A model for the design and development of smart micro grids.

Authors: Antonella Scaglia, Claudio Brocca, Giordano Torri

giordano.torri@asiansaldo.com, antonella.scaglia@asiansaldo.com,
claudio.brocca@asiansaldo.com
Ansaldo Sistemi Industriali - S.p.A. viale Sarca 336, Milano, Italy.
www.asiansaldo.com
Key words: smart micro grid, active front end converter, renewable energies.
Abstract:
Energy means secure sources, independence of provisions, reduction of CO2 emissions,
efficiency, controllable costs. The diffusion of renewable energies means distributed
generation, or generators installed anywhere, connected to grids in several points, random
production. This paper describes a model of smart micro grids suitable for limited areas
already served by existing networks and for remote zones where electricity is not available.
This design integrates distributed generators, load controls and main grid exchange by using a
power management system. Maximum energy efficiency and saving is the scope of the design
as well as promotion of renewables. Some application cases are shown.
1

Forewords.

Nowadays, energy is the main topic under discussion all around the world. Many issues are
related to energy simply because our ways of life depends on energy. So, this word calls
to mind a lot of questions: how to get secure sources of energy, how to achieve independent
provisions of the energy we need, how to reduce the CO2 emissions, how to get a cleaner
world, how to get lower and controllable costs. All these issues are cross-correlated and it is
not easy to give a global answer to all these questions. Meanwhile, a strategy is being
implemented based on so-called renewable energies. Our world is changing while we are
discussing how to change it and the introduction of renewable sources in a random way
implies facing new problems we have not had to deal with in the past. However, at the same
time, this is a chance to experiment new ways to introduce solutions for solving even if only
partially, the issues listed above.
The progressive extensions of the renewable green energies, mainly wind and sun, are de
facto modifying the transmission and distribution network. Energy is no longer going to be
produced in one big plant but in many distributed small-to-medium generating systems,
owned in many cases by the consumers themselves. Promoting wind and sun has a drawback
because these clean energies depend in a random way on climate conditions and on the day
and night cycle. We have to cope with this unusual supply of energy availability.
Unfortunately energy cannot be stocked in a large quantity and an electrical network is stable
only when production and usage are well balanced at any given point of time. So, the real
question is how to integrate these distributed, random sources (DG) in the users system
without degrading the quality of the service we are used to up to now.
An answer to all these questions can be found in a distribution energy system called Smart
micro Grid. This paper shows the basic concepts of this network and how the new
technologies of the power electronics, and ICT can optimize the integration of the DG in an
existing or new network. The concept developed is related to medium and small scale

distribution systems and has the benefit of integrating itself in larger networks without
requiring modifications of the main distribution backbones.
The development of the smart micro grids is based on some fundamentals ideas: providing
incentives to increase the use of green energies, pushing for energy saving policies, reducing
transmission losses, controlling the cost of the energy, arranging functional redundancy of the
smart micro grid from the main network (islanding).
2

The Smart micro Grid.

Distributed generation (DG) and energy efficiency are the basic concepts for conception of
the model of a smart micro grid. This grid is conceived for limited areas and/or limited
number of users and it must manage the local production of energy, the usage of energy and
the exchange with the main network in order to maximize energy efficiency and the usage of
renewable resources. The future development will incorporate new means for energy storage.
The smart micro grid is an electric system that works either in parallel with or disconnected
from the main grid. In the latter case it can work in the so-called island mode. The
changeover between the two operational modes is simply and immediate, thanks to its ability
to manage energy flows.
A simple schematic of the smart micro grid is shown in fig. 1, where the main components are
found: the local generating units, the loads with their controllers, the power interface to the
main grid and the power
managing system.
The usage of power
equipment that can
guarantee high standard
for the power quality,
high reliability and
efficiency is of primary
importance.
Power
quality means providing
low distortion of the grid
voltage and reduced
electromagnetic
emissions in order to
avoid extra losses in the
users equipment and
unwanted disturbances.
A reliable and safe duty
requires
power
Figure 1 Simplified schematic of a smart micro grid.
equipment capable of
managing every normal and transient situation without tripping or loosing their functionality.
3

The Distributed Generation.

