Skarabee: Toward self-organized ad-hoc microgrids

The Skarabee project aims at implementing the concept of an ad-hoc network in the realm of smart power grids. More specifically we aim toward an ad-hoc self-organized microgrid based on fully distributed coordination between intelligent power routing nodes. This idea emerged by observing the evolution and the challenges of both current smartgrids and computer networks. In the realm of computing systems, the shift from rigid centralized designs toward dynamic decentralized models has finally led to the development of fully distributed systems that do not even depend on an underlying communication infrastructure, namely ad-hoc wireless networks. Accordingly, the primary goal of this project is to develop an adaptive, scalable, and reliable system to support energy provisioning with limited infrastructural planning. In particular, we envision support for emergency response crews in disaster relief situations, enabling the deployment of autonomous isolated microgrids which can adapt and reconfigure themselves dynamically.

Amos Brocco. “Fully Distributed Power Routing for an Ad hoc Nanogrid”. The IEEE International Workshop on Intelligent Energy Systems (IWIES) , Vienna, Austria. November 2013. {Accepted}

Amos Brocco. Ad-hoc Self-Organized Microgrid for Rural Electrification and Post-Disaster Response. Fifth Annual Green Technologies Conference, IEEE Greentech 2013, Denver, Colorado, USA. April 2013

Nodes are based on the Olinuxino board from Olimex.

Arch Linux Setup

Simulation Tool

Amos Brocco

Stefano Guatieri

Nathan Koefer

This project is funded by the Hasler Foundation, project n° 12063, and by SUPSI.

Private Wiki Access