A Comprehensive Study on Microgrid Technology

Abstract

Grid connection capability of distributed generation attracts researchers due to the cumulative demand for electricity and environment pollution concern as a new emerging technology for providing reliable and clean power supply. A microgrid comprises distributed generation, energy storage, loads, and a control system that is capable of operating in grid-tied mode and/or islanded mode. As operation modes are shifted, the microgrid should successfully manage the voltage and frequency adjustment in order to protect the grid and any loads connected to the system. Facilitation of the generation-side and load-side management and the resynchronization process is required. This paper presents an overall description and typical distributed generation technology of a microgrid. It also adds a comprehensive study on energy storage devices, microgrid loads, interfaced distributed energy resources (DER), power electronic interface modules and the interconnection of multiple microgrids. Details of stability, control and communication strategies are also provided in this study. This article describes the existing control techniques of microgrids that are installed all over the world and has tabulated the comparison of various control methods with pros and cons. Moreover, it aids the researcher in envisioning an actual situation using a microgrid today, and provides insight into the possible evolvement of future grids. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the remarkable findings and potential research areas that could enrich future microgrid facilities.

Keywords

• Microgrid; Distributed energy resources; Distributed generation technology; Future grid.

References

1. E. Hossain, E. Kabalci, R. Bayindir, R. Perez, “Microgrid testbeds around the world: State of art”, Energy Conversion and Management, vol. 86, pp. 132-153, October 2014.
2. http://www.gii.co.jp/report/wg291088-stationary- fuel-cells-market-shares-strategies.html? [3] Peter Asmus, Alex Lauderbaugh, Kerry-Ann Adamson, “Executive Summary: [4] Microgrid
3. Deployment Tracker 4Q12”, Pike
4. Research Report, 2012. Sadrul Ula, T. S. Kalkur,
5. Melissa S. Mattmuller, Robert J. Hofinger, Ashoka
6. K. S. Bhat, Badrul H. Chowdhury, Jerry C. Whitaker,
7. and Isidor Buchmann, “The Electronics Handbook”,
8. Second Edition. Apr 2005 , 1033 -1257 2005.