Different equipment can be used for the so-called distributed electric generation. In order to
define a model for the smart micro grid a classification of these sources can be done
according to two distinct parameters: the kind of duty they can provide and the kind of
equipment used for delivering energy to the grid.
The first one makes a distinction between sources that can produce energy on demand and
continuously from the ones that can produce energy only in a random way, because of their

dependence from uncontrollable factors (like the climate). The most important renewable
sources can be included into this group of random generators because they take power from
wind and sun. Due to this dependency these sources by themselves cannot be considered as
the primary sources of a grid, even if of small dimensions. So, the smart micro grid must be
fed by other generators capable of providing a controllable and continuous duty or it must be
connected to the main grid, in order to compensate this random production of energy.
It is of primary importance the calculation of the amount of the energy production compared
to the total required power by the users connected to the grid. In case the power from wind
and sun is relevant, as we can expect from the promotion of renewable sources, it is
immediate to think that the smart micro grid must have an equivalent back-up production
system or can draw energy from the main grid when the sun and the wind systems are not able
to work at the required level of power.
This approach is simple but it is expensive because renewable energies require great
investments and at the same time the back-up capability costs are added too. This approach is
based on the assumption that the usage of the electric energy can be allowed without any
control. A less expensive solution, more aligned with the CO2 reduction strategy, is to provide
the smart micro grid with an intelligent system that can control not only the production of
energy but also its usage, in order to get a reasonable balance between production and
demand, minimizing, as a consequence, the usage of conventional sources of energy.
So, the design of a smart micro grid must take into consideration the balance between the
installed capacity from renewable energies over the total installed power and the types of
loads connected to the grid.
As a comment, it must be noted that there are renewable sources that have the capability of
providing energy on a continuous basis, like hydraulic, biomass, fuel-cells. However, due to
the great interest and expansion of DG from wind and sun, the economic terms said before do
not change.
Going back to the classification of the energy sources and considering the second parameter, a
distinction is made between static and rotating generators. The renewable sources require
extensive usage of static power equipment instead of the classic rotating machinery. Both of
them must work in parallel on the same grid.
The rotating machinery is well-known for some relevant factors: they produce sinusoidal
voltage, provide reactive and active power to the loads and in case of fault provide the
required short-circuit current for tripping the safety breakers.
At present, the most important norms of the utilities requires that DG can deliver energy to
the grid in a following mode instead of working as any other rotating generator of the
existing
power
stations [3]. It means
that they can deliver
active power only
when the grid is
already fed by the
generators of the
power stations and
are not intended to
contribute to the
Figure 2- Power converter for photovoltaic system.
frequency
stability.
Further more, they
cannot deliver reactive power because there are stringent limits concerning the power factor.

However, in a smart micro grid the power delivered by the DG using static power converters
is relevant compared to the total power installed. As a consequence, the functionality of these
static power converters should be changed as it is expected to change for the main grids too.
At present, the static power converters used for the renewable energies are designed assuming
that the grid is of infinite capacity. If so, the criteria of delivering sinusoidal voltage (low
distortion), of contributing to the voltage and frequency stability as well as the management of
the short-circuits can be neglected.
These specific topics have been studied and improved during the last years and new solutions
for a better integration of these static power generators are available. The most important
solution is based on the configuration of the static power converter called Active Front End.
4

Generating Energy by Active Front End power converters.

