17/12/2015 KIT and Easy Smart Grid complete joint master thesis
The Institute for Industrial Production (IIP) at KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), chaired by Prof. Wolf Fichtner, specializes in techno-economic optimization of the energy value chain. The transformation of the energy system with a specific focus on future markets and innovation therefore is of high interest to this institute. Consequently it proposed a joint master thesis with Easy Smart Grid to apply its competence and tools to validate the effects of decentral control Easy Smart Grid promises to achieve.
On December 17th, 2015, Martin Burkhard gave the final presentation on his findings. He had compared the impact of a simple decentral algorithm shifting a single load (in this case, a water desalination unit), with the performance of an omniscient central optimisation. Through the support of Tonga Power, which provided real data of this pacific ocean state which today is fully dependent on expensive and climate damaging diesel energy, he could show that this allows to integrate more PV electricity and leads to lower energy cost. To his surprise, this approach is also more economical than the use of batteries. Also, decentral optimisation achieved nearly the same results as central optimisation. A very encouraging result for anybody wishing to apply DSM in general and Easy Smart Grid in particular!
You can access the full presentation and master thesis documents, with special thanks to the author, Martin Burkhard!