Introduction to Smart Grid

Prof. N. P. Padhy
Department of Electrical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

Lecture - 25
Operation and Control of AC Microgrid- I

Welcome you all today for Operation and Control of AC Microgrid lecture. And in this
section we mainly focus on what is AC microgrid and how the DGs can be controlled for
a better operation of a microgrid. So, in this connection we will be first understanding try
to understand the concept of AC microgrid and its control.

(Refer Slide Time: 00:59)

AC microgrid operation modes, islanding of microgrids, control of distributed generation

within a microgrid, microgrid ancillary services and few more case study to appreciate
the fundamentals.
(Refer Slide Time: 01:16)

First of all, we need to understand what is a microgrid. I mean microgrid do have

different definitions, but one of the very basic fundamental way of explaining microgrid
would be, microgrid is a localized group of electricity sources and loads that normally
operate and connected to, and as well as synchronous with a traditional centralized
electrical grid called macrogrid. But can also disconnect if necessary to islanded mode
and function autonomously as per physical and/or economic conditions.

Now, let us consider a typical AC microgrid architecture we can see that the main utility
grid, which I mean does exists in the system and this is my or our proposed microgrid.
Now we can clearly see there are few wind turbines loads, electric vehicles and PV
connected to my bus the blue line and further we have other type of sources from micro
turbine fuel cell and battery.

So, here I like to focus on one point like in this AC bus, which has directly been
connected to my utility grid which is also AC in nature. Now we have connected all
different type of DC as well as AC sources the support of different interface converters
and those feed power as well as energy to the AC grid and simultaneously we can
connect AC loads as well as charge our electric vehicles through appropriate conversion
from the AC grid.

Now, microgrids are small electrical distribution systems and they could be either of a
100 kilowatts or maybe few Megawatts system that connect multiple customers to
multiple distributed sources of generation and storage. So, please keep in mind microgrid
is also a small distribution system with low capacity, and could manage to accommodate
many different type of distributed generation along with storage simultaneously. Now
there are two major operations that AC microgrid do face from time to time one is very
common normal operation we called grid connected mode, and the other one is isolated
mode or islanded mode.

(Refer Slide Time: 04:30)

(Refer Slide Time: 04:33)

Now, in a normal operation the microgrid is connected to the main medium voltage
distribution grid, being either partially supplied from it or injecting some amount of
power to it. That means a microgrid which has been connected to your medium voltage
distribution network, though it has its own generations to meet the local loads.

But sometimes it may take bit of energy from the main grid and when they do have
excess energy they are capable of giving it back to the main grid. Now power reference
for the microgrid control are issued by the microgrid centralized controller called
MGCC. The control system in the local controller of the distributed generations is known
as PQ inverter control and the DG is said to be at PQ mode.

(Refer Slide Time: 05:33)

Now, in case of isolated mode of operation the microgrid islanding process may result
from an intentional disconnection from the medium voltage grid or from a forced
disconnection due to some fault or it could be a voltage dip. Now, in islanded mode one
DG may be operated in the VF mode, and the other in the PQ mode. The control system
in the local controller of the distributed generation is known as PQ inverter control and
DG said to be in PQ mode similar to your grid connected operations.
(Refer Slide Time: 06:19)

Now, let us try to understand what is islanding by the definition itself it says that
something has been separated out or made independent. Islanding is a critical and unsafe
condition in which a distributed generation such as solar continued to supply power to
the grid while the electric utility is down. That means, we do have this is my main grid
and this is my microgrid, they two are interconnected. And due to any reason if they are
separated out all the sources connected to my microgrid is unable to inject power if the
system has not contained to islanded mode of operation means your grid is down as well
as the generations are down.

But if you could manage to have an islanded mode of operation, then even though this
minor grid is islanded. The source is connected to that islanded grid can continue to
supply even they are separated. Now what are the main issues safety concern; utility
workers may get exposed to hazard such as shocks, damage to customer appliances due
to voltage fluctuations, inverter damage leads to malfunction of the inverters, islanding
detection how do you know the system has been islanded or not.

There are two major one is active islanding and the other one is passive islanding. Active
islanding constantly communicating between the distributed generator and the grid to
ensure the status of the electricity supply, whereas passive islanding makes use of
electric transient to know whether the islanding has occurred or not. Now moving back
 Introduction to Smart Grid
Prof. N. P. Padhy
Department of Electrical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

Lecture – 28
Operation and Control of DC Microgrid- II

Welcome you all for today’s lecture on Operation and Control of DC Microgrid. In our
previous lecture we have seen different control schemes for DC micro grid and, now we
will concentrate on a complicated scenario, where we may have one microgrid which is
island it or in a system having multiple micro grids not necessarily one, but there could
be n number of micro grids 1, 2, 3, 4 up to n and, how do they communicate and the
control function need to be developed for that.

So, we can we could have one microgrid which is single islanding, or could be multiple
islanding and with all those scenarios with both grid connected and islanded mode, we
will try to understand what would be the best control mechanism suited for DC
microgrid applications.