The Active Front End (AFE) solution can be seen in its basic hardware elements in fig. 2 and
3, where two main cases are illustrated. The first one (fig. 2) provides a link between a dc
source to an ac grid, as in case of photovoltaic systems. The AFE converter has a continuous
voltage at its dc input and produces an output voltage with an amplitude and frequency equal
to the voltage of the grid.
The second case (fig. 3) is related to the method used for connecting a variable speed rotating
generator to a grid. Its the case of some wind generators driven at variable speed or using
new technologies like the permanent magnet generators. In such cases a converter acting in
two steps is used. The frequency and amplitude of the variable voltage produced by the
rotating machine is converted in dc voltage, first. Then, from the dc voltage the power section
connected to grid produces a voltage equal to the one of the grid.
It is easy to note
that
both
solutions
share
the same AFE
power topology
for the conversion
dc/ac to the grid.
The
power
equipment
defined AFE can
Figure 3- AFE converter for wind generator
be equipped with
some special SW features that can make it works as any other rotating generator used for
powering the grid. Doing so, the AFE converter can be seen as a generalized solution for
delivering energy to the grid from any renewable source, taking into account the situations
where the grids has a limited short-circuit power (weak networks) and the contribution from
renewable sources is of great importance.
In the following section the features of the AFE solutions are explained.
Production of sinusoidal voltage and control of emc emissions.
The AFE is equipped with a special T low-pass power filter in order to suppress any
voltage harmonics having an order greater than the fundamental frequency. It is well-known
that any power converter (and among them the pwm inverters) produces a voltage with high
harmonic contents.
The T filter is inserted between the three phase output of the AFE converter and the grid.
High power converters (like the ones used for powers of hundred or thousands of kWs)
requires a special approach for the design of this filter, due to its physical size. An optimal

criterion of design dictates to maintain a ratio of at least 3 between the frequency of the pwm
carrier and the resonance frequency of the filter. In such a case the attenuation of the filter
allows the reduction of the amplitude of the voltage harmonics to a value less than 1,5%. Of
course, special
attention must
be taken for the
design of the
power section
because
the
higher the pwm
carrier
frequency the
smaller
the
filter and the
better
the
behaviour.
Assuming
typical values
for the carrier
frequencies in
the range 2 5
kHz a good
trade-off
between
the
Figure 4- Filtering action of the Clean Power Filter
size of the filter
and the need of avoiding a too lower resonance frequency is obtained. It must also be
remembered that a too low resonance frequency of the filter might hit other harmonic
frequencies already existing on the grid.
The fig. 4 shows how a clean power filter works on a 5 MW converter on an isolated grid.
The voltage produced is quasi sinusoidal, with a distortion factor of less than 1,5%.
Delivering power to the grid in parallel with other generators.
This issue is related to the weak grids, fed by generators of relative small power.
In such cases the AFE
converter might be required
to contribute to the control
of both its active and
reactive energy components.
Dedicated
regulation
algorithms are implemented
into the control system of
the AFE converter, and the
simplified schematic of such
solution is shown in fig. 5
and 6. The AFE converter is
able to detect by means of
Figure 5- Control system of the AFE converter
transducers the active and
reactive components of the power delivered to the grid. Two separate control loops are
provided for independent regulation of those two quantities.

The active power control is dependent by the capability of the upstream generator to produce
active power, having as a limit the capability of the grid of receiving it. The upstream
generator is controlled in a way that allows the maximum usage of the renewable source.
Then, the AFE converter
delivers the active power to
the grid using a control law
that links the grid frequency
and the active power with a
linear curve with a negative
coefficient, as shown in fig.
7. Doing so, the amount of
active power is delivered to
the grid according to the load
demand, while maintaining a
stable frequency and an
automatic
load
sharing
between the various sources.
The demand of reactive
power can also be satisfied
by the AFE converter. In
such a case, a control law for
the regulation loop of the
reactive power is set with a
Figure 6- Voltages and currents for the AFE converter
linear relationship of this
quantity vs. the grid voltage
with a negative slope as shown in fig. 8. This control law makes the AFE converter participate
to the stability of the grid voltage.
Management of the grid transients.
The AFE converter can also be equipped with special control functions in order to manage the
transients of the grid, mainly the short-circuit
conditions.
This is a vital function because it prevents the
AFE converter from tripping and contributes the
clearing of the fault occurred on the grid. When
such a fault occurs the AFE converter does not
trip and it changes its mode of operation. For a
limited span of time it works in a current mode,
controlling its output current supplied to the grid
in short-circuit, in order to let the protection
breakers to open. Fig. 9 shows the working curve
of the AFE converter under normal and transient
conditions.
The output current, delivered in short circuit by
the AFE converter, must be greater than its
nominal
one by a factor between 3 and 5. For
Figure 7- Frequency vs. active power control.
thermal reasons this mode of operation is limited
to the time strictly necessary for the protection breakers to clear the fault.
The fig. 10 shows how an AFE converter rated 5MW reacts on an isolated grid in case of a
sudden short circuit at its output. The line voltage goes to zero and the current regulator of the

