Miguel de-Simón-Martín

University of Leon | UNILEON · Department of Electrical Engineering, Systems and Automation

Recent advancements in sensor technologies have significantly improved the monitoring and control of various energy parameters, enabling more precise and adaptive management strategies for smart microgrids. This work presents a novel model of an energy management system (EMS) for grid-connected polygeneration microgrids that allows optimizing the m...

A resilient photovoltaic system, which comprises the joint use of photovoltaic solar panels and electrochemical storage that is capable of operating both with and without grid connection, is capable of providing an added service both during normal grid-connected operation and when a blackout occurs (as opposed to a traditional solar system, which i...

This manuscript proposes to study different cases that require the use of renewable energies in addition to diesel generators and energy storage systems with the aim of increasing the resilience of a microgrid feeding critical facilities. The aim of the work here presented is to quantify the benefits provided by an improvement of the energy resilie...

This chapter analyses the benefits from both a business-related and energy resilience perspectives provided by a microgrid based on photovoltaic solar energy/electrochemical storage. We present a case study that demonstrates how a microgrid can be used to an office building not open to the general public (that is, for the exclusive use of office bu...

Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are being deployed all around the World as a technically feasible solution to decreasing users' dependence on fossil fuels. Several demonstration facilities have shown their potential to provide final consumers with clean energy and all associated environmental benefits. However, the economic evaluation of these...

The use of aluminum-based products is widespread and growing, particularly in industries such as automotive, food packaging, and construction. Obtaining aluminum is expensive and energy-intensive, making the recycling of existing products essential for economic and environmental viability. This work explores the potential of using green hydrogen as...

By using various smart sensors integrated in a global domotic system, a proper solar thermal management is executed. The goal is to properly manage solar energy for heating swimming pool using various devices installed at home. Swimming pools are a necessity in many communities. In summer, they are a source of refreshment. However, maintaining a sw...

Spain was one of the pioneers in the deployment of wind energy systems worldwide and thus since 2014 has a potential for repowering that reaches between 3.3 and 8.7 GW in 2021 (12%–32% of its current installed wind capacity). However, despite the technical and economic advantages, we have observed little interest from promoters in the repowering of...

The success of the Energy Communities not only relies on technology development, where impressive improvements have been made in the last few years, but also in the economic feasibility. Otherwise, the sustainability of any project can be compromised. It is well known that, in the power systems and energy management field, techno-economic decisions...

In this chapter we present the fundamentals of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOEn) focusing on renewable power plants and multi-vector energy systems. After having introduced the basic formulation for the LCOEn, we extend its definition to polygeneration systems, hybrid systems (generators working in parallel with energy storage devices as a singl...

In this chapter we present the results of the calculation of the LCOEn for three representative case studies. The first case study is the Smart Polygeneration Microgrid (SPM) at the Savona Campus of the University of Genoa (Italy), a low voltage microgrid which includes both thermal and electrical generators and loads. The second case study is the...

Energy Communities can help to satisfy our energy needs in a more sustainable and efficient manner. Since 2019, the European Union is strongly promoting their development; amoung the European countries, Spain and Italy are taking a leading role in this paradigm change. However, additional regulatory and technical steps must be carried out to move i...

In the current context of mandatory growth of renewable energy sources for electrical supply, in order to reduce CO2 emissions in the process of electricity generation, it is worth interest to evaluate the feasibility of the deployment of new large solar photovoltaic production facilities. This study seeks to analyze the costs and benefits of this...

A resilient photovoltaic system, which comprises from the joint use of photovoltaic solar panels and electrochemical storage that is able to operate both with and without grid connection, is capable of providing an added service both during normal grid-connected operation and when a blackout occurs (as opposed to a traditional solar system). When t...

Expectations for hydrogen as a clean substitute of fossil fuels can be met in a very near future, driven by the inevitable energy transition towards a decarbonized economy. The green hydrogen technology will play a fundamental role in transport, residential uses and, in a very relevant way, the industrial sector. This work aims to carry out an upda...

It is widely common for distribution network operators to impose restrictions on delivered solar photovoltaic (PV) generated power when the power-plant-rated power is greater than the maximum allowed power due to the distribution network capacity. Thus a feasible solution to maximize the performance of the solar power plant is the integration of ba...

Fracking is a technology used for the extraction of shale gas contained in rocks on the Earth’s surface. The main characteristic of this method is that it consists of injecting pressurized water into the ground, thus creating a series of fractures through which the gas comes out to be collected later. Fracking has a number of both socio-economic an...

Currently, district energy systems allow long-distance distribution of energy and the use of renewable energies, increasing their interest in the fight against global warming and the energy crisis. This paper presents the current deployment of heat and cold distribution networks in Spain in order to analyze their technical and economic potential, o...

The impact assessment of energy strategies, more specifically those that promote an integrated approach on resource management in other sectors such as water and food, requires knowledge related to the evaluation of the quality and knowledge that may be estimated by quantitative means. The present paper makes inquiries into those knowledge requirem...

This manuscript proposes to study different cases that require the use of renewable energies in addition to diesel generators and energy storage systems with the aim of increasing the resilience of a microgrid feeding critical facilities. The aim of the work here presented is to quantify the benefits provided by an improvement of the energy resilie...

Solar photovoltaic (PV) plants coupled with storage for domestic self-consumption purposes seem to be a promising technology in the next years, as PV costs have decreased significantly, and national regulations in many countries promote their installation in order to relax the energy requirements of power distribution grids. However, electrochemica...

Climate change conditions in the last decades have derived in a significant reduction of rivers’ levels, irregularity of rainfall and, thus, difficulties in accessing to drinkable water. This situation is especially dramatical in islanded environments, such as the Canary Islands in Spain, where these restrictions to water resources have conducted t...

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) energy generation will be one of the main energy generation technologies in the inner future thanks to the recent and significant reduction of involved costs. One of the most promising and lowest cost technologies is the thin-film PV modules technology. Their currently lower performance than single-Si PV modules is compensat...

Agricultural and livestock biogas exploitation trough co-digestion power plants is still poorly deployed in Europe -e.g., in Spain, this Renewable Energy Source (RES) represents only the 0.17% of installed RES capacity- although most authors agree and even EU Directive 2009/28/EU stipulates that biogas and this type of energy can contribute to a re...

The aim of this study is to evaluate the application of the main hazardous waste management techniques in mining operations and in dumping sites being conscious of the inter-linkages and inter-compartment of the contaminated soils and sediments. For this purpose, a systematic review of the literature on the reduction or elimination of different pot...

It results widely common for distribution network operators to impose restrictions on delivered solar photovoltaic generated power when the power plant rated power is greater than the maximum allowed due to the distribution network capacity. Thus, a feasible solution to maximize the performance of the solar power plant is the integration of battery...

Despite the Spanish privileged geographical location and business leadership in the renewable energy field, currently is can be observed that the solar photovoltaic generation, electric self-consumption systems and net-metering policies deployment is much lower than it can be observed in other countries, even with lower energy sources for self-cons...

This work describes a methodology to quantify the benefits from both a business-related and energy resilience perspectives provided by a microgrid based on photovoltaic solar energy and electrochemical energy storage integrated in large buildings, such as office buildings not open to the general public, which is presented as case study. First it ha...

Most countries in Europe are going under a significant transformation process from carbonized power energy sources to renewable and sustainable ones to feed their increasing demands. European Union targets on its energy roadmap states that by 2030, a reduction of 40% of CO2 emissions regarding the 1990 levels must be done and full transition must b...

The latest revisions in April 2018 of the 2010/31/UE and 2012/27/UE Directives on Energy Efficiency and Energy Savings respectively, point out the need of the development of smart energy indexes for buildings with the aim to (i) supervise the energy consumption on the building sector -that currently represents up to one third of the total final ene...

The promotion of the development of co-digestion power plants will be intensified in many European Union member states as the main target of the Union concerning energy generation is complete decarbonisation by 2050. This potential expansion prompts the need for optimal resources allocation according to several techno-economical parameters, highlig...