(Refer Slide Time: 01:38)

Now, as we all know there are or perhaps many times, I have discussed in my previous
lecture there are two mode of operations one is grid connected operation of DC
microgrid. And the other one is islanded or autonomous could be single or multi DC
micro grids. Now, in case of DC micro grid, DC micro grid is connected to my utility
through bidirectional converter and the bidirectional power flow happens according to
DC grid requirements.

Here we do have the DC grid and my AC grid, or the main grid and they have been
connected through a bidirectional converter, but the energy exchange from both the side
is possible.

Now, in case of islanded mode or autonomous mode for both single as well as multiple
DC micro grid, is either disconnected from the utility, or is located far away from the
reach of a conventional grid. Means the grid which is been connected to my AC grid, but
disconnected due to some issues technical challenges, or we do not have grid AC grid
has never reach to the particular location and there are few communities need to be
electrified so, we need to go for islanded mode of operation or autonomous mode of
operation.

Now, the power management within DC micro grid perhaps such that the DC voltage is
always regulated. Now, if you say that DC voltage is V DC may be 48 or 96, we have to
make sure that at each and every bus the voltage is maintained to the desired DC voltage
V DC or 48 or 96.

Now, in both these operating modes that is in case of grid connected, as well as in
islanded mode of operation the control objective of various devices are decided in
accordance with operating status of the system.
(Refer Slide Time: 03:46)

Now, let us concentrate on types of islanded mode of operation, where we have single
micro grid single DC micro grid and, the second one where we have multiple DC micro
grid in place. Considering single islanded DC micro grid operation and control here,
there is only one micro grid which need to be controlled it may be controlled through
decentralized, centralized, or distributed fashion.

The decentralized control is more reliable and cost effective, any one of the decentralized
controlled techniques such as droop, bus signaling, bus leveling can be used.
Additionally, because if the battery is in place, then it is easy to control the micro grid
where the renewable source operate in it is MPPT of MPPT mode, in the battery
renewable would regulate the DC grid very important.

Now, if it is in islanded mode of operation; that means, the local lead load of the DC
micro grid must be met by it is own generation, we always wish that my PV as well as
wind generator connected to my DC micro grid; so, it produces maximum power. So,
using MPPT approach I can extract the maximum power from both solar as well as wind,
but the challenge here once we produce excess energy if my load is low, then the excess
energy can be charged through my battery.

But once the battery is fully charged and still my load is low, then it is very difficult for
me to accommodate the excess energy through MPPT available to me. So, that is what
actually one need to and address and understand how those scenarios can be carried out.
(Refer Slide Time: 06:05)

Now, in case of multiple islanded DC microgrid. Let us say instead of one microgrid, we
may have multiple micro grids in place, where the tie-line power flows between one
microgrid to other in anyway. In the islanded mode of operation micro grids especially
the ones highly dependent on renewable sources may fail to support, micro grids can be
connected to each other and form a cluster.

We may have 10 residential buildings and each residential building maybe a microgrid to
me and all of them work through a community. This concept enables maximum
utilization of energy sources, improve reliability and suppress stress and aging of the
components example power electronic convertors in the micro grid. The very important
part of multiple islanding operation is that, as I mentioned that once my load is low and
the generation is blindly available to me.

I have to store those excess energy through my battery, but once it is as high as 90
percent of the state of charge, then settle in a battery of that particular microgrid may not
be able to take those excess energy available to me from both wind and solar operating at
MPPT. But if I do have multiple microgrid connected those excess energy may go to the
other micro grid which may be shortage of energy; so, those exchanges are possible.

So, it is more efficient way where multiples micro grids operate in a cluster or together.
It may reduce the maintenance cost and expand the overall life span of the network
availability, it should be noted that when the inertia of interconnected micro grid is
relatively high, this concept may also improve the system stability.

(Refer Slide Time: 08:24)

Despite all these benefits economical issues marketing is still unsolved for micro grid
owners. To achieve a higher quality of service, example global voltage regulation power
flow control communication based higher control layers must be applied to those
systems, technology need to be very well developed and they required to be developed to
handle such, cluster based micro grids operating in islanded mode.

In case of autonomous mode each micro grid has it is own layer of supports, it is local
loads while connected the power current flow, among micro grids may be controlled to
optimize the utilization of their energy sources. It is obvious that power flow control
among micro grids can be achieved by their bus voltages means, if you wish from the
micro grid 1, the power should flow through the micro grid 1, then we have to adjust the
terminal voltage of both the micro grids in such a manner that power can flow, because
as we know the power flow between two buses is proportional to the terminal voltage of
the both the buses.

(Refer Slide Time: 09:44)

Now, this is a typical structure of a DC micro grid and I will show you later stage how
this experimentation work. So, this typical structure claims that we have a PMSG wind
turbine connected to my DC grid, ultra capacitor connected to my DC grid; hybrid
energy storage system connected to my DC grid both battery and ultra-capacitor, then we
have PV panels connected to my DC grid and we do have loads connected to DC grid,
we have utility grid and which is AC in nature.

