CICED2008

83-25

Technical Session 3 Protection, Control, Communication and Automation of Distribution Network

CT 1800

Microgrids - An Integration of Renewable Energy Technologies

Xuan Liu, Bin Su
Corporate Research, ABB (China) Limited, Beijing, 100016

Abstract: Microgrids may be a prospective power system

(PQR). Microgrids are embedded in distribution systems,

that addresses the renewable energy technologies (RET)

especially small-scale combined heat and power (CHP), and

technologies accompanying necessary growing deployment of

within customer commercial or industrial facilities by

distributed energy resources (DER), especially small-scale

incorporating modern controls that enable them to operate

combined heat and power (CHP) and small-scale renewable

with a degree of autonomy from the traditional macrogrid.

energy sources (RES). This article introduces the RET

The growing requirements for the energy services provided

expected to be applied in the microgrids system depending on

by electricity will be met using a collage of approaches,

the RES. The RET include: microturbines, fuel cells,

technologies, and solutions. Examination of the electricity

photovoltaic cells, solar thermal arrays, and wind turbines

demand growth problem indicates that microgrids are well

installations, also, the storage, load control, power and

suited to play a significant role in the future evolution of

voltage regulation and heat recovery units need to be grouped

energy service provision [1, 2].

together into Microgrids. Furthermore, several installations

Distributed energy resources (DER), including DG and

engaged in active experiments in the microgrid area around

distributed storage (DS), are sources of energy located near

the world are introduced. The Microgrids can meet the cost,

local loads and can provide a variety of benefits including

efficiency, and environmental benefits; and the demanding

improved reliability if they are properly operated in the

requirements for security, quality, reliability, and availability

electrical distribution system. Integration of various DG

(SQRA) benefits of on-site generation, achieved by

technologies with the utility power grid is an important

incorporating modern controls and operating with a degree of

pathway to a clean, reliable, secure, and efficient energy

autonomy. Market acceptability of DER technologies and the

system for developed economies with established levels of

gradual and consistent increase in their depth of penetration

quality and reliability of electrical service [3] Various studies

have generated significant interest in integration, controls,

have found that a large number of utilities as well as

and optimal operation of DER units in the context of

consumers that have installed DGs at their facilities realize

microgrids. The development of the microgrid based on the

benefits like local waste heat capture, improved reliability and

distributed generation together with the opportunities offered

reduced cost [4-7]. A microgrid is created by connecting a

by renewables, could have a major effect on the way rural

local group of small power generators using advanced

electrification is approached, not only in electrified countries

sensoring, communications, and control technologies.

The present paper introduces the concept of microgrid

but also in developing countries.

Keywords: Microgrids, Renewable Energy Technologies,

firstly, then, briefly reviews the main RES and explores key

Distributed Generation, Energy Management and Control,

DG technologies raised by the Microgrid. The advantages of

microgrids

Combined Heat and Power, Rural Electrification

1. INTRODUCTION
technical

concerns

technical

challenges

associated

with

installations engaged in active experiments in the microgrid

Microgrids may be a prospective framework that

addresses

and

Microgrids design and operation is described. At last, several

accompanying

area around the world are introduced.

necessary

growing deployment of renewable energy sources (RES) by

distributed power generation (DG) technologies to meet the
increasing requirements for power quality and reliability

2. integration of technologies for Microgrids

CICED2008

2.1

Technical Session 3 Protection, Control, Communication and Automation of Distribution Network

Microgrid Structure

and supplies about 3.4 percent of global electricity production

Microgrids are systems that have at least one DER and

[II] (See Fig. 3). The available RES at present include: Wind

associated loads and can form intentional islands in the

power; Solar thermal; Solar photovoltaic; Hydro power;

electrical distribution systems. Within microgrids, loads and

Biomass energy; Geothermal energy; Waves and tides energy.

energy sources can be disconnected from and reconnected to

In recent years, the wind and solar energy are the fastest

the area or local electric power system with minimal

growing source of energy around the world [12], and the wind

disruption to the local loads. Fig. I shows the schematic

energy has been proved competitive with the conventional

structure of microgrids. The required flexible load can be met

resource in power market.

under controlled operation at high energy efficiency due to

Biofuels0.3%

providing both power and heat. The key technical issues

<, Power genoration0.8%

raised by microgrid include: RET, DO, load control, and

Hot w' lcrJ1lO'ling 1.3%

Large hydropower 3%

power electronic interfaces.