AFE converter takes over, limiting its output current to a value of 3xIn, until the breaker
opens.
Thanks to the functionalities shown, the AFE
converter can be seen as a generalized solution for
connecting distributed generators to a grid
(especially to weak grids or micro grids) where the
rotating machine is not applicable and allowing an
operational mode emulating the rotating machine.
[1], [2], [4].
5

Power control of the loads.

The electric energy efficiency requires an

extensive usage of power converters in order to
control the power absorbed by the loads in an
optimal way. The power converters are widely
used in motor controls and in lighting controls. It
is well known how the usage of power converters
for feeding motors coupled with fans, pumps,
Figure 8- Voltage vs. reactive power control
compressors can reduce the amount of energy used
by the process, increasing the efficiency and saving energy. [5].
Much different equipment is known under the words drive, inverter or dc controller.
However, their usage when the grid is weak or has a limited installed power (like the micro
grids), implies some further considerations.
For instance, the most
common
and
less
expensive solution for
inverters
feeding
induction motors makes
use of an incoming
rectifies diode stage in
6-pulse configuration.
This solution implies
the emission of current
harmonics of order 5th,
6th, 11th, 13th, . .
These
current
harmonics
produce
distortion of the grid
Figure 9- Normal operation and short circuit area for the AFE converter
voltage and its amount
depends on the line impedance. The higher the total inverter power installed the larger the
voltage distortion.
A mitigation of the current harmonics emitted by these power converters is required. Two
main options are available: using an inverter with a front end diode bridge having a
configuration with higher pulse number (e.g., 12 or 18) or using again an AFE converter.
The first one is shown in fig. 11, where the solutions with 6, 12 and 18 pulse are found.

The latter one can be seen again in fig. 3, because the AFE converter is inherently a 4quadrant
power
converter, allowing a
power flow in both
directions. It can be used
either for connecting a
DG source to the grid or
for driving a motor at
variable speed.
Fig. 12 shows the
different
behaviour
offered by the solution
Figure 10- AFE current under short circuit condition.
described before. The
power quality given by
the AFE inverter is of
superior level. In any
Figure 10- AFE current under short circuit condition.
case, when designing a
smart micro grid accurate calculations must be made in order to select the most suitable
solutions for the control of the loads by inverters.
6

Figure 11- Inverter in 6-12-18 pulse

configuration.

Power interface to the main grid.

The most easy and common way for linking a smart

micro grid to the main network is by a substation
where dedicated switchgear is installed. However, an
alternative solution can be found by using a static
power converter which acts as a frequency changer.
Such a solution is viable when the smart micro grid
works at a different frequency than the main grid
(e.g., 50 Hz vs. 60 Hz) or when the frequency of the
smart micro grid is not synchronous with the
frequency of the main grid.
In such cases a frequency converter is used for
linking the two grids and the power converter
solution like the one shown in fig. 3, is the most
suitable. The same considerations given for the AFE
converter apply to this case. This solution has the
advantage of decoupling the two grids in terms of
frequency and reactive power. The frequency
converter can transmit the active power between the
two grids in both directions, while the reactive
power on each side can be separately managed by
the control system.

The Energy Management Program of the Smart micro Grid.

As anticipated in par. 2, the smart micro grid must be equipped with a power management
system and a supervision system, capable of implementing a well defined Energy
Management Program. [6], [7], [8].

Energy management embodies engineering, design, applications, utilization, and to some

extent the operation and maintenance of electric power system of the micro grid in order to
provide an optimal use of the electrical energy [Cit., 10].
An effective Energy Management Program can be organized on the following basis:
economics incentives such as savings, realized by reducing (saving) energy use
minimizing the probability of energy supply interruption
promoting the use of renewable energies
promoting the energy efficiency
An Energy Management Program is based on an Energy Audit.
8

Energy Audit.

