International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, Signals, Communication and Optimization (EESCO) - 2015

A Comprehensive Review on Modeling,

Control, Protection and Future Prospects of
Microgrid
Subhashree Choudhury

Leesa Mohapatra

Department Of Electrical & Electronics Engineering

SOA University
Bhubaneswar,India
subhashree3@gmail.com

Department Of Electrical & Electronics Engineering

SOA University
Bhubaneswar,India
leesa.mhptr1991@gmail.com

Pravat Kumar Rout

Department Of Electrical & Electronics Engineering
SOA University
Bhubaneswar,India
pkrout_india@yahoo.com
AbstractImminent constraints such as sky rocketing
energy costs and need for expansion of generation &
distribution systems attributable to increase in demand
of power has led to revolution in generation system and
evolution of Microgrid concept. Various operating
principles and configuration of Microgrid are discussed
in this paper focusing its operation in grid tied as well
standalone operation mode. Possible controlling
schemes and protection strategies are also suggested in
this paper keeping in mind expected future prospects
and challenges that can come in way while interfacing
Microgrid with the main utility grid.
KeywordsMicrogrid; distributed generator (DG);
energy storage devices (ESD); point of common coupling
(PCC)

I.

INTRODUCTION

Since late 19th century conventional power

generation systems has been adopted to supply power
to the commercial and domestic energy systems. But
according to the Energy Information Administration
(E.I.A) in U.S, the world electricity consumption is
increasing at an average rate of 1.4% per annum.
Consequently, Few restraints such as increasing
energy costs, limited funds for encouraging
construction of new power generation systems and
distribution networks has to be taken into
consideration before expanding the current power
system.
Traditional power generation and distribution
system modernization is inevitable in recent era due
to following emerging issues [1]:
Global warming due to emission of
greenhouse gases
Depletion of fossil fuels due to strong
dependence of conventional power plants on
them for energy source

978-1-4799-7678-2/15/$31.00 2015 IEEE

Increase in energy consumption standards due

to advancement in modern gadgets and
appliances
Augment in power electronic devices has
contributed towards increase in DC loads and
consequently lead to increased concern for DC
power
Perusing the above constraints and issues and to
meet the future demands for power, A flexible,
configurable, informative and reliable energy system
has become obligatory.
The concept of Microgrid with integration of
renewable based distributed generator (DG) units
such as photovoltaic array, wind turbines, fuel cells
and energy storage devices such as batteries,
flywheels, supercapacitors [2] [3] has emerged
contemplating the futuristic energy demand and
generation.
In this paper an extensive review on Microgrid is
presented which includes Microgrid operation modes
in section II, architecture in section III, controlling
methods in IV and protection schemes in section V.
Technical challenges and future prospects of
Microgrid are further adjunct to the review.
II.

MICROGRID: BASIC CONCEPT AND

OPERATION

A. Basic concept of Microgrid

Microgrid can be explicated as a network of low
or medium voltage tiny power grid which
incorporates distributed generator units along with
energy storages, operating in a combined and
coordinated fashion in integration with controlled
protective devices and power electronic devices at the
interface, in order to feed sensitive and non-sensitive
loads independently or in conjunction with main
utility grid [4].

The Microgrid concept is commendatory from

both utility as well as customer point of view.
From the Utility point of view, introduction of
Microgrid minimizes the requirement for
distribution and transmission network
expansion. Since it is located near the
customers end, the losses due to distribution
and transmission circuits are reduced. It also
gives network support during stress in the
main grid by mitigating congestion and
assisting restoration after fault clearance.
From the Customer point of view, Microgrid
contributes towards both thermal and
electricity needs of customers. At customers
end it intensifies the reliability of the power
generation system as well as reduces the
voltage dips by improving the power quality
and supporting voltage of the main utility grid.
As it encourages renewable distributed
generation, emission of unwanted greenhouse
gases can also be reduced. Being located at the
customers end, it considerably decreases the
cost of energy supply.
B. Modes of operation
Microgrid fundamentally has two operation
modes:
1) Grid connected operation mode
2) Islanding or Standalone operation mode
1)

Grid connected mode:

In grid connected operation mode, Microgrid is

tied to the main utility grid at the point of common
coupling (PCC) on low or medium voltage side. This
operation mode is also familiarly called as on grid
operation mode. In this operation mode Microgrid is
commonly attached to the main utility grid at medium
voltage of 11kv to 66kv or low voltage of 110v to
690v depending upon the capacities and location of
the distributed generator units [5].
2)

Islanding or Standalone mode:

In Islanded or Standalone mode Microgrid

disconnects from the main utility grid as soon as there
is detection of any fault occurrence, in order to avoid
disturbance at the customers end. The fault
occurrence may further lead to subsequent switching
incidents or predetermined switching events. Hence,
the Microgrid picks up sensitive loads to provide
unaffected power supply. This operation mode is also
known as off grid operation mode. The non
sensitive loads or loads of less priority can be shed if
the capacity of the Microgrid to supply power is not
sufficient [6] [7].

