Microgrid Technology with Distributed Energy - A Review

International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)
Volume 6 Issue 3, March-April 2022 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD49648 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 3 | Mar-Apr 2022 Page 925
Microgrid Technology with Distributed Energy – A Review
Aman Kumar1
, Mamta Sood2
, Dr. Manju Gupta3
1
Student, 2
Assistant Professor, 3
Associate Professor,
1, 2, 3
Oriental Institute of Science & Technology, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
ABSTRACT
As one of the key technologies to achieve the large- scale application
of distributed power generation, microgrid can overcome the
randomness, intermittence and dispersity caused by distributed
energy and promote the development and utilization of new energy
and renewable energy to ease the shortage of energy all over the
world. In this paper, the characteristics and key technology of
microgrid and the challenges may exit during development of
microgrid are briefly introduced. Microgrid complies with the
requirements to promote renewable energy power generation and
social sustainable development, and will definitely occupy a vital
position in the development of grid construction.
KEYWORDS: Microgrid; Challenge; Distributed energy
How to cite this paper: Aman Kumar |
Mamta Sood | Dr. Manju Gupta
"Microgrid Technology with Distributed
Energy – A Review"
Published in
International Journal
of Trend in
Scientific Research
and Development
(ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-
6470, Volume-6 |
Issue-3, April 2022, pp.925-928, URL:
www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd49648.pdf
Copyright © 2022 by author (s) and
International Journal of Trend in
Scientific Research and Development
Journal. This is an
Open Access article
distributed under the
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Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
1. INTRODUCTION
Due to the limited quantity of conventional fossil
fuels and the environmental pollution problem, the
development and utilization of renewable energy has
been paid more and more attention all over the word
and the scale is expanding. As the core content of
energy transformation and the important commitment
to deal with the climate, China has made the objective
that the proportion of non-petrochemical energy
consumption increased to 15% of primary energy
consumption and 20% in 2020 and 2030 respectively.
However, with the increase of non-petrochemical
energy consumption proportion, intermittency and
volatility of utilization of renewable energy has put
forward new challenges to the stable operation of
power systems. When the low-voltage distribution
network in the distributed power capacity achieves a
high proportion, namely high permeability, the
realization of balance of distribution network power
and the reliability of highpower supply will be very
difficult.
As one of the key technologies to realize the large-
scale application of distributed power generation
system, microgrid aims at realizing the flexible and
efficient application of distributed power generation
technology in medium and low voltage level and
solving the problem when large and diversified
distributed energy operates in distribution network
[1]. So the development of microgrid to a certain
extent determines the application scale of renewable
energy. In this paper, the development of microgrid at
this stage and the problems exits during development
are briefly introduced.
2. CONCEPTS AND CHARACTERISTICS
A. The concepts of microgrid
The CERTS, namely Consortium for Electric
Reliability Technology Solutions first puts forward
the concept of microgrid in 2001, microgrid is a
system consisting of load and miniature power
supply, which provides both electric and thermal
power. The power supply inside the microgrid is
power electronic devices which are responsible for
energy conversion and provide the necessary control.
Compared to the bulk grid, the microgrid behaves as a
single controlled unit and simultaneously meets the
customer's requirements for power quality and power
supply safety [2]. Since then, the European Union and
IJTSRD49648

International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
Japan give their own definition due to their research.
Our country puts forward the concept of microgrid in
a "micro-network technology system research" work
conference held by the State Grid Electric Power
Research Institute in 2009, microgrid is a small
modular, decentralized energy supply network based
on distributed power generation technology with the
subject of decentralized resources and small power
plants and combined with power quality management
and energy utilization technology [3]. Although the
definition of microgrid are not the same, they do all
identify that the micro gird is a integrated unit of
energy storage devices, control devices and protection
devices, which based on distributed power generation
technology and can work in isolated network running
and grid-connected running [4].
B. Characteristics of micro grid
Flexibility: As defined in the paper, the micro grid
can run both in isolated network and grid-connected.
The grid- connected mode acts as the normal
operation, in which model the system can either
absorb power from the grid network or supply power
to the main network. When something happens to the
grid, the micro grid disconnects the link with the main
network by turning off the demarcation switch and
turned into isolated network state.
Interactivity: Operating in isolated network state can
not only shorten the customer's power outage time,
but also help the reboot of the bulk grid, which is
particularly valuable during the unconventional
disaster or war. So the micro grid can play a role as
own emergency power supply, which should be
considered in the grid black start program.
