Proceedings of 2015 IEEE

International Conference on Mechatronics and Automation

August 2 - 5, Beijing, China

An Overview on Microgrid Technology

Xuesong Zhou, Tie Guo and Youjie Ma
Key Research Laboratory for Control Theory & Applications in Complicated Systems
Tianjin University of Technology
391, Binshui Xidao, Xiqing District, Tianjin, 300384, China
guotie123456@163.com

energy, and convert these clean energy into electrical energy,

which can not only increase the diversity of energy use, but is
also an inevitable choice to solve the problems of increasing
depletion of fossil energy, serious environmental pollution and
other issues. The main features of traditional power system is
that the whole grid are linked together into a large grid, the
most significant advantages of centralized power grid is the
ability to fully enhance the efficiency of energy use, while
there are some drawbacks in centralized power grid: high
costs, operational difficulties, it is difficult to meet users
increasing requirements for safety and reliability [1].
Especially in recent years, after several series of large area
blackout accident, the vulnerability of power grid has fully
been exposed. Therefore, people began to look for other ways
for the development model of the power system. After the
blackout in North America in 2003, the experts have come to
the conclusion-it is much easier and faster to develop
distributed power than reform the power grid to enhance
security.
Distributed generation is a technology that use a variety of
dispersed energy to generate power, including renewable
energy and local fossil fuels which can be easily got [2].
Distributed generation has the advantages of less pollution,
higher energy efficiency, flexible installation location, and
compared with centralized power generation, it can save
transmission and distribution resources and operating costs,
and reduce line losses of concentrated transmission.
Distributed generation can reduce the total capacity of power
grid, improve peak and valley performance and the reliability
of power supply. It is a strong complement and effective
support of power grid [3]. In the past 30 years, most countries
have put on the agenda of distributed generation, people began
to
carefully study the
potential
benefits of distributed
generation system. Undoubtedly, distributed generation is one
of the development trend of power system.
With the penetration of distributed generation increasing,
its inherent problems are apparent. It has high costs of single
access and control difficulties. On the one hand, distributed
generator is an uncontrollable source, so large system tends to
take ways of restriction, isolation to deal with it, in order to
reduce the impact on the power grid. On the other hand, the
distribution system has some characteristics, which make
distributed generation have to connect and operate in the form
of load, this results in the structure of the distributed
generation would be extremely limited [4].

Abstract - Microgrid technology can effectively integrate the

advantages of distributed generation, and also provide a new
technical way for large scale application of grid-connected
generation of new energy and renewable energy. Microgrid can
not only enhance the efficiency of energy cascade utilization, but
also be used as an effective complementary of power grid and
improve the reliability of power supply and power quality. It is
one of the latest cutting-edge research topics in the field of
electrical engineering at home and abroad. This paper firstly
elaborates the background and the basic concept of microgrid,
then describes the current domestic and international situation
of microgrid research, finally the key problems and development
prospects of microgrid technology are discussed.
Index Terms - distributed generation, microgrid, reliability, stability

I. INTRODUCTION
As the energy crisis and environmental issues have
become increasingly prominent, it has become the general
consensus of human society to develop low carbon economy
and construct ecological civilization to achieve sustainable
development. The development of clean and renewable energy
has become an important strategy of economic and social
sustainable development for all the countries in the world. In
order to coordinate the contradiction between grid and
distributed generation, and maximize the advantages of
distributed generation in economy, energy and environment,
the scholars put forward the concept of microgrid.
Microgrid combines distributed power, load, energy
storage devices and control devices, forming a single and
controllable power supply system. It can reduce the feeder
loss, and increase the reliability of local power supply and
improve energy efficiency. The United States, Europe, Japan
and many other countries combined with their reality and put
forward the concept of microgrid and actively carried out
relevant research. So far, microgrid has achieved fruitful
results in theory and application, and gradually develops in the
intelligent direction. It has become an integral part of smart
distribution grid and an important part of smart grid
construction.
II. THE PROPASAL OF MICROGRID
In recent years, environmental pollution, air quality and
other issues have become increasingly prominent, which have
a great relationship with the extensive use of fossil fuels. Coal,
oil are non-renewable resources and will be used up by
mankind one day. So, to develop and use renewable new clean

