected Observations

Solar generation approximately follows a daylight bell-shaped profile.
Wind generation varies independently from solar generation.
During renewable surplus, the animated power flow changes direction from the AC bus toward the BESS.
During renewable deficit, the BESS flow reverses toward the AC bus.
Grid flow reverses automatically between import and export depending on the power balance.
Flow animation speed increases with higher power levels.
Battery SOC changes according to charging and discharging.

12. Conclusion

The simulation demonstrates the coordinated operation of renewable energy sources, battery energy storage and utility-grid support in a microgrid. The animated single-line diagram provides a visual representation of instantaneous power transfer between PV, wind, BESS, load and the utility grid. The BESS improves renewable-energy utilization by storing surplus generation and supplying energy when renewable generation is inadequate.