Compatibility: Micro grid is the most effective way to
achieve the connection of distributed energy. It
integrates the original distributed energy and
stabilizes the power supply and balance between
supply and demand through energy storage and
control protection, which effectively overcome the
randomness and intermittent of distributed energy and
solve the problem when micro grid connects to the
bulk grid [5].
Economy: Micro grid access to large amount of
renewable energy, which means we can distribute the
output of different micro source optimally. Besides,
combining the micro gird with medium-sized heat
supply can reduce the conversion of different energy
forms and improve energy efficiency, optimize the
energy structure in order to achieve the best economic
benefits of micro gird through the realization of
temperature counterparts, cascade utilization and
energy matching.
3. KEY TECHNOLOGY OF MICRO GRID
A. The operation of the micro grid
As mentioned in this paper, the microgrid can work in
isolated network running and grid-connected running.
When connected to the bulk gird, the microgrid can
provide excess power generated by distributed energy
to the grid or supplement their own power generation
deficiencies from the grid. When detecting the failure
of the grid or the power quality does not meet the
requirements, the microgrid will disconnect from the
bulk network and the power supply will be provided
by the distributed generation system (DGS). The
isolated network running of the microgrid provides a
higher power supply reliabilityand irreversible power
supply for the system [6]. Through experimental
system operation, it turns out that the microgrid can
be connected network or isolated network and switch
from one state to the other smoothly under reasonable
control strategy.
B. The control of microgrid
As a modular and controllable unit, microgrid need to
provide power to customer and to achieve these
functions, the good management and control within
the microgrid is necessary. Through the microgrid
control, adjusting the feed flow to decoupling control
the active and reactive power independent and make
sure that the operation of each micro- power can be
micro-response and supply the customer demand.
In the process of operation control, the microgrid can
make a quick and independent response to the
accident occurred in the bulk grid based on the local
information. When the voltage drops in the connected
network or power failure, the micro-distributed power
generation system will be switched to separation of
the main network or parallel or achieve the transition
between the two operation model according to the
fault condition or the system smoothly. Nowadays,
there are three main methods to control the microgrid.
First is plug and play control and peer-to-peer control
based on power electronics technology [7]. Second is
the control based on power management system [8].
Last but not least is microgrid control based on multi-
agent technology [9]. The main control equipment is
distributed generation system controller, controllable
load manager, central energy management system and
relay protection device.
C. Energy Storage Technology
Given the fact that the ability of microgrid to bear the
disturbance is relatively weak, the application of
energy storage system plays an important role in
stabilizing the fluctuation of renewable energy and
maintaining the stable operation of the system. There
are different storage technologies and the main
technologies are mechanical energy storage,
electromagnetic energy storage and electrochemical

energy storage etc. Among all these storage
technologies, batteries become the best option for
renewable energy grid and intelligent micro-network
because of its easy installment and manufacture.
Lithium-ion batteries, nickel- metal hydride batteries,
sodium sulphur batteries, liquid batteries, lead-acid
battery technology are relatively mature in a variety
of chemical batteries and the comprehensive
performance of lithium battery is the best while liquid
batteries has a wild application in the field of large-
scale. The best energy storage technology works for
the microgrid is those with high system efficiency,
long cycle life and high economy.
D. Economics of microgrid
The economics is the important foundation for
promotion and development of microgrid technology.
Microgrid can refer the knowledge and experience
obtained from the operation of grid in scheduling
principles, power transactions, resource optimization
and other aspects to optimize the design and provide
different levels of power quality and reliability
services for different customers and even provide
black start and other auxiliary services. At the same
time, the economic optimization of microgrid is also
different from the traditional grid and the biggest
difference is that distributed generation can supply
electricity and heat in the form of CHP. In addition,
the unique design of the microgrid can provide higher
reliability than traditional distribution network and
meet the special requirements of customers, improve
the added value of electricity.
4. THE CHALLENGES IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OFMICROGRID
The ultimate goal of microgrid is to achieve seamless
incorporation of a variety of distributed power supply.
In general, a large amount of distributed power
supply connected to the microgrid will obviously
have a profound impact, therefore we need to address
the operating characteristics and the interaction
mechanism between traditional grid and microgrid,
grasp energy optimization management and other
aspects of a series of complex issues.
