Smartgrids and Microgrids Based on Renewable Sources

Dear Colleagues,

Microgrids are becoming a crucial component of modern power generation systems. The share of sustainable Distributed Energy Sources (DER) based on renewable energies has increased over time and now provides energy at a competitive price through both small power generation systems and a prosumer generation scheme, even if the utility grid is available, reducing losses in the transmission and distribution systems.

Renewable microgrids can provide energy to off-grid and/or remote areas using available natural resources (such as solar radiation, wind, water, biomass waste among others), particularly improving quality of life in communities with high energy poverty. Because the availability of natural resources can be intermittent (i.e., depending on weather conditions) and balancing power supply and demand is a prerequisite for achieving a stable grid, a backup storage system that provides flexibility and stability to stand-alone grids is required.

Another component that needs to be integrated into microgrids is a demand response, which increases the reliability and efficiency of a microgrid. Modern microgrids also integrate Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) into a control system and must be able to share information through communication technologies, take data from measurement devices, store such data in a database (DB), and make decisions, thereby converting the microgrid into a Smartgrid.

On the other hand, modern metaheuristic algorithms and methods such as Artificial Neural Networks, Fuzzy Logic, and Nature and Bio-inspired Optimization Algorithms can be used for optimal design, simulation, management, and control of microgrid systems. Also, to protect networks, programs, and data, cybersecurity technologies such as digital signatures and encryption algorithms (like Blockchain) are used.

By integrating all of the mentioned parts, a sustainable, efficient, reliable, flexible, profitable, safe, and cyber-secure microgrid can be obtained. Environmental and economic analyses are required to compare the different alternatives and choose the best option.

This Special Issue aims to present a collection of original, novel contributions focused on improving the current technologies in the microgrid field in a sustainable manner. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Sustainable power generation systems with renewable energy sources (PV, wind, biomass, water, among others);
• Hybrid sustainable systems based on renewable energies;
• Storage systems (lead-acid batteries, Li-ion batteries, and others);
• Microgrid power electronics;
• Microgrid design;
• Off-grid and grid-tied power generation systems;
• Metaheuristic algorithms and methods applied to microgrids (e.g., Artificial Neural Networks, Fuzzy Logic, Nature and Bio-inspired Optimization Algorithms, and others);
• Microgrid cybersecurity (Internet of Energy, Blockchain, digital signatures, Data Encryption Algorithms, and others);
• Microgrid economic analysis;
• Information and communications technologies (ICT) in microgrids;
• Energy prosumers;
• Microgrid demand response;
• Power generation in developing countries through microgrid systems based on renewable energies.

Prof. Dr. Carlos Vargas-Salgado
Prof. Dr. Manuel Alcázar Ortega
Guest Editors

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