Traditi onal biom ass
13%

Fig. 2 Renewable energy share of global final

energy consumption

Large hydropower 15%

New ren ew ables 3.4%

Fig. I A typicalmicrogrid structure

2.2 Renewable Energy Source (RES)

RES can provide sustainable energy services with the

Fig. 3 Shareof globalelectricityfrom renewable energy

function of readily available hybrid, achieving solutions to

result in minimal local environmental damage and net
emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The potential role of

2.3 Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs)

RES in transforming global energy consumption is enormous.

Renewable energy power plants have been developed in

A transition to renewable-based energy power systems looks

the past several decades. DG is used in microgrid to mean

increasingly desirable and possible because the costs of

utilization of small generators that are located in the

renewable energy power systems have dropped substantially

distribution system or on sites to supply electricity.

in the past 30 years. Most forecasts indicate that costs of

Integration of various DG technologies with a grid named

renewably produced electricity should continue to decline [8].

microgrid is an important pathway to a clean, reliable, secure,

The three "E" - energy, ecology, economy development

and efficient energy system for developed economies with

requirement have opened new opportunities for on-site power

established levels of quality and reliability of electrical

generation application in the renewable energy conversion

service. Numerous promising DO, DS, and load management

technologies [9].

technologies are under development or are entering early

RES currently supplies 18 percent of the world's total

commercialization stages, and the DG technologies have the

energy demand [10, II] (See Fig. 2). Renewable energy

destiny to shape MicroGrids[13,I4] .

replaces conventional fuels in four distinct sectors: power

Microturbines: Microturbines are composed of a generator

generation, hot water and space heating, transport fuels, and

and small gas turbine mounted on a single shaft. These units

rural (off-grid) energy. In power generation, renewable energy

currently range in size from 30 to about 100 kW. A

comprises about percent of global power generating capacity

CICED2008

Technical Session 3 Protection, Control, Communication and Automation of Distribution Network

microturbine typically has 20-30 percent efficiency. CHP

load changes as needed[15]. Load changes are usually caused

operation can increase overall system efficiency to 70-80

by short-lived events, such as fast transients resulting from

percent. With the use of CHP, microturbines could generate

starting of motors or turning on/off of equipment, or from

on-site power at costs competitive with those for current

slower changes that exceed the ramping capability of

purchased power.

generation available at any given time. Storage systems can

Fuel Cells: A number of fuel cell technologies are either

be designed to switch into operation in subcycle time frames,

under development or currently being used to generate power.

so they are ideal for tracking fast load changes or immediately

The attraction of fuel cells is their potential for highly

providing back-up if utility power is lost.

efficient conversion to electrical power (35 to 55 percent

Batteries: Batteries are the traditional method of storing

without heat recovery). The technology in general used in

electrical energy; there is considerable operational experience

microgrid is the phosphoric acid fuel cell; CHP operation also

with battery systems. Lead-acid batteries, available in almost

boosts the overall fuel conversion efficiency. A number of

any size, are used in many applications that require back-up

other fuel cell technologies are being developed, including:

power. Batteries using other chemistries are now also

proton exchange membrane, molten carbonate, and solid

available commercially, for example the flow batteries.

oxide.

Recent improvements have increased energy storage density

Photovoltaic Cells: Photovoltaic (PV) devices have been in

and extended battery lifetimes.

existence for many years since their early use in the U.S.

Flywheels: These systems now incorporate composite rotors,

space program. They rely on sunlight to produce DC voltage

magnetic

at cell terminals. The amounts of voltage and current that PV

Flywheels store energy in high-speed (up to 100,000-rpm)

bearings,

and

advanced

power

electronics.

cells can produce depend on the intensity of sunlight and the

rotating

design of the cell. PV systems use cell arrays that are either

motor/generators. The amount of power stored in the flywheel

fixed or track the sun to capture additional energy. Storage is

is proportional to the square of the rotational speed. The

wheel-like

rotors

or

disks

connected

to

required for standalone systems if power requirements exceed

energy stored in flywheels can be discharged at high power

available sunlight. PV systems operate highly reliably, quietly,

(kW) for a short time or at a slower rate for a longer period.

and with no emissions.

