The Picogrid is a low-cost low-power experimental platform for energy access and energy management modeling needs., Pico boards, a cloud dashboard, and a remote node as seen in the image below.
This study establishes and categorizes six control strategies as the primary conceptual foundation for developing control models for new microgrid applications. The control approaches mentioned are adaptive, intelligent, predictive, robust, linear, and nonlinear.
By incorporating renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and advanced control systems, microgrids help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote the use of clean and sustainable energy sources.
In this paper, a smart microgrid implemented in Paracas, Ica, Peru, composed of 6kWp PV + 6kW Wind and that provides electricity to a rural community of 40 families, was studied using a data science approach.
Using a thematic, literature-based approach, the research investigates how smart microgrids— integrating renewable energy sources such as solar with IoT technologies—can improve energy access, reliability, and cost-efficiency in underserved communities.
The system eliminates the stranded costs of traditional diesel generators while offering a healthy return on investment through optimizing renewable solar generation, which drives a reduction in GHG emissions that supports Costa Rica's goal to be the world's first carbon-neutral.