9. Lubna Mariam, Malabika Basu, and Michael F. Conlon, “A Review of Existing Microgrid Architectures,” Journal of Engineering, pp.1-8, 2013. doi:10.1155/2013/937614.
10. Changhee Cho; Jin-Hong Jeon; Jong-Yul Kim; Soonman Kwon; Kyongyop Park; Sungshin Kim, "Active Synchronizing Control of a Microgrid," IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol.26, no.12, pp.3707,3719, Dec. 2011
11. Eto, J.; Lasseter, R.; Schenkman, B.; Stevens, J.; Klapp, D.; Volkommer, H.; Linton, E.; Hurtado, H.; Roy, J., "Overview of the CERTS Microgrid laboratory Test Bed," PES Joint Symposium Integration of Wide-Scale Renewable Resources Into the Power Delivery System, pp.1,1, 29-31 July 2009
12. N.W.A. Lidula, A.D. Rajapakse, “Microgrids research: A review of experimental microgrids and test systems”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 186-202, January 2011.
13. Taha Selim Ustun, Cagil Ozansoy, Aladin Zayegh, “Recent developments in microgrids and example cases around the world—A review”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 15, no. 8, Pages 4030-4041, October 2011.
14. Ritwik Majumder, “Some Aspects of Stability in Microgrids”, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 28, no. 3, pp.3243,3252, Aug. 2013
15. C. Ma, Y. Hous, “Classified Overview of Microgrids and Developments in China” Energy Tech 2012, Ohio, pp. 1-6, 29-31 May 2012.
16. Shouxiang Wang; Zhixin Li; Qun Xu; Zuyi Li, "Reliability analysis of distributed system with DGs," 2011 4th International Conference on Electric Utility Deregulation Technologies (DRPT), pp.14-17, 6-9 July 2011.
17. T. Kousksou, P. Bruel, A. Jamil, T. El Rhafiki, Y. Zeraouli, “Energy storage: Applications and challenges”, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 120, Part A, Pages 59-80, January 2014.
18. N.S. Chouhan, M. Ferdowsi, "Review of energy storage systems," North American Power Symposium (NAPS), pp.1,5, 4-6 Oct. 2009
19. ChaoyongHou; Xuehao Hu; Dong Hui, "Plug and play microgrid," 2011 4th International Conference on Electric Utility Deregulation and Restructuring and Power Technologies (DRPT), pp.719,723, 6-9 July 2011. interface applied in
20. Shuhui Li; Proano, J.; Dong Zhang, "Microgrid power flow study in grid-connected and islanding modes under different converter control strategies," 2012 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, pp.1,8, 22-26 July 2012.
21. Petra de Boer, Jillis Raadschelders, “Flow batteries”, http://www.leonardo-energy.org/sites/leonardo- energy/files/root/pdf/2007/Briefing%20paper%20- %20Flow%20batteries.pdf
22. H. Rashid, “Power Electronics
23. Handbook”, Academic Press, ISBN-13: 978- 0123820365, 2010.
24. Suryanarayanan, S.; Mitra, J.; Biswas, S., "A conceptual framework of a hierarchically networked agent-based microgrid architecture," 2010 IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition, , pp.1,5, 19-22 April 2010.
25. Meiqin Mao; Yinzheng Tao; Liuchen Chang; Yongchao Zhao; Peng Jin, "An intelligent static switch based on embedded system and its control method for a microgrid," 2012 IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia (ISGT Asia), pp.1,6, 21-24 May 2012.
26. Xisheng Tang; Zhiping Qi, "Energy storage control in renewable energy based microgrid," 2012 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, pp.1-6, 22-26 July 2012.
27. Liping Su, Guojie Li, Zhijian Jin, "Modeling, control and testing of a voltage-source-inverter-based microgrid," 2011 4th International Conference on Electric Utility Deregulation and Restructuring and Power Technologies (DRPT), pp.724,729, 6-9 July 2011.
28. Guerrero, J.M., "Connecting renewable energy sources into the smartgrid," 2011 IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics (ISIE), pp.2400- 2566, 27-30 June 2011 ISIE 2011, Poland.
29. Jackson John Justo, Francis Mwasilu, Ju Lee, Jin- Woo Jung, “AC-microgrids versus DC-microgrids with distributed energy resources: A review”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 24, pp. 387-405 August 2013.
30. Michael Angelo Pedrasa, Ted Spooner, “A Survey of Techniques Used to Control Microgrid Generation and Storage during Island Operation” Proceedings of the Engineering Melbourne, Australia, 10 – 13 December 2006.
31. Cheng Ding; Lo, K.L., "Microgrid control and management of state transition period," Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC), 2012 47th International, pp.1,5, 4-7 Sept. 2012.
32. Estefanía Planas, Asier Gil-de-Muro, Jon Andreu, Iñigo Kortabarria, Iñigo Martínez de Alegría, “General aspects, hierarchical controls and droop methods in microgrids: A review”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 17, Pages 147-159, January 2013.
33. Katiraei, F.; Iravani, R.; Hatziargyriou, N.; Dimeas, A., "Microgrids management," IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, vol.6, no.3, pp.54,65, May-June 2008.
34. Automatic Generation Control Software – EMS, http://etap.com/energy-management- system/automatic-generation-control-software.htm
35. Juan Carlos, “Decentralized Control Techniques Applied to Electric Power Distributed Generation in Microgrids”, A dissertation submitted for the degree of European Doctor of Philosophy, June 10, 2009
36. Ming Ding; Yingyuan Zhang; Meiqin Mao, "Key technologies for microgrids-a review," International Conference on Sustainable Power Generation and Supply, 2009. SUPERGEN '09., pp.1,5, 6-7 April 2009 , Nanjing China.
37. Fast Market Research “Microgrid Market, Global Forecast & Analysis (2012 - 2022) - Focus on Renewable Power Generation, Solar Photo-voltaics, Wind Micro-Turbines, Battery, Energy Storage & Control Systems, By Types, Components & Technologies”, http://www.fastmr.com/prod/531733_microgrid_mar ket_global_forecast_analysis_2012.aspx?dt=s, 18, 2013. Jan
38. Danny Yu, “From "Cool" to "Cool and Connected": Why the smart home movement toward connected solutions will accelerate enterprise smart building adoption”, http://www.daintree.net/blog/index.php January 2014,
39. Toshifumi ISE, “Advantages and Circuit Configuration of a DC Microgrid”, Symposium on Microgrids, pp.1-5, Montreal 2006.
40. Marnay C, Venkataramanan G. Microgrids in the evolving infrastructure. In: IEEE power engineering society general meeting; 2006. p. 5. and delivery
41. Peças Lopes JA, Moreira CL, Resende FO. Microgrids black start and islanded operation. In: Proc 15th power system computation conference (PSCC), Liege, 22–26 August 2005. p. 1–7. /pscc05/papers/fp69.pdf>.
42. Hatziargyriou N. Microgrids – large scale integration of microgeneration. In:Conference on the integration of renewable energy sources and distributed energy sources, Brussels; 2004. p. 1–11.
43. Lasseter RH, Paigi P. Microgrid: a conceptual solution. In: Proceedings of the IEEE 35th annual power electronics specialists conference (PESC 04), June 2004. p. 4285–90.
44. Lasseter RH. Microgrids. In: Proceedings of the IEEE power engineering society winter meeting, vol. 1; 2002. p. 305–8.