Historically, Chile’s electrical system has depended on large, distant power plants that transmit energy across long lines to urban consumers. This model, however, is now under considerable strain. The increasing adoption of renewable energies, residential solar panels, domestic batteries, and electric vehicles highlights the urgent need for modernization.
This new scenario demands we consider how to massively integrate small, distributed generators into a system not built for them. Without proper management, the energy transition risks creating electrical imbalances, supply failures, and an increasingly fragile grid unable to meet today’s demands.
At the University of Santiago, Chile, Dr. Enrique Espina, an academic and researcher in the Department of Electrical Engineering, is leading a Fondecyt Regular project that seeks to respond to this challenge by addressing the safe and efficient integration of new energy technologies into the electricity grid.
“For a long time, electrical systems operated traditionally, with power generation concentrated far away. But recent years have seen a change, driven by the integration of renewable energies and smaller, distributed generation. So, the core idea of this project is to research how to integrate these new technologies into the grid on a massive scale, from both technical and operational standpoints,” explains Dr. Enrique Espina.
The proposal focuses on developing microgrids: small, local energy systems that can operate both connected to the main grid and independently in case of general failures. This allows areas like university campuses, residential neighborhoods, or condominiums to maintain power with their own local generation during outages, without relying on the national grid.
These solutions not only facilitate the swift integration of clean energy but also significantly enhance system security by granting autonomy to small communities. Academic Dr. Espina notes this is highly relevant in Chile, a country where massive power outages frequently affect large populations, especially in rural regions.
The project will first conduct a comprehensive review of the international state of the art, recognizing this constantly evolving field. Next, the team will design and test integration strategies through computer simulations, followed by experimental validation with physical prototypes to test algorithms under real conditions.
“A major technical challenge is making these systems fully automatic,” states Espina. The goal is for users to install a solar generator or battery bank at home, have it instantly connect to the system, and autonomously coordinate with other network elements to achieve common energy objectives, all without constant user intervention.
“The goal isn’t for users to constantly configure inverters,” he explains. “Instead, if I add a battery bank or solar generator to my home, the system should automatically connect to the cloud, enabling all generators and network components to autonomously coordinate and operate jointly toward a shared energy objective.”
The project’s potential impact is vast: accelerating renewable energy adoption, strengthening electrical system resilience, and laying the groundwork for new technology industries in Chile. Espina is confident the results will move beyond academia, becoming concrete solutions that benefit communities, bolster energy infrastructure, and position Chile at the forefront of the global energy revolution.
“Our human capital is top-notch; often, the challenge lies in securing that crucial funding to properly equip laboratories, support theses, and fully accompany students in their training. This project embodies a technological commitment aimed at advancing the country’s development and empowering the new generations of researchers who will forge Chile’s energy future,” he concludes.