MIT PORTUGAL

Workshop on Sustainable Energy Systems

November 2006

Microgrids Operation

J. A. Peas Lopes
jpl@fe.up.pt

Introduction
Characterization of the Situation
Increased electricity demand
Concerns regarding security of supply
Environmental concerns (climate change, nature preservation, pollution)
Increase sustainability
Pressure to reduce cost of electricity
Difficulty in building new large generation and transmission / infrastructures (visual
impacts and land use)

Diversification of energy sources to produce electricity

Increase exploitation of renewable power sources
Increase efficiency in electricity use

New concepts

Expected contribution of renewable energies for electricity generation

Some scenarios: Prospects for renewable electricity generation in
Europe

A Vision of the future

Source: Smart Grids Vision and Strategy for Europes Electricity Networks of the Future

The concept of Distributed Generation

Distributed Generation as key

issue to increase renewable

generation

New Paradigmas
Dispersed Generation introduced a new paradigma:
Initially taking place at MV level

A more ambitious change

Microgeneration directly connected to the LV network is becoming a

reality:
Next 10 to 20 years:
Connection of small modular generation sources;
Typically in the range from 5 to 100 kW;
Fuel cells, renewable generation (wind turbines and PV systems), micro turbines (natural
gas or bio fuels);

LV networks are also becoming active;

The MicroGrid Concept

A Low Voltage distribution system with small modular generation units

providing power and heat to local loads

A local communication infrastructure

A hierarchical management and control system

PV

Microturbine
MC

DC
AC

DC
LC

MC
LV

MC
LC

MV

LC
MC

MC
MC

AC

Storage

DC

PV
DC
AC

Interconnected Mode
Emergency Mode

Wind Generator

LC
MGCC

Operation Modes:

AC

Fuel Cell
AC
DC

MC
AC
DC

LC

Microturbine

Microgeneration - Microturbines
Microturbine of 80 kW
In general the microturbine is
connected to the grid through an
electronic converter.

1,5 kHz to 4kHz

(single shaft)

Microgeneration - Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

1/Ropt

I
M

ISC
Imax

N
A
P
1/R

Micro-wind turbines
Vertical axis micro-wind turbines

V max

S
VOC

Fuel-Cells
Different Types (PEM, SOFC, Alkaline, PAC)

Energy storage - flywheels

Key element for the operation of a microgrid

MicroGrids Modes of Operation

MicroGrids can operate:
Normal Interconnected Mode :
Connection with the main MV grid;
Supply, at least partially, the loads or injecting in the MV grid;

Emergency Mode :
In case of failure of the MV grid;
Possible operation in an isolated mode as in physical islands:
Moving to island mode;
Load following;
Requires
In this case, the MGCC:

dynamic behavior analysis

Changes the output control of generators from a dispatch power mode to a frequency mode;
Primary control MC and LC;
Secondary control MGCC;
Eventually, triggers a black start function.

Improves Reliability

New Protections schemes need also to be addressed

Normal interconnected mode

Managing the microgrid

Normal interconnected mode

Forecasting functionalities

Normal interconnected mode

Buying and selling via an aggregator

Normal interconnected mode

Information for managing the microgrid

Emergency operation requires specific studies

Development of models for microgenerators:
Inverters
Microturbines (single shaft and split-shaft);
Fuel cells (SOFC);
PV arrays;
Wind generators;
Flywheels;
Frequency and voltage controls.
Controllable loads

Development of simulation tools for steady state and dynamic

analysis
Identification of possible control strategies (load shedding included)

Development of Models of Microsources (MT)

Turbine modeling
Dtur

wr

Vmax

Pin

1
1 ? Ts
1

LV
gate

1
1 ? Ts2

Pm

Vmin
+

KT

1
1 ? Ts3

L max

Development of Models of Microsources (FC- SOFC)

Nerst equation plus the Ohm law
!"
rr
VNErI
fcfc=%+&%
00 '(
'(
-.