So, this is my DC grid; so now through GSC the power can move from main grid to DC
grid, as well as it can go from my DC grid to main grid as and when excess power is
available to me in my DC grid. Now, the question is once this grid is isolated, or
disconnected from the grid under that circumstances the DC grid has to operate in an
islanded mode. Under those circumstances how do I control my all the energy sources,
such that my DC micro grid can operate efficiently.

Now, there are so, many devices within a micro grid DC micro grid. So, the important is
the converter between utility grid and DC micro grid wind generations.
(Refer Slide Time: 11:32)

Now, let us detail focus on the wind systems, then we will move to other devices like
ultra capacitors, battery storage PV and the convertors. As well as the loads so, majorly
we have load is one of my component as we have seen load 1, we have GSC converter 2,
PV 3 battery as well as ultra-capacitor as a hybrid energy system 4 and my wind 5. We
will take one component at a time and slowly discuss about their features.

(Refer Slide Time: 12:27)

PMSG wind system, PMSG wind system does not require any external arrangement for
generating the flux. The variable wind generation is first fed to uncontrolled rectifier to
convert into variable DC, the DC-DC boost converter helps to extract maximum power
from PMSG wind system. Wind curtailment can be achieved by using the turbines power
and pitch control system.

(Refer Slide Time: 13:01)

Concentrate on loads now; during grid connected operation conditions, the loads operate
as per their internal characteristics based on priority level, the loads are categorized as
critical and non-critical loads. I like to emphasize on a very important point. Now in case
of DC micro grid, when the loads are connected along with a battery storage.

As I told you when we have excess energy, those can be stored if the load is being
catered, rest of the energy can be stored in my battery. Once the battery is heavily stored
maybe 90 percent of SOC, when the MPPT operating point may be shifted to other
mode, because we cannot extract maximum power, we have to lower it is output now.

Now, when in the evening time let us say if it is a PV connected islanded DC micro grid
during, evening times when the load is more I do not have PV, I have to discharge my
battery, but the storage cannot be discharged less than 10 percent of SOC which is very
expensive and the battery life may go down. So, under those circumstances I need to
very carefully curtail my loads, I have to very carefully curtail my loads based on it is
important, whether it is critical or non-critical to match the generation available to me
and the loads.
So, indirectly the storage energy must be matched to my critical loads during peak hours,
when renewable generation is not available. Proper load management is necessary for
setting the loads, during abnormal islanded operating condition and also during peak
energy management during grid connected mode. The next important is G-VSC we call
it is grid voltage source converter connected between both AC grid and my DC
microgrid.

(Refer Slide Time: 15:29)

The main objective of G-VSC when the DC micro grid is connected to the utility is to
regulate the DC grid voltage to ensure active power balance within the DC microgrid.

The G-VSC perform inverter operation to inject excess power within the DC microgrid
to the utility and, G-VSC act in the rectifier mode while there is power deficit within the
DC micro grid. Means you get the AC power convert to DC and feed to my DC micro
grid, or when it need to be given back to my AC grid DC to AC conversion and connect
to your utility grid of the main AC grid.

Now, the next component is hybrid storage system, where we have seen that we have a
storage that is battery along with ultra-capacitor, they both go together because of their
complementary applications.
(Refer Slide Time: 16:31)

The hybrid storage system has grabbed lot of interest in DC micro grid, hybrid storage
system is a combination of both batteries with it is energy management system and ultra-
capacitor. The DC micro grid involves frequent switching of various sources and, loads
affecting the DC micro grid voltage. Because if you look into a very residential complex,
because DC micro grid is you know especially is applicable to a in a low network, where
the energy or the power requirement is in kilowatts.

And the load is keep on changing and the load is keep on changing and, that may disturb
my DC bus voltage of the DC micro grid. The battery is a high energy, but low power
density device and, the usage of battery alone as a storage device leads to reduction of
battery life due to the switching.

So, now what happens if you keep on changing the load, then your battery starts
discharging frequently the different steps and, that may spoil the life of the battery and
that can be protected in the presence of ultra-capacitor. The ultra-capacitor is a low
energy, but high density device they can easily compensate for the high frequency
switching transient.

So, way both together can handle many high frequency transients that may occur
switching transients in the system. The usage of ultra-capacitor alone with the battery
can improve the life of the battery, in the presence of ultra-capacitor which can handle
high frequency switching transients; so, that the battery life can be improved.
But when we talk about a battery we need to have a Battery Energy Management
System; BEMS.

(Refer Slide Time: 18:38)

During normal operating conditions the BEMS operates in standby or charge discharge
mode. Charge or discharge current order are given by the system operator, or the battery
management system based on the condition, or the battery system to ensure optimal
performance. During abnormal conditions that is grid failure or islanding, the ability of
the G-VSC for DC voltage control is likely to be severely affected or completely lost.

So, BEMS is required to provide necessary DC voltage regulation under this conditions.
Photo Voltaic; PV systems.
(Refer Slide Time: 19:28)

During normal operating condition, boost converter is used to extract maximum power
from photo voltaic systems. During islanded mode of operation, the PV is allowed to
operate it is MPPT mode until the battery is completely charged. As soon as the battery
is fully charged, the PV is with the PV is operated at off MPPT.

