AdvancedTopic 85 of 106Electrical Engineering
Microgrids
Local grids that can operate connected to or isolated from the main grid.
In depth
A microgrid combines loads and distributed generation with controls to operate grid-connected or islanded. It improves resilience for hospitals, campuses and remote areas. Challenges: protection with low fault current, frequency and voltage control, and seamless transition.
Key points
- Point of common coupling
- Droop control
- Energy management systems
ExampleA remote island runs on solar, batteries and a diesel backup.
What is Microgrids?
Local grids that can operate connected to or isolated from the main grid.
Why is it important to understand microgrids?
Microgrids can supply a community or campus on its own during outages, and they help integrate local renewables and storage.
How does a microgrid island?
It disconnects from the main grid at a point of common coupling and balances its own generation and load.
What control is needed in a microgrid?
Control of voltage, frequency and power sharing among local sources, and a safe transition between grid-connected and island modes.
How is Microgrids used in practice?
Typical applications include powering a hospital campus during a grid outage with a local generator and batteries, supplying a remote village with solar and a diesel backup and running a university campus that can island from the main grid.
What should I learn before Microgrids?
Study "Smart grids" first (topic 84 of 106 in Electrical Engineering). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Microgrids?
Point of common coupling. Droop control. Energy management systems.
Can you give an example of Microgrids?
A remote island runs on solar, batteries and a diesel backup.
What comes after Microgrids?
The next topic is "Electric vehicles and charging", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Microgrids?
It is classed as Advanced in Electrical Engineering (topic 85 of 106). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Electrical Engineering.