Priority based strategic modes of operation and control for renewable energy sources micro-grid

Abstract

In the recent years, micro-grids have been an area of colossal talks worldwide being one of the primary elements of the prevailing smart grid evolution. Across the globe, several micro-grid ventures have been effectively implemented in the advanced countries and many are in progress in the developing countries too. Micro-grids have established capabilities of handling and harmonizing Distributed Resources in an automated manner without active human intervention. The power generation system has been modeled that typically assimilates various renewable energy generation modules, allied with energy storage units, power conditioners, basic control & protection equipment, and the loads. The best suited local resources have been integrated and modeled as an AC micro-grid. The selection and sizing of the components have been done using HOMER Pro micro-grid Analysis Tool. Various operational modalities of the micro-grid constituents have been strategically designed to enable priority-based energy management.Further an operational model is developed for MicroGrid with chosen sources connected through relays for switching based on the logic. It connects to the main grid through coupling. With considerations of resources generation priority and the load demand situations, the basic strategy for operation of the micro-grid has been designed in four major modes, systematically deciding the course of actions based on the imparted decision making logic. Validating result of priority based transition of the operating modes and their resulting operation of a smart micro grid has been portrayed. It provided economical operation while ensuring that the critical and non-critical loads are provided powers from RES or the main grid, depending on cost priority, at the same time in case of RES having surplus power is sold to the main grid. This has been properly depicted by state transition diagrams as well as application of the same to the experimental setup using prototype models.