Fig.1.

Fundamental architecture of Microgrid

III.

MICROGRID ARCHITECTURE

Fig.1 renders the fundamental architecture of

Microgrid which is propounded by CERTS [8]. The
structure of the Microgrid shown in the Fig.1. has
radial network with 3 feeders denoted as A, B and C.
Feeder A and B comprise of sensitive loads along
with several distributed generator units where as
feeder C has only traditional loads. In addition, feeder
B has a CHP providing distributed generator which
may be fuel cell, internal combustion engine or any
other such DG which provides both heat and power.
Microgrid system in the figure is tied to the main
utility grid at PCC. The Separation Device (SD) is
basically protective devices which facilitate to switch
between the modes of operation i.e islanded or grid
connected mode depending upon the fault occurrence
and electrical environment of the main utility grid.
Microgrid architecture is further broadly
classified depending upon the output power fed to the
customers. It is primarily of two types:
A. AC Microgrid
B. DC Microgrid
A. AC Microgrid
An AC Microgrid tied to a medium voltage
network of the main utility grid at PCC is depicted in
Fig.2.
DG units depending on microsources which
produce DC power such as PV array, fuel-cell, etc
and the energy storage device (ESD) are interfaced
with controlled power electronic converters for
managing the reactive and real power and minimizing
transients so as to attain voltage quality and stability
in the system [9].
Washing machine, microwave, dishwasher,
refrigerator are few examples of the AC loads which
are used in domestic energy systems and can be
powered by AC Microgrid.

Fig.2.

AC Microgrid Architecture

Fig.3.

DC Microgrid Architecture

B. DC Microgrid
Elevation in the use of power electronic devices in
the modern gadgets has boost up the use of DC power
since few decades. In domestic supply systems, DC
power is either obtained from a battery or from
rectified AC source. Hence as a consequence of this
scenario, DC Microgrid can become the new trend for
power supply [10].
Fig.3. renders a DC Microgrid which is connected
to a medium voltage AC network of the main utility
grid at PCC.
Laptop computers, cable modems, DVD player,
wireless USB, cell phone, etc. are few appliances
powered by DC in domestic energy systems and have
utmost importance in current lifestyle.
IV.

CONTROLLING METHODS ADOPTED

IN MICROGRID

DG units of Microgrid consists of various

microsources such a PV array, wind turbine, fuel
cells, etc. and each of them have different steady state
and dynamic characteristics. Besides, Integration of
energy storage devices with DG units in Microgrid is
a further challenge for supplying reliable power.
Thus, Giving preference to the delivery of reliable
and improved quality electric power to the customers,
Microgrid should have good and efficient control and
management system. Few aspects which contribute
towards need for control in Microgrid are stated
below:
If Microgrid will have a systematic control
system, then microsources can be added or
removed seamlessly depending upon the load
power requirements
An efficient control system provides an ease
to the microgrid while switching between the
grid connected or islanded operation mode
Independent control of reactive and real power
can be achieved
Regulations of the voltage and frequency so as
to achieve conventional standards can be done
Any disturbance in system such as voltage sag
or transients due to switching can be detected
and isolation can be done.
Classification of control methods:
In Microgrid DG units constituting microsources,
which may DC microsources such as PV array, fuel
cells, etc. or may be AC microsources such as

Fig.4.

PQ Control Scheme for current regulation power flow

microturbine, wind turbine, etc., and energy storage

devices are interfaced with the main utility grid via
power electronic converters.
Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) is widely used for
conversion of DC to AC power at the interface with
the utility grid. Thus, control strategies are basically
implemented for inverter control in Microgrid. Some
of the control methods are indicated below:
1)

PQ Controlling Scheme

The main purpose of PQ controlling scheme is to

maintain constant reactive and real power of the
Microgrid at a desired power-factor [11]. Fig.4 shows
PQ control method for inverter [12] where the
reference values of real power (P) and reactive power
(Q) are determined by Microgrid Central Controller
(MGCC). This control scheme can be installed as a
voltage controlled or current controlled voltage
source in the grid. In Fig.4. a current controlled
voltage source is assumed which is formed by the
integration of Microgrid and inverter. The direct and
quadrature component of voltage is obtained from
current in phase by dq0 transformation [13]. The
direct component of voltage controls the active power
where as the quadrature component of voltage
controls reactive power.
2)

