COVER STORY • 封面專題 2023 UMAGAZINE 27 • 澳大新語 21 Energy, the lifeblood of a city, is crucial for sustainable smart city development, and researchers in a smart energy research group at the University of Macau (UM) State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City (SKL-IOTSC) tirelessly advance clean, low-carbon, efficient, and secure urban smart energy systems by developing essential technologies, such as new integrated energy systems, and partnering with leading energy companies to create pioneering examples for the energy sector. Promoting Energy Transition among Cities To achieve the low-carbon or zero-carbon operation of the energy system in smart cities of the future, researchers in the group have studied the operation and control methods of energy systems based on the Internet of Things (IoT). Chair Professor Yonghua Song, rector of UM and director of SKL-IOTSC, is an expert in power systems and the head of the smart energy research group. Prof Song explains, ‘Our group members have various interdisciplinary studies to address the pressing needs of high-density load cities, such as Macao, where there has been a substantial increase in the use of new energy, data centres, and electric vehicles. Our goal is to overcome challenges presented by the smart energy system through innovative research findings.’ As a city with a high-density load, Macao’s energy consumption structure is similar to most other cities. Studies in the laboratory show that direct energy consumption in electricity, transportation, and buildings accounts for nearly 90 per cent of Macao’s local carbon emissions. To reduce this consumption, it is necessary to use a combination of technologies such as electrification, smart grid, clean energy substitution, and low-carbon buildings. Researchers in a project led by Prof Song have developed a demand-side load regulation system containing a high proportion of new-energy-based power systems. The new pathway for flexible load regulation capacity to follow the changes in power generation has given rise to a number of innovative theories and technologies. Not only have these key technologies found extensive applications in China (in the power grids in 11 provinces and cities) and abroad, but they are also expected to play a major role in facilitating China’s realisation of its ‘Dual Carbon’ goals and in supporting Macao’s low-carbon development strategy. According to Prof Song, UM’s research results will provide guidance to the highly developed cities along the southeast coast of China. Smart Integrated Energy Management Platform The research group develops smart technologies to enhance the power grid of Macao. These technologies can address Macao’s needs based on its urban characteristics, such as its high building density, high electrical loads and intensity, and many buildings. In terms of demand-side loads, the researchers are studying the incorporation of the flexible load mode into normal power system operation, so as to carry out flexible and automatic dynamic power supply for large electrical equipment, including electric vehicles and central air-conditioners. The group also conducts studies on energy storage, DC power distribution, and other urban smart grid technologies to boost the quality and capacity of electricity supply, as well as the affordability and safety of power grids. At the same time, the group has focused on enhancing the smart energy monitoring system and methods for energy data modelling and visualisation. They built the University of Macau Smart Integrated Energy Management Platform to realise mathematical modelling of campus buildings, power systems, key equipment, and other entities. With this platform, voltage, frequency, node energy consumption, and other energy data may be monitored in real-time. Researchers have also 戴寧怡教授 Prof Dai Ningyi
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