Because you cannot operate to extract maximum power at that point, because your
battery is not going to take anything it has been fully charged. So, we have to operate
your PV in voltage regulation mode. So, it will really reduce its generation and operate in
voltage regulation mode.
(Refer Slide Time: 20:22)

The mode correspondent to a AC grid connection operation via the G-VSC any power
surplus, or deficit within the DC microgrid is automatically balanced by G-VSC, though
through the connected AC network neglecting the power losses.

So, at this point ignoring the power loss now the P generation which is nothing, but my P
load minus the power coming from wind, the power coming from PV, the power coming
from super capacitor and, the power coming from battery.

P* =P -P -P -P -P
gen L wind PV SC battery

And the rest will come from my main grid at which the DC microgrid is connected.

Now, P G-VSC P wind PV, PSC and P battery refer to the power input to the DC grid
from G-VSC. The wind turbine photovoltaic system, super capacitor and the battery ES
system, P L is considered to be the power consumed by the load.

So, please remember this P generation is nothing, but my P G-VSC so, the power which
is coming through grid voltage source converter is to match the difference between the
load and the generation which is present within my DC microgrid, the mismatch will be
managed by P G-VSC.
(Refer Slide Time: 21:57)

Now, in the grid connected state the wind turbine and PV operate in MPPT mode. Now,
you could see the MPPT mode of operation for both the PV, boost converter control
schemes and, boost converter control schemes for permanent magnet synchronous
generator; MPPT mode of operation. This is the structure will discuss very much in
detail when we move forward this to give an idea, how the wind turbine and PV operates
in MPPT mode.

(Refer Slide Time: 22:34)

And this is my DC microgrid converter control schemes, you could see the DC microgrid
converter and this is the V DC, which is important variable in my given system this is
coming from my G-VSC all the variables and the control scheme is in place.

(Refer Slide Time: 22:58)

Now, the battery control scheme once again very important, we have P battery feedback
P and we do have battery converter. So, each and every device is connected to my DC
grid through converter and, you can see the ultra-capacitor scheme, similar to P battery
we will have P ultra and connected to my ultra-capacitor converter and, then it can be
connected to my DC grid.
(Refer Slide Time: 23:32)

The islanded operation of a single microgrid, this mode corresponds to islanding and
subsequent island operations. Due to disconnection to the external AC network; the DC
microgrid becomes an islanded system and the G-VSC is no longer in operation.

As I have mention the AC grid and the DC microgrid connected through G-VSC grid
voltage source converter. So, they can exchange power from AC grid to DC grid as well
as from the DC grid to AC grid, depending upon the energy level, most of the time if the
energy shot in my DC grid, it can take energy from AC grid and if excess energy is
available to me if my battery is charged the PV and wind operated MPPT.

The battery is no abler to charge so the excess energy can be diverted to AC grid instead
of moving to a other mode of operation of my PV. So, but if it is islanded then they have
to locally balance their energy in a different way. Now, during islanded mode of
operation the G-VSC has no role to play, because it has been disconnected from your AC
grid.

The DC voltage now become regulated by BEMS and required power from the BEMS
means, when it is been disconnected the local DC grid will be controlled, whenever there
is excess energy or the load is keep on varying the PV is at MPPT. So, the balancing will
be done through my battery, or the battery as well as ultra-capacitor together can meet
my load variation.
So, the PV and wind at MPPT grid has been disconnected and load variation can be
matched through my battery as well as ultra-capacitor through the hybrid energy system.
So, that you can see the P battery which is

P*battery=PL-Pwind-PPV-PSC.

the PL minus Pwind , PPV and PSC. So, the energy that has to come from battery must be
equal to the difference between, the load, power from the PV, power from the wind and
power for the super capacitor. So, battery play a very important role during islanded
operation of a DC microgrid.

However, during conditions of low wind cloudy conditions and heavy load the battery
discharging may exceed the power rating of the battery, because the load is such the
battery has to completely discharge, but as you know because to maintain the life of the
battery you cannot discharge beyond, or less than 10 percent so, that we need to take
care, it is never being advisable for the battery to do discharge to meet your load
requirement below 10 percent of associate that need to be taken care.

(Refer Slide Time: 26:53)

An alternative scenario is that although the P batteries within the power rating of the ES
system, prolonged operation in islanded mode result in low battery energy storage and, in
order to guarantee power supply to most of the critical loads appropriate load shedding
also become necessary means. If your battery is not able to discharge or not able to
maintain your load requirement.

And to meet your load if you have to reduce your SOC far below 10 percent, or may be
close to 10 percent, it would be rather advisable you can curtail some of the loads in the
DC microgrid important loads can be protected, low important low priority loads can be
curtailing so, that my battery need not discharged to such a level which is below 10
percent at any given point of time.

And other hand during conditions of high wind, the PV energy and light load the
required P battery could also exceed it is rating means, you produce excess energy
through wind and PV and your load is at light load positions, one thing I like to make it
clear at this point, I mean unfortunately we do have excess renewal available to us, when
we do not experience the peak of the system.