The energy audit consists of a detailed examination of how the energy is currently used in an
existing area of users (or installations) or it will be used in a new application, of the cost of
the energy and of the changes in operating practices or in equipment in order to reduce (or
optimize) the energy consumption. The audit will be focused on:
the identification of energy loads and costs of energy usage.
the analysis of the energy usage inside that area/application.
the provision of an action plan to realize the better solution to maximize the energy
efficiency.
In order to understand the energy consumption, the usage of the energy can be classified into
some major groups:
Lightning
HVAC - Energy used directly for heating or cooling areas of the plant for comfort
conditioning.
Motors and drives - Energy used for Motors in ventilation systems, pumps, and other
industrial applications.
Processes - Energy used to heat the product being processed or to maintain the production
process.
Other energy consumption devices Energy used to supply other devices, not directly
involved in the production process, such as computers, alarms systems, welders, drying ovens
or any type of infrequently used machine.
For each of the defined
energy
application
types, the energy audit
will
report
the
associated costs and
the analysis of the
potential
savings
together
with
a
recommended Action
Plan.
The audit will also
identify the loads in
terms of their duty,
Figure 12- Typical voltage distortion caused by 6, 12, 18 and AFE
priority and emission of
harmonics in order to be able of determining a strategy for their control, according to the
energy production and availability inside the smart micro grid. The classification in terms of
duty will define the loads as Continuous, Intermittent and Stand-by. The classification in
terms of priority will identify the loads as Critical, Necessary, Deferrable, Unnecessary. The

classification in terms of harmonic emission will state the fundamental rules for managing the
quality of the energy delivered, avoiding excessive noise on the grid.

Power Management System (PMS).

The Power Management System is based on a flexible and high performance hardware and
software platform that provides the monitoring functions and the tools for managing and
optimizing either the energy production or the consumption.
The aim of the system is to carry out the better performance of the controlled equipment,
optimizing both the energy produced by generators (internal) or coming from utility
companies (external) and the energy used by loads.
Information coming from equipment and field sensors allows quantifying present and short
term energy production capacity of energy source and, on the other side, to quantify present
and short term energy consumption from the various load typologies.
The definition of a production strategy will result, able to detail the drawing or the handover
of energy from/to the external grid or the necessity to decrease the power consumption from
some non vital loads. A main objective remains the maximization of the contribution of
renewable energy production, to avoid energy peak requested to the external utility.
The most relevant features of this monitoring and control system are given here below.
Control and management of the electric power flows.
The control system must regulate the energy production, the exchange of energy with the
main grid and the usage of the energy by the loads in order to get the best performance for the
smart micro grid in terms of efficiency, energy saving and usage of the renewable sources. In
order to perform such tasks, many data must be collected by the equipment installed and by
the field sensors. Using these data the production of energy can be planned on short and
medium time as well as the usage of the energy by the loads.
As a consequence, the production strategy can be defined in terms of internal production (with
special care to the renewable sources) and exchange with the main grid, as well as the
consumption strategy taking into account the need of limiting the power peaks by the loads.
Power metering
In order to provide a strategy for the management of the power flows it is essential the
measurements and analysis of the current active and reactive power required by the smart
micro grid as a whole and by its equipment as well as of other data coming from the field
sensors.
All these data are then compared to the desired levels, in order to avoid excessive peak
demands of energy, to maintain the best efficiency and to get the maximum usage of the
renewable sources.
The power metering is also used for determining the rule for the tariffs applicable during the
various hours of the day to the loads, informing at the same time the customers. The metering
of the quality of power in order avoid situation where the distortion factor can reach excessive
levels.
The power metering also includes the continuous monitoring of any disturbances that may
affect the power quality (measured in terms of THD) delivered by the smart micro grid. These
disturbances may come either from the equipment inside the grid or from the main external
grid. The analysis of these disturbances will require the activation of the actions defined by
the energy audit in order to recover the guaranteed quality of the electric energy.

