CampusGrid, an autonomous energy microgrid that integrates electricity generation, storage and distribution technologies, was inaugurated this Thursday (21). With the installation of CampusGrid, an area of approximately 140 thousand square meters of Unicamp's Barão Geraldo campus – comprising the Cesar Lattes Central Library (BCCL) and Fausto Castilho Rare Works Library (Bora), the Multidisciplinary Gymnasium (GMU) and the School of Physical Education (FEF) – will have energy distribution operations independent of the main grid, and can operate even during periods of power outages, such as blackouts. CampusGrid equipment was installed in the BCCL parking lot, next to the Unicamp electric shuttle bus refueling station, and the inauguration event was held in the auditorium of the Institute of Geosciences (IG).
The development of the microgrid is the result of a partnership between Unicamp, the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), CPFL Energia, Aneel, the Advanced Institute of Technology and Innovation (IATI), the companies in the sector Eletra Energy and Hexing, the China Electrical Engineering Research Institute (Cepri) and the North China University of Electrical Engineering.
The launch was attended by Unicamp’s rector, Antonio Meirelles; Professor Luiz Carlos Pereira da Silva, coordinator of the Microgrid Project and the Sustainable Campus Office; Gustavo Estrella, president of CPFL; Sylvio de Almeida and Caio Marinelli, representing the state secretariats of Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics and Economic Development, respectively; Rogério Menezes, municipal secretary of Climate, Environment and Sustainability of Campinas; Daobiao Chen, chairman of the board of directors of CPFL; Guo Qiang, vice-rector of Cepri; Tianshu Bi, vice-president of the North China University of Electrical Engineering; and Chunshan Cao, sales director of Hexing.
“For us at CPFL, it is a privilege to have Unicamp as a partner institution,” Estrella highlighted regarding the investments made by the company in projects of this type. The initiative was also welcomed by representatives of the state government. “All of these initiatives are in line with the policies implemented by the State Secretariat of Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics,” stated Sylvio de Almeida.
According to the rector, the cooperation between Unicamp and CPFL is one of the most developed over the years, and was important for the University to begin its own energy transition process. Meirelles mentioned the importance of the inauguration taking place shortly after the G20 meeting in the country and the signing of several agreements between Brazil and China, also recalling that in 2024, diplomatic relations between the two countries will complete 50 years. “This is a great moment to renew this successful collaboration for another 50 years,” he pointed out.
The rector also highlighted that the launch of CampusGrid reinforces the importance of Unicamp in the production of science and technology in the country, accounting for 8% of all national production. “We are a reference in investing in innovative activities and in using our internal structure to develop technologies,” he commented.
Representatives of Chinese institutions noted that the research carried out in Brazil serves as a boost for efforts made by other institutions and companies in the energy transition technology sector. “We are confident that this project will be an important guide for the development of the sector,” Chunshan Cao said.
Operating autonomy
CampusGrid development and installation are part of Merge (Microgrids for Efficient, Reliable and Greener Energy), a research and development project by the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), with funding from CPFL Energia, whose objective is to develop, test and implement microgrids in different contexts, dimensions and stages of maturity and flexibility. In addition to CampusGrid, the project includes two other microgrids, one experimental, on a laboratory scale, and another installed in a condominium in Campinas. In total, R$45,3 million is invested in the project, including research funding and technology implementation. “There have been eight years of projects and many challenges faced since the installation of our first photovoltaic plant on campus. Today, these challenges have reached a new level,” recalled Silva.
What characterizes a microgrid is its ability to operate autonomously from the main power grid. Currently, even if they produce enough energy for their own consumption, facilities that rely on solar panels cannot operate independently, which results in power outages during blackouts, for example. Projects such as Merge aim to develop technologies that enable autonomous operation, increasing the participation of renewable energy sources in the country's electricity grid, such as photovoltaic and wind power, and providing greater security to places such as industries, hospitals and remote communities.
CampusGrid has a 1MW/1,27 MWh storage and battery system, a 250 kVA gas generator, grounding and power transformers, and low and medium voltage cabins. The structure uses energy produced by solar panels installed at the GMU, FEF, Bora, the photovoltaic kiosk, and the electric bus refueling station. Together, they have the potential to generate 565 kWp, equivalent to the energy consumption of 400 low-income homes for one month. The entire microgrid operation will be done by intelligent control software.
The estimate is that the structure will generate annual savings of around R$450 for the university. “This pilot project is important for us to face challenges and to train professionals who can contribute to the microgrid market in Latin America,” Silva emphasizes, praising Unicamp’s pioneering role in the sector. “No university in Latin America has a structure like this.”