During night hours the wind energy is maximum, but it is not a peak hour similarly
during daytime, the PV operate it is maximum point, but it is not a peak hour. So, during
those hours the energy lead to be stored through the battery and, the battery will keep on
adding it is charging value and may exceed 90 percent of charging, or 90 percent of SOC
which is still not an advisable approach.

So, once again under the circumstances this situation can we well accommodated by
reducing the P wind, initially by using boost operation that is do not operate your PV at
MPPT and, then pitch control mechanism of the wind turbine system. Similarly, the PV
power can be reduced by operating it to of MPPT and move to voltage regulation mode, I
like to highlight two very important point here, when you have excess energy from PV as
well as from the wind and not able to store, then you move PV to it is voltage regulation
mode from MPPT to off MPPT, that is the voltage regulation mode.

Similarly, for the wind you can move from MPPT to off MPPT using pitch control
mechanism.

(Refer Slide Time: 30:02)

Now, when the SOC the battery which is within 10 percent to 90 percent of the wind
turbine and PV operates in it is MPPT mode, you could see that is both are connected to
my DC grid, operate at MPPT and this is for my permanent magnet synchronous
generator wind turbine and, this is for my PV generators.

(Refer Slide Time: 30:28)

Now, the battery would regulate the DC link voltage ultra-capacitor helps to compensate,
for high frequency switching transients and low loading no load shedding takes place.
So, this is one of the concept of battery control scheme, we will discuss very much in
detailed once you progress and today’s lecture mostly reported and referred to the
following literatures.

(Refer Slide Time: 31:00)

So, you are advised to please refer those articles to understand more on operation and
control of DC microgrid. So, I like to summarize at this stage that the DC micro grid,
operation and control become a challenging task, when it is operated with grid and
without grid it is more challenging, when it is not with the grid, because the G-VSC is no
abler to translate power from DC grid to main grid.

So, the DC grid has to balance it is power locally and, there are two scenarios where the
load is more generation is less one more scenario where generation is more and the load
is less. Now, when generation is more load is less under those circumstances the battery
can come back and extract all the energy from the PV or wind generators and, keep on
storing.

But when the storage become beyond 90 percent, then it become a critical challenge, we
cannot anymore allow your PV and wind generator to operate it is MPPT mode, they
have to go for off MPPT mode through pitch control as well as voltage regulation mode.

Wherever if the generation is low load is high the battery will start discharging it is
energy, but when it is below or close to 10 percent of SOC, it is not advisable to fully
discharge it is better to disconnect some of the non-important loads to balance the power
within a DC microgrid, but when it is connected to main grid the challenge is little less
because, as and when energy is required for the DC microgrid, it can take power or
energy from the AC grid and, if excess energies available that can be given to the AC
grid.

So, the main merit of G-VSC, if it is in place between AC and DC grid, then both my PV
and wind generators, or can operate at MPPT mode, excess energy can go to battery or it
can go to main grid, but when it is islanded mode we cannot afford to operate PV and
wind generator at it is MPPT. So, the operation control mechanism both at islanded as
well as it grid connected mode become an important issue.

So, I request all of you to please focus, the importance control mechanism for DC
microgrid, which is slightly different compared to AC microgrid mainly due to absence
of frequency.

Thank you very much.

 Introduction to Smart Grid
Prof. N. P. Padhy
Department of Electrical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

Lecture – 29
Operation and Control of AC-DC Hybrid Microgrid- I

Welcome, to the NPTEL online course on Smart Grid today and, we will be talking
about Operation and Control of AC-DC Hybrid Microgrid. As we all know during last
few lectures, we covered important concepts related to AC smart grid operation and
control and further we move to DC smart grid operation and control. And today we are
wish to discuss very much in detail the challenges associated with operation and control
of AC-DC smart grid.

Now, my dear friends the very important issue here, when we talked about AC smart
grid, I mean we understood what are the control mechanism, operational mechanism,
when it is connected to grid and, also in autonomous or islanded gird operation. And
similar kind of analysis we have understood and discussed in detail related to DC micro
grid, or DC smart grid too. But today we talk about a grid which has both AC smart grid
as well as DC micro grid; DC smart grid in place.

So, imagine a grid which is which can act as both AC and DC smart grid, or they are
together and, both AC-DC smart grid now can act in line with the utility, or the grid
connected mode, or it can also operate in a islanded mode. Now why a why we are
looking for AC-DC smart grid? Most of the generations in specific to PV and fuel cells,
they do generate power in DC mode.

And then we need to I mean convert to AC, if you connect to a AC smart grid. Similarly,
if it is a wind generation that power wind generated at AC and, then we need to convert
that to into DC, if it is a DC smart grid. Further the loads today are of both DC and AC
type the most of them are of DC type.

But still we cannot ignore the AC types of loads which are very much important at
industrial specific loads. And those loads need to be catered by both AC smart grid, as
well as in DC smart grid under any given platform or conditions. So, if it is a DC micro
grid, or a DC smart grid that DC loads can directly be connected whereas, AC load needs
conversion in case of AC smart grid AC load can be connected and DC load need to be
converted.