978-1-4799-7098-8/15/$31.00 2015 IEEE

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With the application of new technologies, especially the

development of power electronic interface and modern control
theory, the concept of microgrid emerged. Microgrid is
smaller, independent and decentralized system, which uses a
lot of modern power technology, and puts gas turbines, wind
power, solar power, fuel cells, energy storage devices together,
and is directly connected to user side. For large power grids,
microgrid can be regarded as a controllable power unit, it can
act within a few seconds in order to meet the needs of the
external transmission and distribution grid [5]. For users,
microgrid can meet their specific needs, such as increasing
local reliability, reducing feeder loss and maintaining stability
of local voltage, etc. Microgrid and large grid exchange
energy by PCC (Point of Common Coupling), the two parts
are backup of each other, thus improving reliability of power
supply.
Figure 1 shows the photovoltaic generation, wind, fuel
cells, microturbines and other forms of micro power. Some of
them are connected to the nearby thermal load and can provide
heat for local users, thus improving the utilization of energy.

3) Controllability: According to operating conditions,

microgrid can choose different operation modes, perfect
control strategy makes the reliability improved and the
security guaranteed.
4) Interactivity: As an independent generation equipment
microgrid can provide strong support for the main grid when
necessary, while the main grid can also provide power for
microgrid.
5) Independence: Microgrid can operate independently
under certain conditions and guarantee the local demand for
electricity to some extent.
III. THE MEAINING OF MICROGRID
According to the current situation of the development of
power system and the technical characteristics of the
microgrid, it is very urgent and significant to develop
microgrid technology rapidly.
1) The flexibility and dispersion characteristics of the
microgrid make it possible to guarantee the power supply of
important load in case of large area blackout caused by
accident. This reduces the losses caused by natural disasters
and makes up for the weakness of large grids in terms of
safety and stability.
2) Microgrid can maximize the absorption of scattered
micro sources, and improve its utilization rate and promote the
development of the whole industry. Distributed energy
is set according to need and cooperates with users as much as
possible, and provides flexible, energy saving and
comprehensive energy for end users. There is no transmission
and distribution losses and corresponding investment of
transmission and distribution system caused by long distance
transmission of energy, so microgrid is economical.
3) Microgrid can provide excellent power quality, and
improve the reliability of power supply to meet users various
demand for electricity. The interface between distributed
power and power grid usually uses power electronic devices
which can flexibly control active power, reactive power output
and voltage output of generation, this mproves the reliability
of power grid.
4) Microgrid can use distributed energy and solve the
difficult problem of power supply in remote areas where it is
unsuitable to build power grid, thus contributing to economic
development of these areas.
IV. MICROGRID RESEARCH STATUSES

Fig.1 Basic structure of microgrid

As a useful complement to the single power grid,

microgrid has great potential for wide application. At present,
some of the major countries of the world, such as the US, EU,
Japan and China, have carried out research on microgrid.

Microgrid has some characteristics as follows:

1) Uniqueness: Microgrid is a small system consists of
microsource and load, the main difference with large grid is its
flexible schedulability.
2) Diversity: The composition of microgrid is diverse,
there are both traditional power and renewable energy. At the
same time, microgrid includes energy storage devices, this is a
necessary condition for the stable operation of the system. And
there are many types of loads, such as sensitive, non-sensitive,
controlled, non-controlled type, etc.

A. Microgrid Research of the US

The CERTS of the US is the most famous institutions of
microgrid research, it first proposed the concept of microgrid
in the white paper called microgrid concept written for the
DOE and the California Energy Commission [6]. Figure 2
shows it mainly consists of loads and small micro sources
based on power electronic technology and the capacity of

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which is less than 500 kW, and introduces the control

method based on power electronic technology. This concept
has been successfully tested in the laboratory of Wisconsin
University.
The Mad River microgrid undertaken by the northern
part of the US power system is America's first microgrid
demonstration project. It examined the method of modeling
and simulation, protection and control strategies and economic
benefits of microgrid, and explored the formulation of
regulations and legislation on microgrid and became a
successful example of microgrid projects in the United States.
At the same time, the DOE has proposed a phased plan that is
to place and use micro distributed generation systems in the
form of microgrid in the development strategy of Grid2030,
the future development plans of microgrid are described in
detail.