Superconducting

Magnetic

Energy

Storage:

Solar Thermal: The main technology for small-scale

Superconductors allow the passage of electrical current

generation technologies in the solar thermal field is the

without losses. Electrical energy is stored as a circulating

sterling dish. This technology is being tested in the 10-25kW

current in a superconducting coil of wire. This circulating

range. In this system, light is concentrated on a small receiver

current establishes a magnetic field in which the energy is

by a sun-tracking array of mirrors. The heat collected by the

stored. Power electronic interfaces charge and discharge the

receiver is transferred to the hot end of a sterling engine. The

superconducting coil.

sterling engine uses working fluid in a closed cycle to push

Supercapacitors: Supercapacitors are very-high-capacity

pistons and generate shaft rotation. In a sterling dish, shaft

electrolytic devices that store energy in the form of

rotation is used to spin an induction generator that is

electrostatic charge. They are composed of two electrodes

connected to the electric grid.

with a very thin separator. Energy storage capacity increases

Wind: Wind generation has been commercially available for

as the surface area of the electrodes increases.

many years. The main push has been in large wind farms

2.5 Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

where wind turbines from 700kW to 1.5MW are available and

Heat recovery technologies for use in combined heat and

in use. These machines typically use an induction generator

power (CHP) systems are necessary for MicroGrid viability.

driven by a rotor with blades. When the turbine is operating in

One important potential benefit of MicroGrids is an expanded

stand-alone mode, any power requirement in excess of the

opportunity to utilize the waste heat from conversion of

wind energy available must be supplied by storage systems or

primary fuel to electricity. Because typically half to

other generation.

three-quarters of the primary energy consumed in power

2.4 Distributed Storage (DS) Technologies

generation

is

ultimately

released

unutilized

to

the

Storage is important in the MicroGrid both because peak

environment, the potential gains from using this heat

loads are expensive to serve with purchased power and

productively are significant. Unlike electricity, heat, usually

MicroGrid generation sources may not be able to respond to

in the form of steam or hot water, cannot be easily or

CICED2008

Technical Session 3 Protection, Control, Communication and Automation of Distribution Network

economically transported long distances, so CHP systems

small-scale renewable generation investments.

typically provide heat for industrial processes, on-site space

Flexibility: Flexibility is a feature of power system which is

heating, local district heating, or for domestic hot water or

easiest to identify in the portfolio of power plant. CHP

sterilization. These are key enabling technologies for

operation occurs in microgrids makes the power network both

MicroGrids and DER generally. MicroGrids can capture two

more efficient and more flexible.

Since transporting

significant potential advantages over existing larger scale

electricity is much more convenient than transporting heat,

CHP systems:

placing generation where economically attractive heat sinks

exist may be a desirable generation configuration. Optimal

1. The production of heat can move closer to the point of

use. Because electricity is more readily transported than heat,

dispersion might suggest generators be small and deeply

generation of heat close to the location of the heat load will

embedded with demand.

usually make more sense than generation of heat close to the

Heterogeneous PQR: Various methods for measuring power

electrical load, and the MicroGrid permits generators to be

quality and power reliability are often used in quantifying

placed optimally in relation to heat loads.

levels of electrical service

[17].

Unscheduled outages are

2. The scale of heat production for individual units is

generally much more disruptive and threatening to people and

small and therefore offers greater flexibility in matching to

property, while deterioration in power quality has mixed and

heat requirements. A MicroGrid could be constructed from

less dramatic effects such as voltage sags, swells, harmonics,

the most economic combination of waste-heat-producing

imbalances, etc. While the ideal is rarely achieved in practice,

generators and non-waste-heat producing generators so that

the prevailing macrogrid paradigm is to provide a universal

the combined generation of electricity and heat is optimized.

level ofPQR to every load in the network.

2.6 Electrical Environment

Meeting 3E requirement: The adopter of generating

As discussed earlier, the RETs shape the key principle of

technologies, and also as the possible selector of technologies

microgrid, but another key feature that makes the MicroGrid

on the demand side, people holds a unique vantage point that

possible

and

seems absent in the macrogrid. The alternatives on both

communications capabilities that permit a MicroGrid to

is

the

power

electronics,

control,

demand and supply sides have a chance at being even

function as a semiautonomous power system. The power

handedly considered, and alternatives that have a hard time

electronics are the critical distinguishing feature of the

getting the attention of the macrogrid, such as renewables,

MicroGrid. Beside the energy conversion and store depending

perhaps have a better chance of being chosen.

on the renewable energy and distributed generations, a mount

4. Installation and experiments of microgrids

of electrical issues for operation are introduced to microgrid,

including:

Around the world, there are several installations engaged

Interconnection issues:

in active experiments in the microgrid area covering an array

a) Standards;

of technologies. As part of this research, microgrid topologies

b) System protection;

and operational configurations are being defined and design

c) Interface

criteria

Voltage regulation

applications.