10

 Supervision of the whole smart micro grid.

A real-time monitoring system is required by the smart micro grid in order to provide the
operators with the necessary information about the status of the smart micro grid and of its
equipment, the need of immediate actions for the resolution of any problem that may occur
and the actuation of the maintenance plan. The central supervision system must be able of
assuring an adequate throughput towards the connected peripheral systems, from where the
field data and the equipment data are taken and to where the necessary commands and
regulation levels are sent.
In details, the relevant functions performed by the supervision system:
Access to real-time and historical power data. PMS offer both offline data access and
online (real-time) data access. The first is used to get immediate decisions on the
currently processed production, the latter is used to plan an efficient long time forecast
strategy all over the plant
Graphical plant synoptic. A PMS synoptic display view allows the operators to get the
currently evolving data along the whole controlled area. The operators can have both
an overview as well a detailed view of the single controlled equipments from the same
working station. Different type of data are grouped and displayed coherently where
needed.
Centralized visualization of all the electric distribution system. A unique access point
providing all the needed tools to interact an analyze the electric distribution system is
another key feature of a PMS, a must if the primary need is to take a global plantscoped decisions about power management. This will be performed by the usual HMI
working station.
Monitoring of electrical parameters.
Faults and alarms intervention display. Acquired data must also be used to monitor
critical (physical, electrical, etc.) values. From a PMS perspective data must reflect the
correct application of the planned energy strategy. Malfunctioning equipment or
unpredictable event can occur making the real PMS variable evolution to differ from
the forecasted PMS variable evolution.
Remote access through browser. By providing a browser access to the PMS system,
the operators can remotely monitor the system. A remote access is very useful from a
high-level user perspective, to deal with the reporting statistics and to get a closer look
at the plant evolution.
The typical monitoring pages that appear to the operators are shown in fig. 20. As an
example a substation is shown in order to prove how easy and detailed the information
can be displayed.
Historical data collection.
Historical data collection provides the systematic collection of data related to past events and
the storage in a dedicated data-base. The following features are performed.
Database historical collection. The data are efficiently collected and then stored in a
safe and reliable database. The storing of many different parameter values sampled
along the time requires an efficient and fast process for the data retrieval, and a
flexible process for the data query part (retrieval of data from the user perspective and
post-process analysis).
Graphical presentation. Collected data must also be displayed in a user friendly
representation in order to be interpreted and used by the operators. Different graphical
representations can be used to better understand the data:
o geometrical layouts help to visualize the physical positions of the data
o electrical layouts help on keep the focus over the single loads

11

o diagram block layouts helps to better understand the flow of the information
Real-time and historical trending display. A single Process Data continuously acquired
makes understand its evolution along the time. A graphical display of such values will
help to determine strategic choices from a grid efficiency perspective.
Preconfigured and customized reports, including :
o summaries of the collected data in order to build simple KPI (Key
Performance Indicators) of the smart micro grid
o focus over time-bound trend of subsets of Process Data
o immediate overview of the main consumption-intensive areas by comparing
them at various levels
o maintenance plans
o energy production schedule and demand

Management of the external fault conditions.

A relevant function for the smart micro grid is its ability of working without being connected
to any other external grid. This functionality assures a redundancy in case a fault occurs on
the main network. In such a case, the power management system must detect the external fault
and must actuate the so-called islanding mode. As a consequence a strategy for balancing
the internal production capability with the energy consumption by the loads will be put in
place in order to maintain the grid in a stable state and providing energy according to the
priority of the loads.
10 Structure of the power management system.
Although the smart micro grid is a limited electrical system the amount of data to be treated
and the number of control function required for running the entire system are huge. Much
equipment
is
installed and all of
them
must
be
regulated
and
monitored.
This
complex situation
suggest to use an
architecture for the
PMS that is based
on a main central
control
and
monitoring system,
connected to some
distributed (local)
control systems.
In order to get a
structured hierarchy
Figure 13- Global control and monitoring system for the smart micro grid.
of the entire PMS it
is necessary organizing the local subsystems according to their functionalities. These can be
identified as distributed generators, loads and interface to the external grid.
The DGs can be considered as single units or grouped in array, according to their size and
place of installation, while the loads can be grouped according to their functionality or
installation order.