So, we could see there is a bigger challenge of DC to AC and AC to DC conversion in

case of AC grid and, AC to DC and DC to AC conversion in case of DC grid. And those
conversions are more and more significant, in case of a independent AC or DC smart
grid platform, so to gain couple of benefits and to avoid multiple conversions researchers
thought of going for a hybrid grid, or a combination of AC-DC smart grid and that is
what the today’s topic is all about.

But we cannot ignore the challenges; now, there are very important challenges AC smart
grid do operate with different control schemes, different operational schemes, DC grid
operate in a different control schemes and operational schemes, when they go together
what would be the common control scheme that need to be adopted, both in case of
islanded as well as grid connected mode.

So, we will slowly proceed to our understanding in detail, what are the challenges and
how that can be addressed. Certainly AC-DC smart grid is a real merit over individual
AC-DC smart grid, but the control challenges become severe and we will look forward to
address those issues during next 30 minutes from now.

(Refer Slide Time: 05:15)

The background of AC micro grid is mainly proposed to facilitate the interconnection of
renewable to conventional power system, to reduce generation from fossil fuels. And this
requires the conversion of many DC sources such as PV and fuel cell to be converted to
AC, and hence we need DC-AC conversions.

The main bus in case of a AC micro grid is AC, the AC micro grid is connected to the
utility grid for excess deficit of power sharing and for increasing the reliability of the
load means, the AC smart grid has to be connected with the grid.

So, that as and when the load increases, you know we can take power from the grid and,
when it is decreases we can share power to the grid. And that increases the reliability and
the robustness of your AC smart grid, or AC micro grid. In case of main grid failure all
the connected DC and loads need to communicate in the AC platform, because this
purely as grid for you. Modern electronic loads work on a DC platform and, in this type
of micro grid; DC-AC and for the DC conversion stages are more common.

Because you generate power with DC, connect to your AC grid, try to curtail your loads
in DC so DC to AC, AC to DC. So, that those type of conversions are very common in
case of AC micro grid.

(Refer Slide Time: 06:56)

Now, similar let us see what is DC micro grid, in specific the recent surge in the concept
of DC micro grid, facilitate direct conversion of renewables like PV, fuel cell also DC
loads means, just imagine you have a system where you have huge amount of PV
connected, as well as you have the loads which are purely lighting.

And a DC micro grid is wonderful because, you can take all the energy in the form of
DC and then cater all your loads in the form of DC, though the voltage uplifting or down
grading has to be done, but certainly it is a purely DC platform the main bus which is
DC. The DC micro grid is connected to your main grid to exchange power so that you
know the reliability of the system can improve with variation of the loads.

In case of main grid failure, we can operate in a islanded mode and, all the connected
DGs and loads need to communicate and exchange power in the DC platform; however,
the DC micro grid alone does not allow direct interconnection of renewable like wind.
For example, if you have a DC grid in place and, you have wind generative those cannot
be directly connected to your DC grid.

So, perhaps you require AC to DC conversion and being said that, we can have loads
industrial loads, induction machines those are again AC in nature. So, again you need
DC to AC conversion; so, in case of a DC smart grid or micro grid, you need to have AC
to DC and DC to AC conversion which is very common. Now, if you move to AC-DC
micro grid, which is the combination of both AC as well as DC micro grid.

(Refer Slide Time: 08:48)

Then the main buses are a common bus common buses are of both AC as well as DC.
So, you will have AC bus in place you will have DC bus in place ok, the hybrid micro
grid is connected to the utility grid for excess, or deficit energy sharing, or power sharing
and for increasing the reliability of the load. So, even this AC-DC micro grid hybrid grid
has to be connected to migrate so, that the power exchange can occur as and when the
load is keep on varying.

In case of the main grid failure my AC-DC hybrid micro grid can act independently in an
islanded mode of operation and, the all the diesel generator sorry DG distributed
generators need to communicate to each other in both AC as well as in DC platform. It is
a combination of AC and DC micro grid and very popularly named as hybrid micro grid,
both AC and DC micro grids contain distributed generators, loads and maybe storage
elements or storage systems.

So, you may have a AC micro grid or AC smart grid, which may have its own distributed
generators, loads as well as storage systems. Similarly, the DC micro grid may have all
three components like distributed generators storage elements, or systems along with
loads which are either AC or DC type.

(Refer Slide Time: 10:25)

Both the micro grids are connected together through a single AC-DC inverter, which
helps to transfer excess or deficit power from one micro grid to the other.
Now, please try to understand let us say my AC micro grid may have excess power that
need to be transferred to my DC and, vice versa I may have a DC micro grid which may
have excess power that can go back to my AC grid. The main control objective of AC
DC hybrid micro grid is to achieve power balance within the individual micro grid in
most of the time. Because, we have to balance your AC-DC micro grid even you are
along with the grid, but you to balance your energy very frequently.

Now there are different type of architectures available in literature ah, but I feel very
comfortable in picking up two very common architectures, perhaps that address all type
of different architectures.