Droop Control

In Droop control method, voltage source inverter

(VSI) behaves as a voltage source. The magnitude of
its voltage obtained (V) and frequency (f) are
controlled by V-f droop characteristics. Fig.5. shows
droop characteristics of V & f. In this type of control,
reactive power (Q) is affected by voltage and real
power (P) is affected by frequency. The equations
mentioned below shows the relationship of f with P
and V with Q respectively.
(1)
(2)
Where
and
are slopes of respective droop
characteristics and
and
are ideal values of the
frequency and voltages respectively [14]. The
frequency of output voltage (f) is determined by real
power (P) droops and reactive power (Q) droops
determine the voltage magnitude (V).

mode, it uses V/f control to maintain stable system

voltage and frequency.
It is said to be Single-Master control if master
controller uses V/f control for only one microsource
of large capacity. In Multiple-Master control,
multiple microsources are controlled by multiple
master controllers and use PQ control [17].
Fig.5.
(a) Droop characteristics of frequency (f) & (b) Droop
characteristics of Voltage (V)

3)

V/f Control

V/f control scheme is one more method which can

be suggested for controlling voltage source converters
performing parallel operations in islanding and grid
connected mode [15]. In islanded mode, Microrgid
voltage and frequency is regulated by multiple
voltage source converters jointly and allot active and
reactive loads in proportion of V & f droop
coefficients determined by V/f controller. But in case
of grid connected operation mode, voltage and
frequency are determined by the utility grid as well as
real and reactive power delivered by the voltage
source converters are also determined by the grid
along with droop coefficient of V/f controller.
V/f control strategy primarily works on the
principle of adjusting the droop curve transversely
and it is depicted in Fig.6.

V.

Protection system adopted for Microgrid should

have specific features such as: It should have good
speed of response for fault occurrence, reliable,
selective while choosing relay for isolation,
economical to install. Microgrid Protection is a
challenge as there is significant difference between
the fault currents in grid connected and islanded
operation mode. Major obstacles faced by Microgrid
Protection systems are: protection based on
overcurrent & earth fault, selectivity of relay during
fault, safe isolation of DG units, seamless islanded
operation & neutral grounding [18].
Keeping in mind the above features and
challenges, Protection strategies foe Microgrid
system should have the following objectives:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Fig.6.
(a) Droop characteristics of frequency (f) & (b) Droop
characteristics of Voltage (V)

4)

Peer to Peer Scheme of Control

Peer to Peer scheme of control allows Microgrid

to plug-and-play which signifies that the
microsources can be possibly added to DG units of
Microgrid efficiently without changing controlling
schemes and protection schemes of the system. This
type of controlling scheme can be introduced with the
help of droop control if all the microsources in a DG
unit exhibit similar characteristics so as to coordinate
with whole Microgrid. P-f/V-Q type droop control is
widely adopted in peer to peer control method [16].
5) Master-Slave Control
In Master-Slave control strategy, Microgrid has a
master controller and several slave controllers. Slave
controllers follow the instructions of the master
controller through communication connection of
master and slave units. During grid connected mode,
Master-Slave control strategy follow PQ control to
insure efficiency and economy while in islanded

PROTECTION STRATEGIES

To detach components in system persisting

abnormal behaviour as quick as possible
To safeguard the Microgrid constituting DG
units & converters
To assure reliable & uninterrupted supply of
power
To reduce repair cost by minimizing damage
due to faults
To assist selective operation so as to minimize
system interruption & disconnections

The intension of Microgrid Protection is to ensure

unassailable and assured operation of the system with
reliable power supply. Ergo, Adopting separate
protection setting for islanded and grid connected
operation mode is the most foreseeable solution
cosidering concerns for following attributes [19]:
a. Protection system installed must respond to
distribution system faults as well as Microgrid
faults
b. It should be fast enough in case of isolation of
Microgrid from the grid during fault
c. During fault in islanded operation mode,
smallest radial feeder having fault must be
isolated.
d. It must also take care of customers interest
for power quality and reliability of the
protection system
Microgrid protection strategies work on the
principle that if any fault exists in main utility grid,
the Microgrid tend to isolate from main utility grid at
PCC via separation device (SD) leading to islanding
of the Microgrid system. Furthermore if any fault
emerges within the Microgrid, then smallest radial
feeder having fault is segregated.
The protection strategies can be prominently
categorized based on: overcurrent, current