research team which is led by Athens National University of

Science and Technology, including 14 organizations from
seven EU member states. Then funded by the EUs Sixth
Framework Programme (2002 - 2006), the research team was
further expanded, including Simens, ABB, and other
manufacturers and some power enterprises and research teams
of EU member states, the object of study developed to parallel
operation of a plurality of microgrids, the goal is to achieve
technology and business access of a plurality of microgrids in
the power market environment.
In addition, the Danish OESTKRAFT company, the
Italian CESI company, the Portuguese EDP company and the
Spanish LABEIN company have established pilot projects of
microgrid in their respective countries and research on
microgrid.
C. Microgrid Research of Japan
Based on the reality background of increasing domestic
energy shortage and load, Japan carried out the research
of microgrid, but its development goals mainly located in the
diversification of energy supply, reducing pollution and
meeting users individual power needs. Japan classifies
independent power system supplied by traditional power as the
category of microgrid research, greatly expanding the
definition of microgrid of the US CERTS. Based on this
framework, Japan has established a number of microgrid
projects at home [9].
Over the years, the utilization of new energy has been
the focus of development in Japan, Japan has also set up the
NEDO to coordinate domestic universities, enterprises and the
State Key Laboratory to research New energy and its
applications. The NEDO started the distribution grid projects
with renewable energy in 2003, and established three
microgrid demonstration projects in Aomori, Aichi and Kyoto
Prefecture. In Sendai, the NEDO also established a
demonstration project of reliability services of power quality,
and it was completed in 2006 [10]. Figure 3 shows the Sendai
microgrid.

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of CERTS microgrid

B. Microgrid Research of EU
Taking into account the own needs of electricity market,
the security of power supply, and environmental protection,
Europe proposed a "Smart Grid" target in 2005, and
introduced the technical implementation of the program in
2006 [7]. As the 2020 and subsequent power development
goal of Europe, the program points out that the future power
grid should have the characteristics of flexible, accessible,
reliable and economic, etc. Currently, EU mainly finances
and promotes two microgrid projects: Microgrids and More
Microgrids, aiming to increase the penetration of micro
generation devices by expanding and developing the concept
of microgrid. Some basic theories of operation, control,
protection, security, and communication have been initially
formed, experimental platforms of different scale have been
established in Greece, Germany, and Spain [8].
The EUs Fifth Framework Programme (1998-2002)
funded the pioneering research of microgrid, forming a large

Fig.3 The Sendai microgrid

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D. Microgrid Research of China

The research on microgrid in China is still in its infancy,
microgrid technology was included in 863 plan in the field of
advanced energy technology thematic topics in 2007 of the
Ministry of science and technology [11]. Currently, Tsinghua
University, Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of
Electrical Engineering, Tianjin University, Hefei University of
Technology, and other institutions have begun to research on
microgrid.
In 2006, Tsinghua University began to explore and
research the field of microgrid, it used the hardware of State
Key Lab of Tsinghua University Department of electrical
power, and built a experimental platform of microgrid with
renewable energy generation, energy storage devices and load.
Tianjin University undertook the National Key Basic Research
and Development Program ("973" Program)-basic research
related to distributed generation function system, Huazhong
University of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiao Tong
University and other units are involved in the research.
The 2007 International Science and Technology
Cooperation Program of Anhui province, The research on
integration and control technology of power supply system
with distributed pluripotent complementary energy microgrid
is researched by HeFei University of Technology and Canada
New Brunswick University together. The photovoltaic
engineering research center of HeFei University of
Technology as the Chinese executive unit established an
exemplary independent microgrid system on campus. It built a
small power grid by using solar and wind power to generate
electricity, and can keep a building lighting during power
outage.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences built a 200kVA
microgrid test system, and did the steady-state and dynamicstate analysis of system. They proposed steady-state and
dynamic-state calculation method, and control and
management strategies of autonomous control and operation
of microgrid. They made a lot of researches and experiments
on the control method of distributed generation and seamless
switching of microgrid.
At present, China has made some progress in the research
on Microgrid. But compared with the large research teams
composed of research institutions, manufacturers and power
company from Europe, the US and Japan, there is still a big
gap between China and them in the strength of research and
the results achieved. It is necessary to further carry out the key
technologies of microgrid and promote the application of
microgrid in China.

operation by protection action and islanding control, and

supply power for important load. After the elimination of grid
failure, microgrid can be connected with distribution grid by
grid-connected control and switch to grid-connected mode of
operation again. The development of microgrid faces
challenges in many aspects.