(Refer Slide Time: 11:27)

So, one of the very common architecture is AC-DC coupled hybrid micro grid we call it
is structure 1 and, then we will see one more structure which is structure 2 in the later
stage.

Now, I need your attention here let us say this is the DC grid or a DC bus and, this is my
AC bus means, this zone is belongs to my DC micro grid, this section and this zone
towards the right belongs to my AC micro grid. And then we have an important utility
grid. Now, both AC DC hybrid micro grid can connect along with the utility and, during
emergency this can also get disconnected and this can operate in your isolated or
islanded or autonomous mode.
Now, in case of a DC bus we have all different type of sources that is DC distributed
generations, AC distributed generation and SC that storage elements and, because it DC
in nature the DC distributed generators can directly have connected to DC bus through
DC-DC conversion. AC distributed generation can be connected to my DC bus through
AC-DC conversion.

And whereas, the storage element can be connected to my DC bus through bi-directional
converter because, it may have to discharge its energy to the grid, when required as well
as it has to charge as and when required so, that is what it means bidirectional conversion
presence.

Now, in case of the AC grid similarly we so, have the grid is AC and, we have AC
distributed generations. So, that can be connected to my AC bus. Similarly, the DC
distributed system can be distributed generation can be connected to my AC bus and, the
storage element also can be connected to my AC bus.

Now, let us concentrate on the load side. Now, the loads can be either of DC and AC
type. So, both DC loads as well as AC loads can be connected to my DC bus so, the DC
loads can we catered directly whereas, the AC loads need to catered after DC-AC
conversion. Now, looking into the AC bus the loads could be AC and DC load.

And this AC load directly we converted here and, similarly we can have a conversion
that is AC to DC and, then we can catered to the DC load. So, this option is also possible
and we said that end of that both DC and AC bus will be connected through a inter
linking convertor that is ILC. So, where the energy or the power exchange is possible
from DC to AC type as well as AC to DC side. So, this conversation is possible through
ILC’s.
(Refer Slide Time: 14:40)

Now, in this structure one what are the key features? Both DC and AC buses have
distributed generations, as well as storage elements and this buses are linked by
interlinking converters that is ILC’s. The AC-DC coupled hybrid micro grid has
distributed generations and, storage on both AC side as well as in the DC side. There is a
need of robust coordination between the DC and AC subsystem, for the voltage and
power control. In general, this structure is considered, if major power sources include
both DC and AC powers.

However, DC-AC-DC as well as AC-DC-AC conversions are invertible means you

cannot avoid in this type of structure as both DC and AC sources and, loads are
connected to both the buses. Because in the DC side you have DC-AC loads, as well as
DC AC generations or sources, along with storage. In case of AC grid, you have AC- DC
distributed generators, AC-DC loads as well as you storage elements.

So, I mean the conversion from DC-AC-DC as well as AC-DC-AC is certainly cannot be
avoided, but we can also imagine some structures of or the architectures of AC-DC
micro grids, or smart grids where we may connect all the DC sources to a DC bus and,
all the AC sources to a AC bus and, very carefully we can distribute the loads DC load to
the DC side and AC load to the AC side, that is one of the wonderful I mean the structure
one can ever imagine.
If you could manage to connect all the DC source to DC grid, all the DC loads to the DC
grid and, AC source to a AC grid and AC load to AC grid so; that means, both the grids
are taking care of their own a common bus characteristic, for both generation load and
the bus. If it is purely AC or purely DC and further they can be connected to ILC’s where
the exchange of power is possible as and when required, that is centrally an efficient way
of imagining the smart grid structure.

(Refer Slide Time: 17:27)

And this is another structure we call it is structure two where you all can see this is my
DC micro grid, the left half and, the right half is my AC micro grid. And we can clearly
observe that the PV, battery, ultra-capacitor and DC loads all DC characteristic based
generations and loads are connected to my DC bus.

Now, similarly if you look at the right side the AC micro grid all the AC loads, diesel
generators, utility grid wind system, which are purely AC operational connected to my
AC bus, and perhaps they have been inter linked through DC-AC conversions. And this
is one of the very efficient structure, where we have DC one side and AC side
previously, you have seen one more structure where AC bus can accommodate all types
of generators as well as loads and DC bus also can accommodate all type of generations
and load both the structures are very important.
Now, in case of structure 2 there are few merits that let us discuss, mainly AC sources
and loads are connected to AC network whereas, DC sources and loads are tied up with
the DC network.

(Refer Slide Time: 18:47)

This structure has the key benefit that the process of multiple DC-AC-DC and AC-DC-
AC conversion will certainly be reduced significantly, because of an individual AC and
DC grid. This structure improves overall efficiency and, reduces the system cost with
reduced number of power converters by connecting sources and loads to the AC and DC
buses with minimized power conversion requirements. Now, slowly let us move in to the
control strategies and power management schemes.
The specified droop control should be independent of line impedances between the
inverter and the common AC-DC bus, for proper load sharing among the AC-DC
sources, a robust energy management system can be employed to maintain optimality
and reliability of the micro grid.

