Search Results (30)

The interlinking converter, an important device in a hybrid AC-DC microgrid, undertakes the task of power distribution between the AC sub-microgrid and DC sub-microgrid. To address the limitations of traditional bidirectional droop control in islanding mode, particularly the lack of consideration for regulation priority between AC frequency and DC voltage, this paper proposes an adaptive bidirectional droop control strategy. By introducing an adaptive weight coefficient based on normalized AC frequency and DC voltage, the strategy prioritizes regulating larger deviations in AC frequency or DC voltage. Interlinking converter action thresholds are set to avoid unnecessary frequent starts and stops. Finally, a hybrid AC-DC microgrid system in islanding mode is established in the Matlab/Simulink R2020a simulation platform to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy. Full article

The optimal operation of a hybrid AC-DC microgrid is investigated in this study. The operation of an AC microgrid connected to the main grid and an islanded DC microgrid has been examined under three management approaches. In the first approach, two microgrids are not connected, and the DC microgrid is operated in the islanded mode. In the second and third approaches, AC and DC microgrids are connected. The main difference between these two approaches is the energy management framework. In the second approach, each microgrid has its own management system, while the third approach integrates both into a single energy management system to form an AC-DC microgrid that minimizes overall operational costs. The main goal of the proposed model is to minimize the operating costs of two microgrids over a 24 h period. The investigated AC microgrid includes a microturbine, wind turbine and diesel generator in order to supply the residential load profile, and the DC microgrid includes an energy storage system, fuel cell, wind turbine and solar panel in order to supply the commercial load profile. Simulations are performed first with a wind and load scenario in order to show and compare the optimal points of using the decision variables in three approaches. Finally, in order to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method in the presence of uncertainties, the cost distribution function for the three approaches is presented by means of Monte Carlo simulation. Applying the proposed model results in the following the cost reduction: 67.9% in the DC microgrid, 14.2% in the AC microgrid and 24.4% overall. This reduction is primarily attributed to the microgrid central energy management system, which decreases reliance on the main grid and instead utilizes alternative sources such as fuel cells. Comparing the first and third approaches, the fuel cell’s contribution to supplying microgrid loads increased by 29%, while the main grid’s participation decreased by 26%. Full article

Microgrids are considered a practical solution to revolutionize power systems due to their ability to island and sustain the penetration of renewables. Most existing studies have focused on the optimal management of microgrids with a fixed configuration. This restricts the application of developed algorithms to other configurations without major modifications. The objective of this study is to design a rule-based modular energy management system (EMS) for microgrids that can dynamically adapt to the microgrid configuration. To realize this framework, first, each component is modeled as a separate entity with its constraints and bounds for variables. A wide range of components such as battery energy storage systems (BESSs), electric vehicles (EVs), solar photovoltaic (PV), microturbines (MTs), and different priority loads are modeled as modules. Then, a rule-based system is designed to analyze the impact of the presence/absence of one module on the others and update constraints. For example, load shedding and PV curtailment can be permitted if the grid module is not included. The constraints of microgrid components present in any given configuration are communicated to the EMS, and it optimizes the operation of the available components. The configuration of microgrids could be as simple as flexible loads operating in grid-connected mode or as complex as a hybrid microgrid with AC and DC buses with a diverse range of equipment on each side. To facilitate the realization of diverse configurations, a hybrid AC/DC microgrid is considered where the utility grid and interlinking converter (ILC) are also modeled as separate modules. The proposed method is used to test performance in both grid-connected and islanded modes by simulating four typical configurations in each case. Simulation results have shown that the proposed rule-based modular method can optimize the operation of a wide range of microgrid configurations. Full article

A microgrid (MG) is a unique area of a power distribution network that combines distributed generators (conventional as well as renewable power sources) and energy storage systems. Due to the integration of renewable generation sources, microgrids have become more unpredictable. MGs can operate in two different modes, namely, grid-connected and islanded modes. MGs face various challenges of voltage variations, frequency deviations, harmonics, unbalances, etc., due to the uncertain behavior of renewable sources. To study the impact of these issues, it is necessary to analyze the behavior of the MG system under normal and abnormal operating conditions. Two different tools are used for the analysis of microgrids under normal and abnormal conditions, namely, power flow and short-circuit analysis, respectively. Power flow analysis is used to determine the voltages, currents, and real and reactive power flow in the MG system under normal operating conditions. Short-circuit analysis is carried out to analyze the behavior of MGs under faulty conditions. In this paper, a review of power flow and short-circuit analysis algorithms for MG systems under two different modes of operation, grid-connected and islanded, is presented. This paper also presents a comparison of various power flow as well as short-circuit analysis techniques for MGs in tabular form. The modeling of different components of MGs is also discussed in this paper. Full article