component, current travelling waves, fault current

limiter, voltage, distance and harmonic content.
In rotection strategy based on overcurrent,
directional overcurrent relay is preferred over
traditional overcurrent relay, as it fails to
protect Microgrid because of its bidirectional
flow of current with grid and consumers.
Directional relays are efficient for detecting
and eliminating the faults occurred in
distribution system or Microgrid [20]
In case of protection strategy based on current
component, Microgrid is divided into many
zones with relays for protection. Current
component is further classified as differential
and symmetrical components of current. Fault
in up-stream zones are predicted by
differential component of current. Fault in the
down-stream such as single line-to-ground
fault and fault in all protection zones such as
line-to-line faults are detected by symmetrical
component of current, which are basically
zero and negative sequence components of
current [21]
Protection strategies based on current
travelling waves determine the faulty feeder
using busbar voltage. When any disturbance
takes place, it causes change in frequency,
voltage and power at the busbar connected to
the faulty feeder. Hence, the current
transformer connected in line measures the
current waves and decomposes it using
wavelet multi resolution analysis. Then the
faulty feeder is determined by comparing the
polarity and magnitude of the current
travelling wavelet with the initial wavelet [22]
Protection strategy based on fault current
limiter limits the fault current contributed by
DG units. Fault current limiters are generally
placed in series with the utility grid so that it
can detect and limit the overcurrent which is
generally close to protection devices. It may
add small value of impedance and loss in
power as connected in series with the line [23]
In protection strategy based on voltage, output
voltage of DG unit is scrutinized and using dq
reference frame transformed into DC values.
If any fault occurs in the distribution system, it
will be reflected in the values in the dq
framework and accordingly the disturbance
location can be zoned and cleared in
Microgrid [24]
Protection strategy based on distance
protection uses distance relay possessing
characteristics of mho relay while providing
two zone protections. Zone 1 provide
protection for 80% of the line while zone 2
protects the whole line as well as 50% of the
adjacent line [25]
Inverters play vital role in Microgrid and
inject harmonics in the system during
disturbance. Hence, protection strategy based
on the harmonic content works on the

principle that the protection relay persistently

observes the total harmonic distortion (THD)
in the terminal voltage of inverter and ceases
the operation of inverter if THD overreach the
threshold value at the fault occurrence
condition [26]
VI.

MICROGRID CONFRONTS

Some of confronts of the Microgrid are studied

below:
Conspicuous feature of Microgrid is that it can
perform in autonomous as well as on grid
operation mode depending upon the fault
occurrence. But, the transition from grid
connected to islanded mode can take place
from grid connected to islanded mode in two
ways: black start method, where there is a
time delay to re-energize Microgrid and
seamless transition between operating modes.
The black start method may cause power
outage where as seamless transition method
may have synchronization failures. Hence,
reliable and uninterrupted power supply is a
challenge to achieve, during transitiom of
operation modes [27]
Converters play a crucial role in Microgrid.
But, they contribute towards injection of
harmonic component and distortion in the
system. As a result, design of filters for
suppressing harmonic current or voltage in a
challenge
The supply of power from Microgrid comes
from uncontrolled sources such as solar, wind,
etc which are easily influenced by the weather
and are uncertain
A Microgrid Separation Device (SD) has nonlinear characteristics
Micro-source inverter response is faster than
conventional power generation unit, i.e the
time constant is small, the damping is small
and the system is prone to oscillation
VII.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Some of the future prospects of Microgrid are

mentioned below:
Communication and control algorithm of
Microgrid can be further studied to improve
successful coordination of DG units, energy
storages and converters
Seamless transition of islanded and grid
connected operating modes and black start of
Microgrid need more attention for a reliable
and synchronized system
Hybrid Microgrid can be an approach for
achieving a flexible and robust power system
by merging AC & DC Microgrid
Protection systems can be improvised by
installing new technologies like Global
Positioning System (GPS) and Phasor
Measurement Unit (PMU) and optimization

techniques like Particle Swarm Optimization

(PSO)
VIII.

CONCLUSION

This paper presents a meticulous review of

Microgrid. The paper brings out various pros and
cons of Microgrid concept by inspecting possible
aspects of it. Microgrid can become an alternate
source of electric network for feeding consumers. But
robustness and controlling mechanism may be
hindrances in its installation. Flexibility of the system
and protection strategies should be taken care of so as
to provide uninterrupted reliable power supply.

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