(Refer Slide Time: 21:55)

Now, let us see what are the operating modes of the grid there are two modes as we all
know, one is grid connected the other one is isolated.

(Refer Slide Time: 22:07)

Now, in a grid connected mode the power management strategies can be classified in two
ways, one is dispatched power mode and, the other one is un dispatched output power
mode. Now, let us focus now imagine we have both AC and DC smart grid, or micro
grid in place together and both AC-DC micro grid is now being connected to my utility,
or the main grid.

Now, the power man in a strategy because, as and when the grid needs power, or we
have excess power in your AC-DC smart grid that need to be given to my grid and, when
it is shortage, or deficit then we need to take it from the main grid. Now, during that grid
operation there are two challenges with me here.

Now, the main grid can use that AC-DC micro grid, as a you know component to get
major benefits of it is own voltage control and frequency control mechanism. Let us say
my system is suffering with loads my excess loads. So, I have time shortage of power so,
I can take energy from the AC-DC micro grid. And similarly I am excess frequency and,
I can give back to my micro grid for storage and charging them.

So, that is one way of so, where actually the generations of the AC-DC smart grid can be
controlled, where is in case of un dispatched output power mode, we perhaps feel that we
give all our energy operate all my generators in MPPT mode and, you know whenever
you have excess power you try to feed the grid, you try to feed the grid.

So, the most important is dispatch power mode where you your generators of the AC-
DC, as well as the storage they keep on varying to meet the grid requirement. And in
case of un dispatched output power mode, where you do not do much you fix your
generation at their MPPT mode and, keep on generating and if your loads are less, then
you give to the grid. So, that is what both the methods are very commonly used.

Now, in dispatched power mode the power exchange between the micro grid and the
main grid is dispatched from a higher level control, or optimizing scheme. Whereas, in
case of un dispatched output power mode, the micro grid output power is not dispatched.
(Refer Slide Time: 24:56)

In case of dispatched power mode, the micro grid behaves like a controllable source or
load to the main grid, as I mentioned earlier. All the loads or generators connected to my
AC-DC hybrid micro grid act like a controllable source or a load.

So, that the main grid can provide I know that it can provide the valuable support to the
main grid and, to realize this storage element are invertible means. If you like to vary
your generations as well as load of your AC-DC micro grid, to meet certain requirements
of your main grid, then the storage has to be there, because all the variations because the
discharging and charging of storage can perhaps meet out better requirement of your
main grid.
(Refer Slide Time: 26:09)

Now in case of a dispatched power mode, distributed generators and storage elements
operate on power control mode. The power control can be realized by either current
control, or voltage control. Now, in case of current control mode, which is popularly
used in grid connected operations, distributed generator output current is controlled, in
order to track the reference power and the output voltage and frequency are determined
by the main grid.

Now, let us move to the voltage control mode, in a voltage control mode which can be
used in both grid connected as well as in islanded operation, distributed generators
output voltage is controlled, to regulate it is output power and distributed generators
behave like a synchronous generator to me.
(Refer Slide Time: 27:07)

Now, to produce that dispatched micro grid output power balance schemes within the
micro grid, or used to share dispatched power among input power sources.

For example, renewable energy based distributed generators can work, on their
maximum power point MPP, and other power sources can provide power deficiency
between generations and demand, considering input power sources operating range
response time etcetera. Means to highlight in case of AC-DC micro grid, you can control
your generations, to meet your main grid requirements, or you can operate them in
constant, or MPPT mode to simply cater to the grid, or exchange your energy if it is
excess.
(Refer Slide Time: 28:06)

Now, in case of un dispatched power mode, I mean the generations are not despicable, or
frequently varying, in grid connected un dispatched output power operation mode, all
generated powers are fed to the power grid, whatever the power you generated that all
will be fed to the grid. Distributed generation work on MPPT and storage elements are
typically charged storage elements are typically charged.

So, you generate charge your storage and exchange it to your grid that is what you do,
but in case of a dispatched power mode, where actually you keep on controlling your
generators even within the AC-DC micro grid. So, that the standard so, the voltage
regulation of the main grid can be obtaining and, sometime if you like to vary your loads
within the AC-DC micro grid is also possible.

More over the storage elements can be controlled to smooth distributed generators output
power oscillation, especially for distributed generations with intermitted nature such as
wind and PV systems.
(Refer Slide Time: 29:12)

In grid connected operation mode both in dispatched and un-dispatched power mode, the
micro grid can be used for the grid support. The micro grid will be will be connected to
the main grid as a grid support for example, grid voltage and frequency regulation
means, it is basically supporting the grid.

By controlling active and reactive power delivered to the grid, means the micro grid can
complement to the main grid by controlling it is real and reactive power injection to the
grid. So, the voltage and frequency regulation can be achieved, as desired by the main
grid very important.

This grid support will be included in the dispatched reference micro grid power, in the
dispatched power controlled mode in an un dispatched power mode, the grid support
function will be realized individually through the distributed generators, or storage
elements, or inter linked converters. Now, let us focus on the role of individual devices
in a grid connected mode and that we will discuss during the next lecture.

Thank you.