Monitoring and control

In the United States

established

for

all

possibilities

of

microgrid

Fig. 4 shows a microgrid of Consortium for Electric

Load balancing
Power interactions

Reliability

Technology

Solutions

(CERTS) located

at

Harmonic resonance

American Electric Power's Walnut test site in Columbus,

Ohio[18]. It consists of three 60-kW converter based sources

3. Benefits of Microgrids

and a thyristor based static switch. The prime part in this case

The major benefits of microgrids focus on three aspects

is an automobile internal combustion engine run on natural

[16]: 1. Flexibility of power system; 2. Opportunities to tailor

gas. It drives a synchronous generator at variable speeds to

the quality of power delivered to suit the requirements of

achieve maximum efficiencies over a wide range of loads.

end-uses, here called heterogeneous power quality and

The output is rectified and inverted to insure a constant AC

reliability (PQR); and 3. The more favorable environment

frequency at the microgrid.

microgrids potentially establish for energy efficiency and

4

CICED2008

Technical Session 3 Protection, Control, Communication and Automation of Distribution Network

converters, was constructed. A block diagram of the supply

system for the project is shown in Figure 5. The Aichi project
experienced a second grid-independent operation mode in
September 2007.

Fig.6 Overviewof the Hachinoheproject

In the Kyotango project, gas engines with a total
capacity of 400 kW were installed together with a 250kW

Fig. 4 CERTS microgrid

MCFC and a 100kW lead-acid battery. In remote locations,

In Japan

two PV systems and one 50kW small wind turbine were also

The

New

Energy

and

Industrial

Technology

installed.

Development Organization (NEDO) is currently supporting a

variety

of

microgrid

demonstration

projects

The Hachinohe project (Figure 6) features a microgrid

applying

system constructed using a private distribution line measuring

renewable and distributed generation[19] . The first group of

more than 5km. The private distribution line was constructed

projects, called Regional Power Grids with Various New

to transmit electricity primarily generated by the gas engine

Energies, was implemented at three locations in Japan: Expo

system. Several PV systems and small wind turbines are also

2005 Aichi, recently moved to the Central Japan Airport City

connected to the microgrid. At the power plant, three 170kW

(Aichi project), Kyoto Eco-Energy project (Kyotango project),

gas engines and a 50kW PV system have been installed.

and Regional Power Grid with Renewable Energy Resources

In Canada

in Hachinohe City (Hachinohe project). In these three projects,

In Canada, the customers in Boston Bar town had been

control systems capable of matching energy demand and

exposed to power outages of 12 to 20 hours two or three times

supply for microgrid operation were established.

per year. In this area, as shown in Figure 7, the implemented

option to reduce sustained power-outage durations is based on

:1 EX"''''

,--.-

utilizing a local independent power producer (IPP), to operate

:i
~ ~'''.'''-''----Ii
:1
__ UCcoo,~ u.c:o-Gtld

-- -----."". ' I
:

in an intentional island mode and supply the town load on one

>-~~

or more feeders ofthe substation. The Boston Bar IPP has two

500Ft :

(;t1,. W1

3.45 MW hydro power generators and is connected to one of

the three feeders with a peak load of3.0 MW.

