The Multi-Good MicroGrid Laboratory (MG²Lab) is an experimental facility located in the Department of Energy buildings of Bovisa campus. It integrates various technologies for distributed energy generation and storage, constituting an active network that supplies heat, electricity, potable water and energy-related services to a variety of users (including electric vehicle charging), while minimizing operational costs.

Core mission of the MG²Lab is the development and on-field testing of predictive optimization algorithms for optimal planning of multi-good energy systems, to ensure their secure and efficient operation also when featuring a high penetration of renewable energy sources.

MG²Lab was built in collaboration with ENGIE-EPS and the activities include multiple industrial collaborations (Terna, FCA, BMW, TOTEM Energy).

Ongoing research activities are developed between GECOS and the Electrical Engineering Group of the Department of Energy.

The flexibility of MG²Lab, together with its diversified mix of distributed energy resources, allows to test on-field innovative solution for smart multi-energy management systems and to compare with the major technical challenges that arise during the operation of real micro-grids.

The facility is involved in research activities that include:

Validation of optimisation algorithms for the solution of unit commitment, optimal power flow and predictive control problems accounting for load and renewables production forecast, and real-time monitoring. Objective of the optimisation is to minimise the operational cost, reduce renewables curtailment and increase renewables penetration.

Investigation of the characteristics and potential of distributed storage systems. The operation of different storage units is tested and modelled, to plan their utilisation both in islanded systems, as support for the optimal utilisation of available resources and real-time frequency and voltage control, and in grid-connected systems, to provide in addition market services. Moreover, research on hybrid hydrogen storage system, which can serve as a large capacity seasonal storage, is one of the main tasks of the MG²Lab.

Optimal integration of EVs charging stations within microgrids. Charging stations do not behave as neat programmable loads, but can potentially offer variable degrees of demand-response. New strategies will be developed and tested, to dynamically optimise grid operations and transform EVs in revenue generating assets.