This paper presents the design and validation of a novel adaptive islanding detection method (AIDM) for a hybrid AC/DC microgrid network using a combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Signal Processing (SP) approaches. The proposed AIDM is aimed to detect and discriminate between the different fault/disturbance conditions that result in islanding and/or non-islanding conditions in a hybrid microgrid. For the islanding and non-islanding conditions detection by the AIDM, firstly, fault/disturbance signals are obtained from a test microgrid. Secondly, these signals are decomposed using Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transform. Thirdly, a Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) is applied for data preprocessing to increase the accuracy of the classifier. Finally, an artificial neural network (ANN) is used as the classifier for training and testing the proposed AIDM for different microgrid configurations and event scenarios. The proposed method is tested with different data categories from three different microgrid test systems with different scenarios. All modeling and simulations are executed in MATLAB Simulink Version 2023a. Results indicate that the proposed scheme could detect and discriminate between islanding and non-islanding conditions accurately in terms of dependability, precision, and accuracy. An average accuracy of 99–100% could be achieved when tested and validated with microgrid networks adapted from IEEE 13-bus systems. Full article

To enhance the power supply reliability of the microgrid cluster consisting of AC/DC hybrid microgrids, this paper proposes an innovative structure that enables backup power to be accessed quickly in the event of power source failure. The structure leverages the quick response characteristics of thyristor switches, effectively reducing the power outage time. The corresponding control strategy is introduced in detail in this paper. Furthermore, taking practical considerations into account, two types of AC/DC hybrid microgrid structures are designed for grid-connected and islanded states. These microgrids exhibit strong distributed energy consumption capabilities, simple control strategies, and high power quality. Additionally, the aforementioned structures are constructed within the MATLAB/Simulink R2023a simulation software. Their feasibility is verified, and comparisons with the existing studies are conducted using specific examples. Finally, the cost and efficiency of the application of this study are discussed. Both the above results and analysis indicate that the structures proposed in this paper can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance power supply stability. Full article

Islanded hybrid AC/DC microgrids lack support for a large grid, and the negative incremental impedance of constant power loads (CPLs) aggravates the poor anti-disturbance capability of the system. When a single-phase ground fault (SPGF) occurs, the amount of fault impulse power that islanded AC/DC hybrid microgrids can stably withstand and when the protection equipment can work are both unknown. In this paper, the method of symmetrical components is utilized, and high-signal stability criteria for islanded hybrid AC/DC microgrids when a SPGF occurs are derived based on the mixed potential theory. The proposed criteria place quantitative constraints on the power of the PV unit, DC/AC converter current inner-loop proportional parameters, inductors, and inductor equivalent resistance, as well as energy storage unit power, CPL power, capacitors, DC bus voltage, line equivalent resistance, line equivalent inductance, equivalent inductance in the faulty branch, equivalent resistance in the faulty branch, positive-sequence equivalent impulse power of the SPGF, and zero-sequence equivalent impulse power. Furthermore, the maximum impulse power of a SPGF that islanded hybrid AC/DC microgrids could stably withstand is also presented, providing guidelines for protection equipment to decide when to work. In addition, the allowable maximum CPL power that islanded hybrid AC/DC microgrids could steadily support as a SPGF occurs is deduced, and the power is usually adopted to determine the states of an energy storage unit and load shedding in advance. Simulation and experimental validations prove the correctness of the derived high-signal stability criteria. Full article

