CHAPTER 1

MICRO GRID

1.1 Introduction
A grid is a network of synchronized power providers and consumers that are
connected by transmission and distribution lines and operated by one or more control
centres as shown in the Fig.1. It consists of Generating stations that produce electrical
power, High voltage transmission lines that carry power from distant sources to
demand centers and distribution lines that connect individual customers.

Fig. 1 Electrical grid

Basically, Grids are of three types namely:

1. Mini grids
2. Micro grids
3. Nano grids
A Micro grid is a small-scale power grid that can operate independently or
collaboratively with other small power grids. The practice of using microgrids is
known as distributed, dispersed, decentralized, district or embedded energy
production. Substation is a part of grid and is defined as “An electrical power
substation is a conversion point between transmission level voltages (such as
132/220/400/765 KV) and distribution level voltages (such as 33/11 KV).”

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 The concept of micro grids was proposed by Lasseter RH. The integration of
distribution DC micro grids have been increased by using various technologies
including distributed renewable energy sources (RES), energy storage system (BES),
loads, grid-connected voltage sourceconverter(G-VSC) andcontrol devices. The DC
micro grids are important in coping with energy shortage and environmental
pollution. According to the source type, micro grids can be divided into AC micro
grids and DC micro grids. Compared to AC microgrids, DC microgrids have many
advantages such as high efficiency and reliability, while having no frequency, reactive
issues and it is easy to connect to DC micro-sources. Consequently, DC microgrids
can be applied in a wide range of areas including residential buildings, data centres,
island power supplies, communication systems, electric vehicles, and metro tractions
etc. The wide application possibilities of DC microgrids have been conducted in
various aspects, such as power topology, network planning, operational control,
stability analysis, fault and protection. In order to improve the control capability of
the primary control level, an energy efficiency improved DC bus voltage control
strategy is proposed to increase the energy efficiency and system reliability. Finally, a
distributed DC micro grid model is established.

1.2 Types of Micro grid

Micro grids are classified into three types. They are
1. Mini grid
2. Micro grid
3. Nano grid
1. Mini grid
A mini grid, also sometimes referred to as a "microgrid or isolated grid", can
be defined as a set of electricity generators and possibly energy storage systems
interconnected to a distribution network that supplies electricity to a localized group
of customers as shown in the Fig.2.

Fig.2 Mini grid

2. Micro grid
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 A micro grid is a localized group of electricity sources and loads that normally
operates connected to and synchronous with the traditional wide area synchronous
grid as shown in the Fig.3.

Fig.3 Micro grid

3. Nano grid
Nano grids are small micro grids, typically serving a single building or a
single load. A nano grid as being 100 kW for grid-tied systems and 5 kW for remote
systems not interconnected with a utility grid as shown in the Fig.4

Fig.4 Nano grid

1.3 Modes of operation
The micro grid is operated in two modes. They are
1. Islanded mode
2. Grid connected mode
1. Islanded mode
The micro-grid is islanded from the utility grid and works autonomously,
affording the local loads independently as shown in the Fig.5

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 Fig.5 Islanded mode
2. Grid connected mode
The micro-grid is connected to the utility grid as a downstream branch,
absorbing/delivering power from/to the power system. The micro-grid is islanded
from the utility grid and works autonomously, affording the local loads independently
as shown in the Fig.6

Fig.6 Grid connected mode