Pdem

Umax
2Kr

Pref

"

I infc

Limit
V fcin

RT% #$ ppHO22 %
)*ln
2 % Fp)*
HO
+,
2

12

Electrical response of the FC

qHin2

1
1 +#Tse

r
fc

in
H2

2Kr

Umin
2Kr

I rfc

2Kr
U opt

1
1 +#Tsf

qHin2

1
rHO_

Kr

qOin2

1 K H2

1 K HO2

1 K O2

1 +#$ H 2 s

1 +#$ HO2 s

1 +#$ O2 s

pHO2

pH 2

%&
NE00 #+)*
)*
/0

Chemical response of the fuel processor

'(
ppHO22 #
RT#
+,ln
2 # Fp +,
HO2
-.

Dynamic response
of the flow

pO2

12

- Vr
fc

I rfc
FP

Pe
Qe

Inverter control types

PQ inverter control:
the inverter is used to meet a given active and reactive power set-point.
DC

Vdc

Microsource

AC
u, i
u = ugrid + k(iref - i)
iref
!

V dc ref

PI

i react
i

x
i

Current controlled voltage source

i act

Set Point
react

act

Voltage Source Inverter control logic:

the inverter is controlled to feed the
load with pre-defined values for voltage

P
P vs f droop

and frequency. Depending on the load,

the Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) real and

Decoupling

References

Q vs V droop

reactive power output.

MicroGrid Operation and Control

Single Master Operation

P, Q & V measurements
from MC and LC
Frequency measurement
from VSI

Droop Settings
MGCC

VSI
Control

V, I

V, I

P&Q Settings

PQ
Control

Q Set Point
Controller
V DC

AC

DC
V DC

AC
VSI

Electrical
Network

DC

Loads

P
Primer
Mover

MicroGrid Operation and Control

Multi Master Operation

P, Q & V measurements
from MC and LC
Frequency measurement
from VSI
Droop Settings

P&Q Settings

MGCC

Load Switching
VSI
Control

V, I

V, I

PQ
Control

Q Set Point
Controller
VD C

VD C

AC

DC
AC
VSI

Primer
Mover

DC

Electrical
Network
LC

V, I

Loads

VSI
Control

Controller
VD C

AC

P
Primer
Mover

DC

MicroGrid Operation and Control

Storage devices active power output is proportional to the MG frequency

deviation (droop control)
!P
!Pmax

Correct permanent
frequency deviations
during islanding
operation

!f min
!fmax

!f=f0 -f

!Pmin

f ref = 50 Hz

PI

!
f MG

MC

Microsource

MicroGrids Dynamic Simulation Test System

20 kV

0.4 kV
MG Main
Storage

30 kW SSMT

Group of 4
Residences
10 kW PV
Appartment
building
2x30 kW SSMT

15 kW wind
generator
Appartment
building
30 kW SOFC

Industrial
Load

10 kW PV

MicroGrids Dynamic Simulation Simulation Platform

SSMT

VSI + STORAGE

Load:
WIND
GENERATOR

115+j28 kVA
Local Generation:
62+j17 kVA

SOFC

PV

Power Import:
53+j11 kVA

LOAD

Results from Simulations

MG Frequency and VSI Active Power

)
z 50.2
H
(
50
y
c
n 49.8
e
u
q 49.6
e
r
F
) 49.4
W
k
( 49.2
0
r
e
50
w
o
40
P
e
v
i
t
c
A
I
S
V

50

100

50

100

150

200

250

150

200

250

30
20
10
0
-10
-20
0

Time (s)

Results from Simulations

Controllable Microsources Active Power

30

)
W 25
k
(
r
e 20
w
o
P
e 15
v
i
t
c
A 10
SSMT1 & SSMT2
SSMT3

0
0

SOFC

50

100

150
Time (s)

200

250

Some Results
Moving to Island Operation System Frequency

- Load-shedding implemented
- The flywheel injects and
absorbs active power

Load Reconnection
- No load-shedding
- The flywheel only injects
active power

Load-shedding

Using MicroGrids for Service Restoration

DG maturation can offer ancillary services, such as the provision of Black

Start in low voltage grids

Black-Start is a sequence of events controlled by a set of rules

A set of rules and conditions are identified in advance and embedded in MGCC
software
These rules and conditions define a sequence of control actions to be carried out
during the restoration stages
The electrical problems to be dealt with include:

Building LV network
Connecting microgenerators
Connecting controllable loads
Controlling frequency and voltage
Synchronization with the MV network (when available)