The hybrid AC/DC microgrid is an independent and controllable energy system that connects various types of distributed power sources, energy storage, and loads. It offers advantages such as a high power quality, flexibility, and cost effectiveness. The operation states of the microgrid primarily include grid-connected and islanded modes. The smooth switching between these two states is a key technology for ensuring the flexible and efficient operation of the microgrid. In this paper, the typical structure of an AC–DC hybrid microgrid and its coordination control strategy are introduced, and an improved microgrid model is proposed. Secondly, an adaptive current–voltage–frequency integrated control method based on signal compensation is proposed to solve the impulse current and voltage generated during the switching between a grid-connected state and an off-grid state. Finally, in response to unplanned grid-connected scenarios, an improved pre-synchronization control strategy based on BP neural networks is introduced to rapidly restore stable operation. The proposed control strategies enhanced the steady-state and transient stability of the hybrid wind–solar–energy storage AC/DC microgrid, achieving seamless grid-connected and islanded transitions without disturbances. The simulation and experimental results validated the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed theories. Full article

Microgrids (MGs) are systems that cleanly, efficiently, and economically integrate Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) and Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) to the electrical grid. They are capable of reducing transmission losses and improving the use of electricity and heat. However, RESs presents intermittent behavior derived from the stochastic nature of the renewable resources available on site. This can cause power-quality issues throughout the electrical grid, which can be solved by different optimization techniques and/or control strategies applied to power converters. This paper offers a detailed review of the literature regarding three important aspects: (i) Power-quality issues generated in MGs both in islanded mode and grid-connected mode; (ii) Optimization techniques used in the MGs to achieve the optimal operating conditions of the Energy Management System (EMS); and (iii) Control strategies implemented in the MGs to guarantee stability, mitigation of power-quality issues, power balance, and synchronization with the grid. It is worth mentioning that in this paper, we emphasize hybrid MGs (HMGs) since they combine the benefits of AC–MGs and DC–MGs while increasing system reliability. As the utility grid moves toward an optimal design of MG structures, this paper will serve as a foundation for future research, comparative analysis, and further development of novel techniques regarding HMGs. Full article

Optimization methods for a hybrid microgrid system that integrated renewable energy sources (RES) and supplies reliable power to remote areas, were considered in order to overcome the intermittent nature of RESs. The hybrid AC/DC microgrid system was constructed with a solar photovoltaic system, wind turbine, battery storage, converter, and diesel generator. There is a steady increase in the utilization of hybrid renewable energy sources with hybrid AC/DC microgrids; consequently, it is necessary to solve optimization techniques. Therefore, the present study proposed utilizing multi-objective optimization methods using evolutionary algorithms. In this context, a few papers were reviewed regarding multi-objective optimization to determine the capacity and optimal design of a hybrid AC/DC microgrid with RESs. Here, the optimal system consisted of the minimum cost of energy, minimum net present cost, low operating cost, low carbon emissions and a high renewable fraction. These were determined by using multi-objective optimization (MOO) algorithms. The sizing optimization of the hybrid AC/DC microgrid was based on the multi-objective grey wolf optimizer (MOGWO) and multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO). Similarly, multi-objective optimization with different evolutionary algorithms (MOGA, MOGOA etc.) reduces energy cost and net present cost, and increases the reliability of islanded hybrid microgrid systems. Full article

Recently, DC-powered devices such as loads (USB plugs, chargers, LED lighting) and distributed energy resources (solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage) have been increasingly used. Therefore, their connection to the grid requires AC/DC converters, which raises the question of operating part of the grid in DC in order to connect DC loads to DC producers and storage. In Cambodia, the electrification rate is only about 82% of the population in 2021 in rural areas. The objective of this work is to propose a low voltage microgrid comprehensive planning tool for electrification of developing countries. From the data collected on consumption needs, the objective is to find the optimal electrification scheme, i.e., AC or AC/DC distribution, optimal topology and distributed energy resources allocation and operation for both grid-connected and off-grid mode. A set of technical, economic, and environmental key performance indicators allows for comparison of solutions. The interest and efficiency of such a tool are illustrated on a real case study, an island area. Moreover, uncertainties on load consumption are also considered to assess the sensitivity and robustness of the proposed algorithm. The results show that, although the overall cost of the hybrid AC/DC microgrid is slightly higher than that of the AC microgrid, it allows a gradual electrification avoiding large initial investments. Full article