12

Each power subsystem (either DG or load) will be equipped with its own control and
monitoring system, able of being connected to the main central control system of the smart
micro grid with a fast, reliable and redundant data network. These local control systems will
be connected to the single equipment and field sensors, in order to provide a reliable and fast
data collection. The fig. 13 shows the entire control system of the smart micro grid.
11 The local control systems.
The local control system must actuate the control actions and the data collection required by
the central PMS for each single equipment.

Figure 14- Local control and monitoring system for DG.

Distributed
Generators.
When dealing with
the DG, the local
control
system
must perform the
functionalities
recalled in par. 3
and 4 in order to
be able to stay in
parallel on the grid
and sharing the
load with the other
generators.
In
addition to these
functionalities, the

renewable sources
require
other
specific functions,
mainly the search
of the maximum
power point and
the collection of
data from the field
sensors for the
estimate of the
future production
capability.
The
latter is a vital
feature for the
smart micro grid
because the DG
Figure 15- Local control and monitoring systems for loads
that take energy
form wind and sun produces power in a random way. Using special algorithms it is possible
to elaborate the data from the field sensors and from historical data in order to provide the
short and medium term evolution of the energy production for each single DG. Doing so, the
renewable sources can be exploited at their maximum extent and the central PMS of the grid
has enough information for planning either the exchange of energy with other grids or the
activation of other conventional generators, installed inside the smart micro grid. The fig. 14

13

shows a typical control system for wind and photovoltaic DG, in order to perform the
functions stated above.
Loads
When dealing with the loads, the local control and monitoring system is required to manage
the energy demand according to the energy strategy planned during the energy audit. In fig.
15 a typical schematic for such load control and monitoring is shown. The load control can be
performed on the basis of the availability of the energy given by the central PMS and by the
type of duty that the loads are required to perform, in order to avoid peaks of energy demand
that might overcome the production capability or that might require an excessive cost of the
energy.
The local control system for these loads must also collect data of the historical consumption
of energy in order to provide future trends for short and medium terms. These data are sent to
the central PMS of the smart micro grid for a global strategy of the demand of energy.
Another important function performed by the local control system consists of providing the
users with information about its consumption, the availability of energy, the price of the
energy and the parameters of the energy efficiency.
12 Application cases.
Smart micro Grid for power generation and distribution for on board application.
The electric power generation for marine on board applications is normally made by dieselgenerators
equipment.
In
order to improve
the efficiency of
the
energy
production,
the
so-called shaftalternators
are
sometimes used
in addition to
Figure 16- Shaft generator system for on-board energy production using AFE
these
diesel
converter.
generators.
A shaft-alternator is a
synchronous machine
mounted on the main
propulsion shaft and
takes its power from
the main propulsion
engine. When the ship
is in navigation it is
more efficient to use
the shaft alternator to
its maximum extent
for producing the
electric energy instead
of maintaining all the
diesel generators on
duty. The efficiency
Figure 17- Smart micro grid for on board power generation and distribution.