MicroGrids Black Start Sequence of Actions

Sequence of Actions During MG Black Start

Multi Master Operation in the initial stages of the procedure
Disconnect all loads and sectionalize the MG so that some microsources may
feed its own loads Creation of small islands inside of the MG
Start energizing the LV cables and the distribution transformer (using the
storage device)
Synchronize the other microsources with the LV network
Connect controllable loads taking into account the available storage capability
(including motor load start-up)
Connect non-controllable microsources or those without black start capability
to get crank power from the energized MicroGrid

MicroGrids Black Start Sequence of Actions

Change the MG control scheme to Single Master Operation
Batteries assumed to be installed in microsources DC link are not suitable to
respond to frequent load variations charge/discharge cycles reduce significantly
the life-cycle.
Flywheel storage systems can operate equally well on frequent shallow
discharges and on very deep discharges.

Reconnect to the main grid

MicroGrid Black Start Test System

The fast transients associated to the
initial stages of the MG restoration
process were analysed using an EMTPRV tool, being the long term dynamics
evaluated using the MatLab Simulink
simulation platform

20 kV

0.4 kV
MG Main
Storage

30 kW SSMT

Group of 4
Residences
10 kW PV
Appartment
building

15 kW wind
generator

2x30 kW SSMT

Appartment
building

Industrial
Load

30 kW SSMT

10 kW PV

Results from Simulations Long Term Dynamics

Small Islands Synchronization
)
z
H
(
y
c
n
e
u
q
e
r
F

50

49.5

49

) 48.5
0
W
k
(
40
r
e 30
w
o
P 20
e
v
i
t
c
A

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

SSMT
SSMT
SSMT
90

1
2
3
100

80

SSMT
SSMT
SSMT
90

1
2
3
100

10
0
-10
0

10

20

30

40

50
Time (s)

60

70

Results from Simulations Long Term Dynamics

)
Development
of the Service Restoration Procedure
z
H
(

50.4
y
c 50.2
n
e
50
u
q)
eW 49.8
rk
F(
49.6
90
r
e 40
w
o
P 20
e
v)
iw 0
tk
c(
A -20
r
90
e
w
o 60
P
40
e
v 20
i
t
0
c
A
90

load connection

WG connection
100

110

120

130

PVs connection
140

150

160

170

180

190

200

210

220

Motor load start up

100

110

120

130

140

150
160
SSMT 1
SSMT 2
SSMT 3

170

180

190

100

110

120

130

140

150
160
Time (s)

170

180

190

MG main storage
200
210
220

200

210

220

Results from Simulations Long Term Dynamics

Node Voltage and Microsources Reactive Power
)
V
( 420
e
)g 400
ra
a
t
v
l 380
k
o
(V
r 36090
e
10
w
o
P
)
re
av
5
vi
kt
(c
a
re
0
90
eR
w
20
o
P
15
e
10
v
i
5
t
c
a
0
90
e
R

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

MG main storage
SSMT 1
SSMT 2
190
200
210
220

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

190

170

180

190

MG main storage
200
210
220

SSMT 1
SSMT 2
SSMT 3

100

110

120

130

140

150
160
Time (s)

200

210

220

A step ahead: Multi-microgrids

Multi-Microgrids require an hierarchical distributed control

Distribution Management Systems (DMS) need to deal with
controllability capabilities of large number of DG units and
microgrids

Conclusions
Considerable reductions in CO2 emissions can be obtained by
increasing microgeneration penetration due to replacement of fossil
fueled power plants and due to losses reduction;
Large scale G --> Deferral in central generation investments and
grid infrastructures
Challenges and threats become opportunities:
Microgrids provide an area of future business for the electric power industry.

Conclusions
Road map for Portugal:
New technical rules to allow the connection of G into the distribution grids using a
simple kid of fit and inform approach
Fair remuneration scheme for G having in mind avoided environmental costs,
avoided grid reinforcement and generation expansion costs, avoided grid losses and
additional technical benefits
Develop applied research activities to produce industrial prototypes for further
industrialization
New distribution regulatory framework to account for distribution network reliability
increase and for network efficiency increase (new incentive schemes)
Promote demonstration sites (public buildings, ecological communities)