FARM ENERGY MANAGEMENT

The present invention is concerned with energy management of a remote farm or rural agricultural community with no or limited access to a main electrical grid. According to the invention, an innovative use of a multi-grid system for the provision of electricity, water, and thermal energy for heating and cooling needs is proposed for farms and farming communities. The existence of at least one continual stream or flow of material in a network different from but interacting with an electrical microgrid is exploited in view of a flexible storage of energy beyond a conventional perimeter of the microgrid and without reconversion of the stored energy into electrical energy. Optimal operation of the microgrid may then be achieved by scheduling or planning electrical power generation within the farm in conjunction with farming related loads that likewise represent a time-wise degree of freedom.