Vehicle to building (V2B) technologies integrated in LVAC microgrids. A case study of a smart university lab

Increasing attention to sustainable energy solutions has rekindled the focus on microgrids integrated with Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) technologies, which enable bidirectional energy exchange between electric vehicles and the building grid. This paper presents a model for optimizing energy exchange in the LAMBDA lab's microgrid, consisting of photovoltaic panels, an energy storage system and a V2B-enabled charging station. After a short review of the state of the art on V2B, including operating principles and practical applications, an innovative algorithm was developed, specifically designed to optimize building's energy flows, with the target of increasing its efficiency and promoting its energy self-sufficiency. The microgrid is managed by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) with the suggested algorithm implemented in a Python model, under different operational scenarios. The simulations use realistic PV generation and consumption profiles of lab loads, randomly varying vehicle parameters such as parking duration and charge levels. The paper ends with a real implementation of the algorithm on the microgrid, analysis of the results obtained, highlighting opportunities for improving the model.