Micro-grid

Micro-grid Topics

History and basic theory

State of the art designs and products

Technical and social impacts

Challenges and R&D

Applications and demonstrations

Anti-islanding detection method

 History and basic theory: Definition:

The micro-grid concept is a natural evolution of distributed resources that may be used to serve energy customers. It is a small-scale power supply network that is designed to provide power for a small community. It enables local power generation for local loads.

It comprises of various small power generation sources that makes it highly flexible and efficient

What is a Micro-Grid?
Renewable energy sources. Conventional distributed generators

Example of a Micro-grid creating a power quality park

History of Micro-grid
The concept of Micro-grid it is a modern of reformulation of the origins of the power systems. The early power industry( 1880-1910) had already implemented micro-grid architectures.

Micro-grid service area

Single-Customer Micro-Grid Radial Customer Group Full Substation -Based Micro-Grid Micro-Grids Operating with Multiple Dispersed Resources

Adaptable Micro-Grid That Breaks Into Sub-Grids

Networked Primary Micro-Grid

Micro-Grids Operating with Multiple Dispersed Resources

There is considerable interest in developing micro-grids with multiple generators at widely dispersed locations and with a variety of generation types, including various combinations of solar, wind, fuel cell, reciprocating engine, combustion turbines, and energy-storage devices.

Adaptable Micro-Grid That Breaks Into Sub-Grids

Micro-grid service area

Micro-Grids Operating with Multiple Dispersed Resources

There is considerable interest in developing micro-grids with multiple generators at widely dispersed locations and with a variety of generation types, including various combinations of solar, wind, fuel cell, reciprocating engine, combustion turbines, and energy-storage devices.

Adaptable Micro-Grid That Breaks Into Sub-Grids

AC versus DC Micro-Grids
DC in Micro-Grids
Today, there is much interest in the possibility of revisiting DC as a means for distributing power on such systems. Many distributed generation sources generates their energy as DC sources Avoid synchronization issues Avoid the reactive voltage drop Many loads can operate satisfactorily from DC power Improved inverters and power electronics allow DC power to be converted easily and efficiently to different voltage levels and to AC power.

Impact of Micro-grid

Widely applied in developed world

With Higher Efficient

Take China as an example: Nowadays: 33% rate without application of grids, 40% for Supercritical coal-fired thermal power units Future( if apply grids):can be partially enhanced to 80% for coal-fired units

Cleaner Power:

Traditional way
Centralized High power Long transmission with more losses Usually using coal-fired and some other fossil fuel

Microgrids
Distributed Locally satisfied Transmission with less losses Usually using solar and wind power Smart control

Problems: Technics Its control and protection functions become more complicated Micro grids can cause several technical problems in its operation and control when operated as autonomous systems.

Problem of protection as an example

Its control and protection functions become more complicated Micro grids can cause several technical problems in its operation and control when operated as autonomous systems.

Problem of protection as an example

Challenges / Research and Development

Increase autonomy for islanded and parallel operation Improve operations and control of interconnected, semi-independent micro-grids Improve small-scale power source technologies Reduce peak load demand from the macro-grid

Increased Autonomy
Semi-independent operation benefits: Can be more cost-effective More reliable due to islanding capability Not dependent on macro-grid fluctuations Optimization of power sources for renewability Optimization of power use for critical loads DOEs smart grid Important for resiliency of the grid

Operational Challenges
Managing multiple semi-independent entities on an interconnected macro-grid Developing a procedure for appropriate fault detection Developing a procedure for separation and subsequent islanding of a micro-grid Developing a procedure for resynchronization and reconnection to the macro-grid infrastructure Control and mitigation of transients during separation and reconnection

Technologies
Development of small-scale power sources: Solar cells Fuel cells Reciprocating engine

 Small wind turbines Waste heat recovery Cogeneration sources for heat and electricity Example: Fuel cell power plant for 250 homes

Cost Challenges
High upfront cost of micro-grids can be prohibitive for many organizations Research into more efficient renewable sources will help

Peak Load Reduction

Micro-grids have been studied in hopes of reducing the peak load on the macro-grid Transmission losses are avoided with power generation and usage occurring in the same vicinity Additional power is supplemented from micro-grid power generation U.S. DOE is supporting 9 RDSI (Renewable and Distributed Systems Integration) projects to attain a goal of 15% peak demand reduction

Power Generation:
Photovoltaic Systems (700kW) Monitored, but not controlled Generators (2830kW) 9 diesel, 5 natural gas, 2 bio-gas generators Issues

 Emissions, reliability, Commissioning

Power Demand Resources:

11 asset groups (650 kW) Temporarily reduced and controlled if needed Ice thermal storage (310 kW) Issues Interfacing with control systems Response time

