Abstract A MicroGrid without a central fast-acting controller or a central energy storage unit was considered in order to establish the problems of a MicroGrid using traditional technology and to identify the additional benefits which could be derived by installing supplementary hardwaze (i.e. energy storage and central control). In view of the fast expanding electric drive vehicle market, fuel cell cars were considered as a combined micro-source/energy storage unit along with Photovoltaic units. Simulation results aze presented. The study highlights that voltage regulation is critically important in a MicroGrid, there are still substantial challenges in the design of control for renewable sources in such systems and energy storage is crucial for successful operation of any MicroGrid, though such storage may be distributed throughout the system. It was established that electric vehicles or plug-in-hybrids could be highly suitable due to the fast charge/dischazge chazacteristic of on-board storage.
[1]
Willett Kempton,et al.
Vehicle-to-grid power fundamentals: Calculating capacity and net revenue
,
2005
.
[2]
Timothy C. Green,et al.
Real-World MicroGrids-An Overview
,
2007,
2007 IEEE International Conference on System of Systems Engineering.
[3]
R.H. Lasseter,et al.
Autonomous control of microgrids
,
2006,
2006 IEEE Power Engineering Society General Meeting.
[4]
Chris Marnay,et al.
Integration of distributed energy resources. The CERTS Microgrid Concept
,
2002
.
[5]
C. E. Jones,et al.
Unified Control and Operation of a 20kVA Laboratory Microgrid Incorporating Flywheel Energy Storage
,
2007
.