Large disturbances frequently happen in isolated AC/DC Hybrid Microgrids. Unfortunately, constant power loads (CPLs) with negative impedance characteristics are equivalent to positive feedback, resulting in an increase in large disturbances. The system can easily become unstable. Consequently, large signal stability criteria are proposed in this paper. Combined with a three-dimensional region of asymptotic stability (3D RAS) method for islanded AC/DC Hybrid Microgrids, important parameters to increase stability margins were determined. Firstly, mixed potential theory was used to derive a large-signal stability criterion. The criteria gave constraints on filtering parameters, CPL power, power of the battery to charge and discharge, AC resistive loads, and DC bus voltage. Then, Lyapunov functions were constructed, and the Lasalle invariance principle was adopted to achieve 3D RAS. When large disturbances emerged, and simultaneously voltage and current varied in 3D RAS, the system always obtained stability and reached new steady-state equilibrium points. Finally, according to comparisons, bigger capacitances of the DC bus capacitor and the AC capacitor, larger battery discharging power and smaller charging power could significantly increase stability margins of islanded Microgrids. Simulations and experimental data have shown that the large signal stability criteria and the 3D RAS work. Full article

Due to the energy crisis and exhaustion in the amount of fossil fuels left, there is an urge to increase the penetration of renewables in the grid. This paper deals with the design and control of a hybrid microgrid (HMG) in the presence of variable renewable energy sources. The DC sub-grid consists of a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) wind turbine, solar PV array with a perturb-and-observe (P&O) MPPT algorithm, boost converter, and battery energy storage system (BESS) with DC loads. The AC sub-grid consists of a PMSG wind turbine and a fuel cell with an inverter circuit synchronized to the grid to meet its load demand. A bidirectional interlinking converter (IC) connects the AC sub-grid and DC sub-grid, which facilitates power exchange between them. The decentralized control of converters allows all the renewables to operate in coordination independently without communication between them. The proposed control algorithm of the IC enables it to act as an active power filter in addition to the power exchange operation. The active power filtering feature of the IC helps to retain the power quality of the microgrid as per IEEE 519 standards by providing reactive power support and reducing the harmonic levels to less than 5%. The HMG with the proposed algorithm can operate in both grid-connected and islanded modes. While operating in grid-connected mode, power exchange between DC and AC sub-grids takes place and all the load demands are met. If it is in islanded mode, a diesel generator supports the AC sub-grid to meet the critical load demands and the BESS supports the DC microgrid. The proposed model is designed and simulated using MATLAB-SIMULINK and its results are analyzed. The efficacy of the proposed control is highlighted by comparing it with the existing controls and testing the HMG for load variations. Full article

Aiming to solve the problem of voltage fluctuation of critical load caused by lack of control when an unplanned island occurs in a microgrid, a voltage stabilizing control strategy of critical load based on electric spring is proposed in this paper. When unplanned islanding occurs in a microgrid system, the system bus voltage fluctuates dramatically due to instantaneous power imbalance, compromising the power supply safety of important loads on the bus. In this paper, the electric spring control mode is integrated into the voltage stabilizing control strategy of critical loads in an unplanned island for the first time to realize the protection of critical loads. First of all, a model of an optical storage AC/DC hybrid microgrid is built, the overall system architecture is determined, and the microgrid is divided into four working states. Second, the working principle of electric spring is introduced, and a decoupling control strategy based on double closed loop is proposed. Finally, the experimental simulation of the proposed control strategy is experimentally simulated in Matlab/Simulink environment. The simulation findings show that when the bus voltage and current of microgrid change due to an unplanned island, the proposed control strategy based on electric spring may achieve the stability of voltage and current on critical loads. Full article

In this paper, a new double-layer droop control mode for island AC/DC microgrids is proposed to realize autonomous and cost-effective operation. The optimal power reference iterative algorithm is used to realize the internal active power distribution in the subnet. On this basis, secondary frequency and voltage adjustments are introduced to realize the economic operation, autonomy and stability of the subnet. At the microgrid level, the local control strategy of cost micro increment deviation is designed to optimize the exchange power between subnets. The cooperation of the two can realize the global economic operation of the microgrid, as well as voltage following and frequency regulation in the subnet. Based on the hybrid AC/DC microgrid simulation model, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified. Full article