In Puertollano (Ciudad Real, Spain) the pilot plant is carried out, directed by the National Center for Experimentation of Hydrogen Technologies and Fuel Cells (CNH2) that integrates the combined cooling, heating and energy microgrids with improved energy quality functionalities for the rehabilitation of public buildings with critical loads towards a zero energy balance building (nZEB).
CNH2 is highly dependent on long-term trials aimed at validating new components, systems or processes related to hydrogen technologies. The scientific equipment used for this activity is highly sensitive to losses in the quality of the energy. In addition, the location of this pilot corresponds to a climate characterized by a strong continental component, with extreme temperatures in winter and summer.
The innovation approaches of this pilot are applied to three different fields:
- Power quality control system.
The energy quality control service in this pilot plant is guaranteed and improved through the integration of a microgrid, whose energy flow is controlled in island mode and connected to the grid, by means of a two-level voltage source inverter with four wires with active neutral control. To monitor voltage waveform disturbances across various connected loads, a network of IoT power quality sensors is integrated into the building. - Comfort system.
The comfort system is improved by installing a geothermal recovery system connected to a heat and cold energy storage system based on phase change materials. - Energy management system.
The energy management system is based on microgrids with both solar and wind generation, a hybrid electrical energy storage system made up of hydrogen, batteries and an ultracapacitor, achieving a high power and high energy density storage system.
In addition, an advanced control system is implemented in order to improve the service life and economic competitiveness of the energy storage system.