Smartglow (Smart Green Energy System for AA-low) was awarded €1.9m by the Portuguese Innovation Agency.

With this subvention, the Smartglow project will test new solar-powered flexible solutions for the supply of electricity in situations where the power network is not a solution, namely in remote areas like the SKA sites in Australia and South Africa.

Smartglow explores the concept of hybrid micro-networks from the industrial sector. Overall, Smartglow will implement a pilot, standalone off-grid system composed of a PV production unit, a storage unit, a new generation inverter with digital control and reduced interference footprint, shelter with adequate RFI mitigation coupled to a small SKA/LFAA station (up to 16 or 32 antennas) incorporating as well the latest smartgrid gear. To experimental validation of the set of requirements, the consortium decided to implement within the scope of the project a pilot at one of the extremes of demand in terms of consumption-needs and the control or mitigation of the associated electromagnetic interference created by energy conversion as it is expected for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA equipment).

According to João Matos (Executive Board Member of DSTgroup), “SKA is an exciting project and will be one of the greatest scientific infrastructures created by man. Smart glow intends to develop and implement a complex integrated energy and telecommunications solution that will be able to respond not only to SKA´s demanding requirements but will also be able to provide solutions to other demanding off-grid energy systems, with a reduced carbon footprint”.

The expected outcome of Smartglow project is a renewable, scalable, reliable electric power supply system with a reduced carbon footprint, key characteristics expected for major research infrastructures and future telecommunications, and industrial facilities.

The project is led by the DSTgroup and counting with Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC), Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT), and Instituto Politécnico de Beja from ENGAGE SKA, and sponsored by ANI/P202.

About the project SKA - vídeo source: Australia National Science Agency (CSIRO)

Frontpage photo credits: CSIRO

Synopsis of the project: