Researchers from CSEM created a system to manage individual and community renewable energy tech.
More homes are being outfitted with renewable energy technology every year and this technology is interconnected with the electrical grid. At the neighborhood level, decentralized intermittent energy sources create complex networks and often have energy-consuming installations. As such, managing multi-energy systems and optimizing energy costs is complicated. In response, the CSEM team has created a smart predictive software called Maestro that can provide real-time answers to multi-energy system problems. Maestro was created for non-specialists and does not require operators or special training.
Maestro uses weather forecasts, local infrastructure data, resident consumption habits and market energy costs to automatically mange resources and keep costs low. All of Maestro’s decisions are based on cost management.
When operating, user priorities and parameters such as solar panel size, building surface area, battery storage capacity and more, are fed into Maestro. Production data is provided by sensors and sent to the cloud, enabling Maestro to automatically compare possible consumption and identify the most cost-effective choice. Instructions are sent back to a computer, which then carries them out on site.
The system can incorporate any kind of sustainable technology. It even looks at weather forecasts and factors in future needs into consumption decisions.
Maestro has been installed in two private homes and an apartment building in collaboration with Soleco. The team is in negotiations to outfit an entire neighborhood in Zurich with Maestro.
An online simulator of Maestro is available here.
