Microgrid Operation and Control

The increase in load growth can be supplied by distributed generators (DG) near to customer loads without expanding the existing network infrastructures. This is a more economical and less carbon intensive of generating power, especially through making use of renewable distributed energy sources. These small to medium size generators distributed throughout a network are known as distributed generators (DGs). There are different types of DG technologies available. Among them, combined heat and power (CHP) plants, bio-diesel generators, micro-turbines, fuel cells, wind turbines, mini-hydro power plants, solar photovoltaic arrays (PVs), DGs based on biomass, geothermal and tidal are getting more attractive. A few or more DGs discussed above can be integrated into form a self sustained electric grid to supply local loads in the absence of the main utility grid. This small electric grid is known as a microgrid. The microgrid is capable of operating either when it is connected to the main utility grid (grid-connected mode) or it can continue operation without the presence of utility grid (islanded or autonomous mode) maintaining the power quality within the microgrid. DGs, specially based on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind can be effectively integrated into a microgrid to supply rapid load growth demand. This is one of the major advantages of forming microgrids in