As part of their registration, conference attendees are invited to participate in a site tour of the Microgrid Living Laboratory called IREC Energy SmartLab at the IREC facilities in Barcelona.

The microgrid lab is a living laboratory with capabilities to investigate different microgrid configurations and apply technologies related to energy flux transfer, power control, communications, electric vehicle, power systems and other technologies.

It is a living laboratory with capabilities to investigate different microgrid configurations and apply technologies related to energy flux transfer, power control, communications, electric vehicle, power systems and other technologies.

IREC Energy SmartLab provides unique emulation and testing facilities. It is currently operating with a number of configurable units. The units can be configured to work as energy generators (p.e. wind power), energy storage nodes or energy consumption nodes. Also, real storage systems (flywheel, super-capacitors and batteries), wind turbine emulators (SCIG, DFIG and PMSG) and PEV charging point are integrated. Finally, there is a grid emulator allowing studying different grid perturbations and configurations.

One main advantage of having a microgrid with emulated power systems is that it can analyse phenomena that arise in uncontrolled manner, such as weather fluctuations, in a rapid and easy way. A descriptive video can be found in the following link: https://vimeo.com/111393514

The communications architecture is composed of a hierarchical layer embodied by a central controller providing global management of the microgrid, and local controllers, located in the lower hierarchy layer. Additionally, the laboratory has different communication networks for configuration and operation in order to be capable of testing cyber-attacks.

The tour of the IREC microgrid lab will take place immediately after conclusion of the pre-conference workshop on "Women Leadership in Clean Energy Development," also to be held at the IREC meeting facility, on Monday, September 4, 13:00 - 15:00