Technology Application
Microgrid: Power Generation at the University of California in San Diego

Cogeneration: Impetus
Deregulation of utilities in California Elimination of parting load charges Loss of anti-cogeneration incentives Opportunity to utilize existing on-campus steam production

Photovoltaic Modules
Total installation of 1.2 MW $200 annual operations and maintenance cost Solar output forecasting techniques in development

 Ceilometers: produce 1-hour-ahead forecast for 1 MW of PV for supply/load/storage adjustments based on dynamic market price signals

Additional System Components

3 MW molten carbonate fuel cell Uses waste methane Energy Storage Flow battery utilizing lead-acid technology Novel materials increase power, resist corrosion

Scalable to grid-level storage capabilities Controls

DynaElectric Control System Integrated with campus energy management system and automated by Johnson Controls equipment Metasys graphical control user interface SCADA systems

Modes of Operations: How the Grid Connected Inverter Works - Stand-by mode:
In stand-by mode the inverter is ready to switch into Grid mode. If the power generated by the wind turbine is insufficient for grid operation, the inverter remains in stand-by mode until the wind turbine has generated sufficient power to switch into connecting mode. - Connecting mode: After all system checks have been performed, in the course of which it is tested whether all connection conditions have been complied with, the inverter switches from stand-by mode to connecting mode. The inverter continues to check system values for the predefined connecting period, and if system checks are still OK, the inverter connects to the grid. Minimum connecting times are specified by utilities and authorities and may differ from region to region.

- Grid mode: In this mode the inverter is connected to the grid and delivers power to the grid. The inverter only leaves grid mode if a failure occurs or the wind power disappears. In this mode the inverter always works in the MPPT (maximum power point tracking) mode. This is the devices normal operating mode. The power taken by the inverter from the wind generator is also shown below this on the display. This is always more than the power supplied by the network. The difference is the so-called power loss of the inverter. It determines the conversion efficiency of the device. The power loss is emitted as heat. - Fault When there is a fault happen, the inverter will switching off and go into fault mode to protect the wind power system. - Dumping load When under strong wind conditions, high turbine rotation speeds makes the output voltage of wind generator raise to a dangerous high value. In order to protect the wind turbine, reduce the turbine rotation speed and the generator output voltage can be carried out by switching in a resistor assembly (Dump load).In this mode, the electrical energy generated by the turbine is then converted to heat. Connecting to the Grid The inverter operation is fully automatic, and the inverter automatically detects when grid connection is possible. The inverter works as follows when connecting to the grid: - When wind power is available and the wind turbine starts to rotate,wind generator starts

to power. - The rectifier starts charging the DC bus to 600 V - The AC modules receive power from the DC bus and start operating. The AC modules then switch into stand-by mode. - If the DC input voltage exceeds 650V, inverter is allowed in grid operation. - The inverter checks that grid conditions are OK. - The inverter monitors grid conditions for 30 seconds and then connects to the AC grid. Supplying Power to the Grid After grid connection, go into MPPT mode and control input voltage to achieve maximum power transfer. During grid connection, all inverter and grid parameters are monitored. Disconnecting from the Grid If wind power is insufficient to generate power for the grid (when internal inverter power consumption is more or less equal to the available wind power), the inverter disconnects from the grid and goes into stand-by mode. The inverter continues to monitor the wind power available. If the wind power becomes available again within 5 minutes, a new grid connection procedure is initiated. If no wind power is available after 5 minutes, the inverter goes into stand-by mode to save power. Conditions that cause the Grid Tie Inverter to be disconnected from the grid: Grid voltage: The grid voltage may be within a range of 15% and +10% of the nominal grid voltage. Once the grid voltage exceeds this range the inverter is disconnected from the grid with

ISLANDING MODE:
Islanding refers to the condition in which a distributed (DG) generator continues to power a location even though electrical grid power from the electric utility is no longer present. Islanding can be dangerous to utility workers, who may not realize that a circuit is still powered, and it may prevent automatic re-connection of devices. For that reason, distributed generators must detect islanding and immediately stop producing power; this is referred to as anti-islanding. The common example of islanding is a grid supply line that has solar panels attached to it. In the case of a blackout, the solar panels will continue to deliver power as long as brightness is sufficient. In this case, the supply line becomes an "island" with power surrounded by a "sea" of unpowered lines. For this reason, solar inverters that are designed to supply power to the grid are generally required to have some sort of automatic anti-islanding circuitry in them. In intentional islanding, the generator disconnects from the grid, and forces the distributed generator to power the local circuit. This is often used as a power backup system for buildings that normally sell their excess power to the grid.