Health Services building stock is usually the top energy consumer in the Administrative sector, by a considerable margin. Therefore, energy consumption supervision, prediction, and improvement should be carried out for this group in a preferential manner. Most prior studies in this field have characterized the energy consumption of buildings based...

The design of renewable energy power plants (REPPs) is crucial not only for the investments' performance and attractiveness measures, but also for the maximization of resource (source) usage (e.g. sun, water, wind) and the minimization of raw materials (e.g. aluminum: Al, cadmium: Cd, iron: Fe, silicon: Si, tellurium: Te) consumption. Hence, severa...

Municipal waste management has a great impact on the sustainability of human processes and green policies, especially in urban sites. Although it could be achieved the full separation of the reusable and recyclable items and the complete elimination of the organic material present in it, many waste components must still be processed in waste treatm...

El enfoque de la educación en el ámbito universitario y en el no universitario en el que nos encontramos actualmente hace necesario el cambio en las metodologías y dinámicas desarrolladas por los docentes en las aulas. Este trabajo surge de la necesidad de aplicar metodologías activas(De Miguel Díaz et al., 2006) a la formación de los estudiantes u...

It is well known that working photovoltaic (PV) plants show several maintenance needs due to wiring and module degradation, mismatches, dust, and PV cell defects and faults. There are a wide range of theoretical studies as well as some laboratory tests that show how these circumstances may affect the PV production. Thus, it is mandatory to evaluate...

Solar energy potential analysis on oriented and tilted surfaces, such as building façades, is of capital importance to estimate the energy production potential in integrated systems, such as BIPVs. The spatial distribution of solar diffuse energy outstands as one of the most critical factors in order to improve performance simulations. Nevertheless...

Grid connected PV systems, or GCPVS, produce clean and renewable energy through the photovoltaic effect in the operation stage of the power plant. However, this is the penultimate stage of the facilities before its dismantlement. Before starting generating electricity with zero CO2 emissions, a negative energy balance exists mainly because of the e...

Among the various methods of measuring diffuse solar irradiance, shadowing devices are ones of the most commonly used in solar research all over the world. These instruments work with a basic pyranometer, properly calibrated for the measurement of solar irradiance, with a shadowing element, which can be a disk or a band (Drummond’s shadow-band), th...

The development of the appropriate competences results a key factor in the European Higher Education Area Framework. Technical, methodological and behavioural competences are currently in the spotlight for the design and evaluation of Engineering Degree studies. In this work, the authors analyse in deep the academic profiles and the competences tra...

Dispositivo de medida de radiación difusa que comprende un marco y al menos dos sensores de radiación fijados a dicho marco, además comprende un anillo lobular fijado al marco, con un lóbulo por cada sensor de manera que cada lóbulo proyecta una sombra a un sensor diferente, proporcionando el anillo lobular sombra de manera simultánea a todos los s...

Electricity energy markets are under a progressive liberalization and deregulation process worldwide consisting mainly in the complete differentiation in the transport activity and the energy trading market. The power transmission grid, technical infrastructure and dispatch coordination are controlled and operated by the Transmission System Operato...

The European Higher Education Framework makes mandatory the teaching of practical skills to university students at all competence levels. This implies a review of the traditional teaching methodologies and the adoption of active ones where the student plays the main role in the teaching-learning process. This methodology allows students to develop...

The European Higher Education Framework makes mandatory the teaching of practical skills to university students at all competence levels. This implies a review of the traditional teaching methodologies and the adoption of active ones where the student plays the main role in the teaching-learning process. However, this is not an easy task and we req...

La Tesis presentada se centra en la caracterización de la irradiancia solar difusa sobre superficies verticales orientadas según las direcciones cardinales. Los resultados obtenidos son de aplicación directa en proyectos de energía solar. Las valores con los que se ha trabajado han sido obtenidos mediante el dispositivo MK6, un prototipo de estaci...

In order to model and simulate solar energy plants (photovoltaic, thermal or hybrid) it results mandatory to characterize the site's solar potential. Moreover, for the complete integration of those systems in buildings and other urban structures, horizontal irradiance measurements are not enough and the value of all its components on any tilted and...

A device is proposed for the measurement of diffuse solar irradiance on tilted surfaces pointing-to as well as fixed on the equatorial direction. Most commercial devices are not designed for this purpose. Here, we present a specific design for a system based on a single multi-lobe shadow-ring that allows us to measure diffuse irradiance with severa...

En la presente comunicación se expone el diseño, configuración, calibración, particularidades y puesta en marcha de una micro-red de estaciones radiométricas situada en el centro de Castilla y León con objeto de mejorar la información climática disponible y la caracterización del recurso solar en la zona. En la actualidad, la micro-red está compues...

Como profesores de enseñanzas técnicas en las ramas energética y eléctrica, hemos detectado un descenso del rendimiento del alumnado motivado principalmente por una falta de interés y compromiso con las asignaturas y sus contenidos. Además venimos observando que los alumnos no relacionan de forma adecuada los contenidos abordados en las diferentes...

This paper presents a self-designed simulator cabinet intended to analyse the electrical properties and various types of electrical faults in Very High Voltage AC Power Transmission Lines (400 kV) through a Low Voltage (400 V) Pi model. Three different lengths of aerial power line (46 km, 92 km and 138 km) are modelled and simulated by calculating...

El presente trabajo se centra en la medida y estimación de la radiación solar difusa sobre superficies inclinadas tales como fachadas de edificaciones o paramentos entre otros. La mayor parte de los dispositivos comerciales existentes hasta la fecha no están preparados para este propósito. Es por ello que se presenta un nuevo dispositivo diseñado p...

This paper is focused in the diffuse solar radiation measurement and estimation on inclined surfaces such as façades. Most commercial devices are not prepared for this purpose. Thus, we present an especially designed device. The proposed system is based on a single multi-lobes shadow ring and allows us measure diffuse radiation with several pyranom...

Distributed generation and auto-consumption contributes to sustainable energy system opening a new scenario of employment and financial welfare and further liberalization of the electricity market. Net Energy Metering (NEM) can help, in a decisive way, to the feasibility of it. The emergence in recent years of new concepts, developments and systems...

Distributed generation and auto-consumption contributes to sustainable energy system opening a new scenario of employment and financial welfare and further liberalization of the electricity market. Net Energy Metering (NEM) can help, in a decisive way, to the feasibility of it. The emergence in recent years of new concepts, developments and systems...

Current PV cells technology takes advantage mainly from beam radiation. In this context the sun- trackers are such devices for efficiency improvement. On the other hand, projected shadows be- tween devices make mandatory to increase the distances between mounting systems. Thus, the land’s capacity for mounting PV panels can be dramatically decrease...

The principal objective of this study is to analyze the performance of sun-trackers devices compared with fixed flat plate systems using data from a widely used irradiation prediction software (PVGIS). We analyze typical parameters as daily and monthly sum of global irradiation (Hd and Hm) or average daily and monthly estimated electricity producti...

In this paper, main configurations and technical regulations in Spain about Net Energy Balance Systems and Smart Grids are presented. This short of installations is quite interesting for the future developments of Green Energy Sources, especially photovoltaic ones. The main benefits are the reduction of power losses in the distribution system, opti...

The main aim of this research work is to analyse the importance of modelling solar data. Should engineers and scientists spend time modelling solar data from other variables or it is a simply waste of time? Which applications truly need a precise forecast of the solar variables? Which spatial and time resolution is needed? In this work we have prop...

The main aim of this research work is to analyse the importance of modelling solar data. Should engineers and scientists spend time modelling solar data from other variables or it is a simply waste of time? Which applications truly need a precise forecast of the solar variables? Which spatial and time resolution is needed? In this work we have prop...

In this paper, an efficient method is presented for kinematic analysis of a designed parallel kinematics sun tracker. This design improves the distribution of the forces and so, makes this device more adaptable for roof-top installations. Future developing work related with this prototype makes a kinematic analysis mandatory. This analysis describe...