Reliability and Stability: Microgrid is distributed in
the distribution grid as a special power source which
can both import and export energy, the interaction
between the microgrid will further affect the
reliability of the distribution grid. The mechanism of
the interaction between the microgrid and the
distribution grid is the prerequisite for improving the
safety and stability of the distribution grid, and it is
necessary to discuss the new theory and method to
analysis stability and reliability.
Programming and Designing: It is necessary to
consider a series of problems during the programming
and designing, such as distributed power supply,
microgrid structure, the location of micronet access
and integrated optimization of distribution grid. The
demand of cold and thermal load in the grid should
also be considered to reflect the scientific and
forward-looking of programming.
Controlling: The distributed power supply mostly
connects the grid through electronic inverter because
there is no self-synchronization. The load fluctuation
in microgrid and distribution grid has a great impact
on the power output. The diversity, intermittent and
randomness also increase the difficulty of voltage and
frequency control in distributed power supply and the
control of coordination between multi- micro-grid is
more difficult. Besides, the power quality is also a
concern that we should pay attention to.
Protection: Because of the bidirectional trend of
microgrid, it is our primary task to ensure the safety
and stability of the entire system when some failure
happened and when there is something wrong with
the distribution network or the distribution network
operates under abnormal condition, it’s necessary to
protect the distributed power and microgrid, response
when it’s required, don’t operate when there is no
need, response rapidly. In addition, different
distributed generation technologies may have
different protection criteria when system fails and
network reconstruction also requires protection
device with adaptive tuning function.
Scheduling Operation: Due to its complexity, the
effective scheduling and management of microgrid
must be achieved by using auxiliary tools. First of all,
we need to model and simulate the microgrid to
achieve rapid protection for isolated network state
and grid reconstruction algorithm, overcome the
unfavorable factors of intermittent and randomness
brought by renewable energy under the high
permeability to ensure the safety and stability of the
system under extreme weather conditions and failure
condition [10].
5. DEVELOPMENT DIRECTION
Microgrid technology has been vigorously researched
recently with its high reliability, environmental
protection, flexibility and other characteristics in
developed countries, such as Europe and the United
States. Our country also began some National High-
tech R&D Program (863 Program), National Key
Basic Research and Development Program (973
Program), and other national key research and
development plan to encourage and support the
various universities and research institutes in the
microgrid technology research. The next few years,
microgrid theory and related technology will be
certificated through demonstration engineering and

get widely practiced and promoted. In the future, the
main research direction of microgrid will be as
follows:
The different ways to connect microgrid to traditional
grid and operate isolated network, the coordinated
control of the microgrid and energy storage
components make the energy flow in microgrid multi-
path and multi-channel, therefore we need to establish
suitable theory about grid structure planning and
operational and other related aspects according to the
above characteristics; Design a real-time, flexible,
intelligent distributed power controller and central
management unit for distributed generation system
with renewable energy such as wind power to enable
it to have complex functions such as self- healing,
autonomous and self-organizing [11]. In addition,
according to the requirements of the load (sensitive
load and non-sensitive load) and the operation of the
power grid, optimize and improve the control
strategy, especially the integration of different control
strategies, coordination and smooth transition to
explore the appropriate operation mode and
management strategies for microgrid; Using neural
network, wavelet analysis, gray theory and system
prediction technique establishes the random load
model. Based on the scheduling scheme of the main
network and the load capacity of the microgrid and
the requirements for power quality, and combine the
intelligent control (artificial neural network, fuzzy
control) and modern control theory, to establish
internal random flow control model for microgrid;
Establish the new economic relations between the
main grid and microgrid, research and formulate the
technical guidelines for isolated network running and
grid-connected running properly, especially the
operational specification for micro- distributed power
supply under isolated network running and investigate
the impact of technology promotion on electricity
market further.
6. CONCLUSIONS
In the context of the energy shortage globally,
microgrid has aroused concern around the world as
the effective complement to the traditional grid and
the effective forms to use distributed energy.
Compared with the traditional centralized power
supply system, microgrid can reduce the loss greatly
and save investment for transmission and distribution
construction. As aggregate of power generation,
heating, cooling and other service functions,
microgrid can effectively achieve the cascade
utilization of energy to achieve higher energy
efficiency, while improving the safety and reliability
of power supply. Microgrid can effectively reduce or
eliminate the direct impact to gird caused by access of
distributed power supply, which provides a new path
for the large-scale application of new and renewable
energy in connected grid. Microgrid complies with
the requirements to promote renewable energypower
generation and social sustainable development, and
will occupy a vital position in the development of
construction of grid.
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