In Europe
The European Union has supported two major research
efforts devoted exclusively to microgrids. The Microgrids
project focused on the operation of a single microgrid, has
successfully investigated appropriate control techniques, and
Fig. 5 Diagramof Aichi Microgridproject

demonstrated the feasibility of microgrid operation through

In the Aichi project, a power supply system utilizing fuel

cells, PY, and a battery storage system, all equipped with

CICED2008

Technical Session 3 Protection, Control, Communication and Automation of Distribution Network

1---------1
I
Boson Bar Substation
I
I

,I

Feader 1

Feeder 2

I
I
I
1

14 MVA
69125kV

I
1

7.0 MW Independent
Power Producer

Fig. 7 Systemconfiguration for the Boston Bar IPP and BC Hydro planned islandingsite
laboratory experiments. A pilot installation was installed in
Kythnos Island, Greece, that evaluated a variety of DER to

10 kV Utility Network

create a microgrid. Continuing microgrid projects in Greece

Dyn5

include a laboratory facility (Figure 8) that has been set up at

400 kVA

the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), with

Automatic
Islanding and
Reconnection
630 A Switch

200 A

the objective to test small-scale equipment and control

LV Feeder 1
LV Feeder 2
LV Feeder 3

strategies for microgrid operation. The system comprises

LV Feedar 4

two poles, each equipped with local (PV and wind)

generation and battery storage, connected to each other via a
low-voltage line as well as to the main grid. Each pole may
operate as a microgrid via its own connection to the grid, or

Fig.9 Schematicfor the Bronsbergen HolidayPark micirgrid

both poles may be connected via the low-voltage line to

In china

form a two-bus microgrid connected to the main grid at one

Fig. 10 shows a grid-connected photovoltaic sun power

end.
One of the more Microgrids projects is located at

supply system named full-automatic sun-oriented system was

Bronsbergen Holiday Park, located near Zutphen in the

installed in Beijing Chaoyang Park. The feature of the solar

Netherlands . It comprises 210 cottages, 108 of which are

cells array moving along with sun position enhances the

equipped with grid-connected PV systems. The park is

efficiency of power generation more than 30%.

electrified by a traditional three-phase 400-V network, which

is connected to a 10-kV medium-voltage network via a
distribution transformer located on the premises (Figure 9).

Fig. 10 PV array in Beijing, China

5. Conclusion

Fig.8 Laboratory microgridfacility at NTUA, Greece

MicroGrids is a prospective approach to integrating

6

CICED2008

various

Technical Session 3 Protection, Control, Communication and Automation of Distribution Network

renewable

2000.

energy technologies into electricity

[5]

distribution networks, or more generally, into the current

Poore W. P., Stovall T. K., Kirby B. 1., Rizy D. T.,

wider power system. In addition to generating technologies,

Kueck 1. D., Stovall 1. P.. Connecting distributed energy

MicroGrids also include storage, load control and heat

resources to the grid: Their benefits to the DER-

recovery equipment. MicroGrids would be designed to

owner/customer, other customers, the utility, and society.

Rep. No. ORNL/TM-2001/290, ORNL, 2002.

operate independently, usually operating connected to the grid

but islanding from it. Microgrids will provide improved

[6]

electric service reliability and better power quality to end

ORNL-DOE. Connecting distributed energy resources

to the grid. Rep. Update, March 2002. www.eere.energy.
gov/del pdfs/ subsetsdataanalysis1.pdf Dec. 21, 2005.

customers and can also benefit local utilities by providing

[7]

dispatchable load for use during peak power conditions and

Daley J. M., Siciliano R. L.. Application of emergency

and standby generation for distributed generation I:

alleviating or postponing distribution system upgrades.

Market acceptability of DER technologies and the

Concepts and hypotheses. IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., 39(4):

gradual and consistent increase in their depth of penetration

1214-1225,2004
[8]

have generated significant interest in integration, controls,

Herzog A. V., Lipman T. E, Edwards 1. L, Kammen D.

and optimal operation of DER units in the context of

M. Renewable energy: a viable choice. Environment,

microgrids. To make the most out of the emerging microgrid

43:8-20,2001

planning

and

architectural

approach,

[9]

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Int. Energy Agency. World Energy Outlook 2002. Paris:

IEA2002

market-compatible deployment has to be applied using

[10] BTM Consultant ApS. International wind energy

advanced tools. In the practical transition from the current

centrally supplied grids toward microgrid-oriented system

development, world market update 2002, forecast

designs, the key requirements are development and utilization

2003-2007, March 20, 2003.

of safe and dependable communication infrastructure and

[11] RENEWABLES 2007 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT,

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The progress in the field of renewables

http://www.ren21.net/globalstatusreport/g2007.asp, 2007
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technology has been significant and new opportunities present

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[13] Robert H. Lasseter, CERTS MICROGRID, International

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Anton, April 16-18, 2007

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countries but also in developing countries.

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