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of the propulsion engine is higher than the efficiency of the single diesel groups.
However, the shaft-generator is driven at variable speed by the main propulsion shaft and its
ac terminals can provide variable voltage and frequency only.
So, the connection of this generator to the grid is possible only if a static frequency changer is
used. The most suitable solution in such a case is represented by the AFE converter, as shown
in fig. 16.
This power conversion system works as explained in chapter 4. In particular, it is essential
that the AFE converter must be able to work either in parallel with the other diesel generators
or as a single power source and it must also guarantee all the relevant functions of providing:
low distortion harmonic voltage
short circuit capacity in order to allow the protection systems to clear any fault
capacity of separate control of active and reactive power.
The complex architecture of the on-board power
generation and distribution grid is done by a power
management system. The main task of this system is
to perform the optimum usage of the power
resources in order to get the best efficiency and load
sharing between the various generators. It makes the
choice of how many groups must be on duty in
order to provide energy according to the on-board
demand. The power management system must also
have a monitoring capability in order to allow a
complete diagnostic for the operators. Any normal
and transient condition must be detected in real time
in order to provide a safe and reliable operation. The
complete power generation and distribution system
is shown in fig. 17 where a solution for a LV grid
working at 0,44 kV 60 Hz and fed by 4 diesel
groups rated each one 1,2 MW and by one shaftalternator of 1,4 MW is shown.
This on-board power generation and distribution
system is an example of a smart micro grid capable
of working in island mode for most of the time. This
smart micro grid can also be fed by a power source
when the ship is docked in port.
In order to provide a reliable a safe solution in every
Figure 18- THD measured on board
configuration, the AFE converter has been designed
with a short-circuit capability of 3 x In for 5 seconds. This value has been stated taking into
account the required current for letting the circuit breakers to open in case of fault. The design
of the AFE converter also takes into account the need of limiting the distortion factor of the
grid voltage. The power filter has been chosen in order to limit the THD to a value less than
2,5%. During the commissioning several measurements have been done for assessing the
THD value and the results are shown in fig. 18.
Power generation and distribution for remote areas.
The smart micro grid design fits the needs of developing the electric energy production in
remote areas where the transmission lines do not come.

15

In areas where the solar irradiation is good and the territory offers wide installation zones, the
photovoltaic panels can contribute to the energy production in order to optimize the usage of
fuel and limiting the CO2 emissions.
A study for a remote area where a pumping station is needed has been developed according to
the schematic shown in fig. 19. This solution is strictly designed according to the experience
done for the on board marine application, mentioned above. Here again, the AFE converter
plays an important role because it can be used as the main power source when the sunlight
gives its maximum irradiation. So, the AFE converter must perform all the functions already
cited in par. 4.
The AFE converter can also be
put in parallel with the other
diesel generators according to
the demand of power when the
photovoltaic system is no longer
able to deliver its full power.
This happens every day, when
the sun goes down and a
changeover
between
the
production modes is required in
order to maintain the grid fed
during the night.
The system has been conceived
for a pumping station equipped
with pumps rated 500 kW. So,
the power source has installed
four diesel groups rated each one
2 MVA, letting at least one of
them as a back-up in case of
emergency. The photovoltaic
field is rated 2 MW and it can
provide the full power for the
entire pumping station when the
irradiation is at its maximum.
Due to the relative long distance
(approx. 10 km) between the
area where the pumps are
installed and the area where the
photovoltaic panels are placed, a
transmission line at high voltage
Figure 19- Micro grid for remote area.
(11 kV) has been used for the
energy transmission, in order to
reduce the losses. The control of the generation system and of the loads is done by a power
management system according to the schematic of fig. 11.
A centralized control and monitoring system performs the entire grid management. Local
subsystems are dedicated to the control of the generators side and the load side.
13 Conclusion.
This paper introduced some techniques for an efficient management of the energy either in
terms of production by DG or consumption. All these techniques have been tested and proved

16

in many industrial applications and now they can contribute to the complex application of a
smart micro grid, where production and usage of energy is controlled by an intelligent control
and supervision system, coordinating the both.
The micro grid becomes smart and is able to overcome the issues given by the introduction
of the DG with random production capability, such as wind and sun. The smart micro grid is
able to attenuate the
fluctuation of the
random production of
energy, because it can
control the loads as
well as the other
source of energy at the
same time.
The smart micro grid
is also able either to
get an efficient usage
of the energy or to
perform the energy
saving thanks to the
most
advanced
techniques
of
the
control of the loads.
The smart micro grid
model
is
flexible
because it can be
integrated into more
Figure 20- Typical monitoring page of the micro grid. The example shows the complex grids without
substation.
any
special
requirements. This model can be also used for the electrification of remote lands where the
electricity is not available due to the distance from the main distribution network. The smart
micro grid can avoid the installation of new transmission lines, because it can rely on its own
resources.

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