Fig.4 Operation mode switch of microgrid

A. The Interactive Mechanism of Microgrid and Power System

with High Permeability.
When a large number of distributed energy supply system
access to distribution grid system in the form of microgrid,
the interaction between microgrid and distribution grid system
will be very complicated. Microgrid will have an important
impact on the operation characteristics of distribution grid
system, and the analysis of the impact should be based on a
new method [12].
B. The Distributed Energy Storage Mechanism for Safe and
Stable Operation of The Microgrid.
In microgrid some distributed power, such as photovoltaic
cells and wind power, belongs to intermittent power. Power
energy generated by them has obvious characteristics of
randomness and uncertainty, there is also a certain randomness
in the changes of various types of load in microgrid. When the
microgrid operates independently, distributed energy storage
supports independent and stable operation of the microgrid
and becomes an important part of it. It serves to stabilize the
system disturbance and maintain the dynamic balance of
generation and load, and keep the stability of voltage and
frequency [13]. Taking into account the diversity of
distributed energy storage system, there is a big difference in
the response characteristics of microgrid disturbance in
various energy storage systems, the action mechanism of the
security and stability of the microgrid will be very different. It
is necessary to fully understand the impact of distributed
storage system on the operation characteristics of microgrid.

V. THE KEY TECHNOLOGIES AND PROBLEMS OF MICROGRID

Microgrid integrates the input of a variety of energy, the
output of a variety of products and a variety of energy
conversion units, and is a complex system with mutual
coupling of chemistry, thermodynamics, electrodynamics and
other acts. Figure 4 shows microgrid has many operation
modes, during the grid-connected mode, the power can flow in
both directions. When power grid fails, microgrid can be
separated from power grid and change to the islanded mode of

C. The Planning Theory and Methods of Microgrid.

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The purpose of construction microgrid is to achieve the

effective management of distributed power, as far as possible
to use clean and renewable energy to meet the users
demand for energy. Compared with the conventional way of
power supply, the economy of the microgrid is particularly
important for users. Considering the photovoltaic and other
renewable energy generation is more economic than
conventional power, if you want to ensure that the microgrid
gives full play to its advantages in energy supply, and is
simultaneously competitive in economy, microgrid must be
scientifically planned to create conditions for the construction
of microgrid and the economy of operation in terms of the
power structure, power capacity, network structure, etc. This is
the key to the sustainable development of microgrid.

related devices may have different levels of harmonics

according to different power electronics technologies adopted.
With the microgrid permeability increasing, the harmonic
level of distribution system will also rise. In short, there are a
lot of unique problems related to power quality in microgrid
and distribution system with microgrid.
G. The Comprehensive Simulation and Analysis of Microgrid.
In microgrid, there are both synchronous generators and
other rotating equipments with a large time constant and fast
response power electronic devices. In the event of system
disturbances, there are electromagnetic transient process that
changes fast in microseconds, electromechanical transient
process that changes in milliseconds and slow dynamic
process that changes in seconds [17]. It will be very difficult to
consider the interaction between them and realize the
digital simulation of the dynamic process. At present, the
digital and analog hybrid simulation technology is a hot field
of conventional power system research. Although there are
some simulation methods can be used for reference, related
theories and methods of hybrid simulation must be targeted to
be developed, because the physical facilities of microgrid are
diverse, the models are complex and the transient response
time scales of different devices are dispersed.

