Journal International Association on Electricity Generation, Transmission and Distribution
Year : 2020, Volume : 33, Issue : 2
First page : ( 25) Last page : ( 30)
Print ISSN : 2250-012X. Online ISSN : 2229-4449.

Micro grid control and protection

Bhatia Sanjeev

Member, IEEE and Member, CIGRE

Online published on 15 October, 2020.

Abstract

With the increasing awareness of environment aspects, limited use of fossil fuels and need to feed power in remote areas, distributed generation is gaining popularity. Microgrid allows integration of Renewable Energy Generation such as Photovoltaic, Wind and Fuel Cell generations. Microgrid can be used for optimum use of generated energy, storage, and use of the same near load centers itself. Microgrid can operate in gridconnected or islanded mode and provides flexibility in managing power system. When microgrid operates in grid connected environment, this provides flexibility in drawing power from grid or supplying energy to grid in times of excess power availability besides better voltage and frequency control. In island mode of operation, microgrids can operate independently to provide electricity to the remote locations or to keep providing power in emergency situations like grid fault. With the increasing penetration of distributed generation power sources, some technical challenges in network operation and system stability are imposed. Since microgrids have relatively smaller capacity, they are vulnerable to random variation in generation and load which may cause operational stability. Due to relatively smaller capacity distribution generation sources, active and reactive power requirement to be monitored in island mode of operation and may require to be compensated, if required. Conventional distribution systems are normally supplied through one source and has unidirectional power flow. However, in distributed generation systems there can be scenarios of bi-directional power flow and this creates complexity in protection system with respect to discrimination and selectivity. This Paper will provide overview on challenges in microgrid operation in grid connected and island mode operation. Paper will cover required control and protection measures to take care of these challenges and for reliable operation of microgrid in grid connected as well as island mode of operation.

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