D. The Protection of Microgrid and Distribution System with

Microgrid.
The access of microgrid with multiple distributed power
and energy storage devices greatly changes the fault
characteristics of the distribution system, and makes changes
of electrical variables more complex after fault. The traditional
fault detection method will be severely affected, and make it
impossible to fail to accurately determine the location of the
fault [14]. Because microgrid can not only operate during gridconnected mode but also during islanded mode, the operating
mode often needs to be switched, this requires to make the
necessary adjustments to the traditional method of protection
and control in order to meet the requirements of system. These
changes brought by microgrid access to distribution system
make the work principle of protection and action logic
complex, the traditional method of relay protection may not be
able to meet the requirements, new protection technology
needs to be explored.

H. The Economic Operation and Energy Optimal Management

of Microgrid.
Compared with conventional power system, the
manipulated variables of microgrid are more abundant, such as
the active power output of distributed power, the interface bus
voltage of voltage source inverters and the interface current of
current source inventers, etc. In the conditions of the system
operating constraint, microgrid can achieve optimal operation
and reasonable distribution of energy by controlling and
regulating these variables, and maximize the use of renewable
energy, and ensure the economic operation of the entire
microgrid. Meanwhile, during the grid-connected operation,
especially in the case of high permeability, the losses of
distribution transformer and feeder in distribution system can
be reduced by effectively controlling the output of microgrid
[18]. Because the operating strategy of energy storage system
directly affects its service life, thereby affecting the economy
of the whole life cycle of microgrid, these factors should also
be considered scientifically in the formulation process of
energy optimization strategy.

E. The Grid-Connected Control and Multi Distributed

Power Coordinated Control of Microgrid.
With respect to the connected distribution system, the
microgrid can be seen as a virtual generator with unique
operating characteristics, and supply power to distribution
system during the grid-connected mode. Similar to the gridconnected operation of conventional generator, the gridconnected operation of microgrid needs to meet certain
conditions of voltage and frequency. But different from
conventional generators, due to the types and characteristics of
distributed power in microgrid is different, microgrid needs
some special control modes to make it possible to meet the
conditions of grid-connected operation [15].

VI. THE DEVELOPMENT TREND OF MICROGRID

F. The Analysis and Control of Power Quality of Microgrid

and Distribution System with Microgrid.
In microgrid, there may be some intermittent power
supplies, the frequent changes of start and stop operation
and power output, are likely to bring problems of power
quality to the users access to the system [16]. In addition, due
to many types of power supplies in the microgrid need to
output power with the help of power electronic devices to
meet the requirements of frequency and voltage of load,

In recent years, microgrid technology, as a more cuttingedge research field, is vigorously developed by American and
European countries with its characteristics of high reliability,
environmental protection, and flexibility. China's 863, 973
and other national key research development plans also started
to set up projects in order to encourage and support the
research on microgrid technology in various universities and
research institutes. In the next few years, the theoried and
related technologies of microgrid will be verified through

80

[17]Chengshan Wang, Zhangang Yang, Shouxiang Wang, Yanbo Che. The

analysis of structure features of experimental system and control mode of
microgrid, Automation of Electric Power Systems,2010,01, pp. 99-105.
[18]Shengxia Cai, Shouxiang Wang, Chengshan Wang, Genliang Jia.
Thoughts on Economic Perspective of smart grid, Automation of
Electric Power Systems,2009,20, pp. 13-16+87.
[19] Xiaoxin Zhou, Zongxiang Lu, Yingmei Liu, Shuyong Chen.
Development Models and Key Technologies of Future Grid in China,
Proceedings of the CSEE, 2014,29: pp. 4999-5008.

demonstration projects, and thus are widely and practically

used.
With the development of smart grid, its compatibility with
various new energy will inevitably prompt microgrid toward
the direction of intelligence. It is foreseeable that the future
power system will be a functional system with the organic
combination of centralized and distributed power generation
systems [19]. This hybrid system can save investment and
reduce the risk of investment and energy consumption,
and improve energy efficiency and the reliability, flexibility
and power quality of power system, it will become an
important direction of development of the electric power
industry in the 21st century.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their
very helpful comments and suggestions which have improved
the presentation of the paper. The work of Tie Guo was
supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of
China (50877053) and Tianjin Natural Science Foundation of
China (09JCYBJC07100).
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