Understanding Microgrids: Definition & Benefits
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ScribdTranslationsUnderstanding Microgrids: Definition & Benefits
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ScribdTranslationsIntroduction :
Microgrids are experiencing very strong growth around the world, as in
testifies to the decision of the California network manager PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric) to
launch in November 2019 an important contract for the installation of 20 new microgrids
in its service area. This increase is primarily explained by the desire to
to bring electricity production closer to its consumption, to limit investments in
the transport and distribution networks and reduce losses. This is now made
possible through the multiplication of decentralized solar energy production installations,
wind turbines and the development of storage devices. Other reasons contribute
also to this rise of microgrid projects, particularly in the United States and Asia, leaders
in the name of projects around the world, such as the desire to increase resilience of thesystem
electricby making use of the islanding capability offered by microgrids. These microgrids
constitute an optimization model for the electrical network.
I. Definition:
Microgrids are small-scale electrical networks designed to
provide a reliable electricity supply to a small number of consumers. They
aggregating multiple local and dispersed production facilities (micro-turbines, fuel cells
fuel, small diesel generators, photovoltaic panels, mini wind turbines, small
hydraulic), consumption installations, storage installations, and tools of
supervision and demand management. They can be directly connected to a network of
distribution or operate disconnected from the network (islanding). This concept, capable of
concerning different scales of territory (building, neighborhood, industrial or artisanal zone,
The village, etc.) is expanding to district heating and natural gas networks, and can thus be
I thought in a multi-fluid manner.
The concept of microgrids is not new, as the first networks date back to the end of
from the 19thcenturies, were isolated and then gradually aggregated until they created the networks
current nationals, taking advantage of the economies of scale related to large networks. The micro-
grids have been able to evolve and the deployment of Smart grids has expanded their field of application. The
the primary mission of microgrids is an electrification mission, and it is to this extent that they are
considered as an opportunity for the development of certain emerging countries, in
Africa, in particular. If they continue to play this role today, the energy transition
It has also made a vector for the development of decentralized energy production.
Microgrids are energy ecosystems capable of providing responses
concrete to the challenges of the energy transition
The architecture of a microgrid (Source: CRE)
Prince
The operating principle of common bus DC microgrids is illustrated
by the figure below. All system elements are connected to a DC bus by the
bias of electronic power converters. This configuration offers more
flexibility for managing each source, which justifies the choice of this architecture. In order
to ensure energy continuity and to have an energy reserve, a battery is used.
Operating modes
Microgrids can operate in two modes:
Isolated mode: small independent electrical networks that are completely
autonomous either in energy production, by storing it and distributing it to the
end consumers.
Connected mode: Entities that allow for supplying loads, storing energy and
return the excess unused energy to the electrical distribution network.
2. The segmentation of microgrids:
Electric microgrid projects can be classified according to their size, but
also of their usefulness (reliability, resilience and efficiency of networks, difficulty of access to
energy, degraded weather conditions, emergence of eco-districts, multi-reflection
energy, energy savings, etc.) into 5 main categories:
the microgrids of commercial, artisanal or industrial areas: these areas,
highly electricity-consuming, bring together companies and industries to
various activities, whose energy needs are not all the same. It is about addressing them
optimize energy management, particularly so that they are more neutral regarding
of the distribution network;
university campus microgrids: the challenge is to improve energy management
campuses in a context where they must adopt an approach of
sustainable development, as provided for in Article 55 of the "Grenelle 1" law of the 3
August 2009
the microgrids supplying isolated areas not connected to the electrical grids or
temporarily cut off from the network due to unforeseen events (for example, bad weather): the
deployment of micro-grids allows them to exploit energy resources
local renewables and no longer relying solely on polluting diesel groups and
expensive.
eco-districts: they operate more or less on the same model as microgrids
in commercial or industrial areas, but on the scale of urban areas
residential and/or tertiary;
the 'life support' microgrids (military camp or hospital for example): with its
own means of production and storage and its own infrastructure of
distribution, the microgrid ensures energy autonomy providing
electricity during power outages on the distribution network,
essential asset for military bases or hospitals, which cannot allow any
power outages preventing them from fulfilling their missions.
What is a microgrid?
As its name suggests, the microgrid is a smaller version of an electrical grid.
Classic. The energy is supplied directly to a group of users from a
production locale.
A microgrid is therefore a subsystem that is connected to the main grid at only one point.
This connection acts as a switch that allows to 'disconnect' the microgrid.
of the public network. In case of a failure for example, it can temporarily operate in a way
autonomous, in "island".
A microgrid, how does it work?
To function, a microgrid must consist of 3 essential elements:
A local energy production installation to ensure autonomy in case of
disconnection from the public network (photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, cogeneration,
heat pump, biomass power plant, hydroelectric turbine) and, in addition, a system
from backup production (generator). In theory, microgrids can be
completely disconnected from the network. However, in practice, this is not (yet) the
cas ;
2. one storage system: batteries, water reserve for pumping-turbine and in
the future, supercapacitors and chemical storage of latent heat;
3. one intelligent management system to ensure the constant balance between production
and electricity request.
Did you say 'smart management'?
Oh yes! Like thesmart grids, microgrids do not transmit
just energy but also information.
Thanks to this information, these networks can self-manage through computer applications.
automated systems that take into account:
of requests and production;
variable rates depending on the time of day and weather conditions;
of the production capacity of wind turbines, solar panels or power plants
hydraulics.
Depending on the circumstances, these computer applications can thus decide to disconnect.
the microgrid of the general network, to launch thecharging an electric caror at
opposite of retrieving the electricity stored in these batteries.
Their goal of this IT management: to keep the microgrid in balance, to use the energy of
the most efficient way and at the best possible price.
In what cases is a microgrid interesting?
For us, it is obvious, but on Earth not everyone has access to a network.
public electric. In some regions, the network may exist but be faulty. In these
In this case, a microgrid can be useful. Some examples:
Off-grid microgrids
Certain places cannot be connected to a public network due to problems.
economic or their geographical situation. The microgrids that are being developed are
therefore not connected to a macrogrid and operate continuously in isolated mode.
Military microgrids
During military actions, a reliable network is crucial for physical security and
computing. Thanks to microgrids, troops are independent of public networks.
Industrial microgrids
For certain production processes, a disruption in the electricity supply
or a slow start can immediately lead to significant financial losses. There
also, a microgrid can provide a solution.
It should be noted that to be completely reliable, the energy production unit must be
constituted by a rescue group powered by fossil fuels, not really ecological.
And in the city?
In western urban areas, public electrical networks are very dense and
are closely monitored. Given their great reliability, microgrids are so to speak
superfluous.
How to increase the use of renewable energy, then? In particular by resorting to
thecollective self-consumptionproducers and consumers come together in a
local project through an association, a cooperative, a condominium, etc.
The principle is simple. Imagine: you want to produce energy but you are renting a
apartment, you occupy a listed building or your roof is not suitable for panels
solar. You could then form, with other individuals, a cooperative to produce
electricity from panels installed on the roof of a third party, like that
of a school or offices.
Moreover, in Brussels, the network distribution manager Sibelga is studying in
consultation with Brussels Environment the detailed terms of such a
self-consumption.
Conclusion
In total, the microgrid addresses several challenges posed by the energy transition, including the
First is the growth of global electricity demand which, according to the Agency
International Energy Agency (IEA) could translate to more than 40% by 2040. Microgrids
also allow for a reliable and safe integration of renewable energy sources and
therefore contributes to a reduction in CO emissions2related to the combustion of sources
fossils. In some countries, finally, aging electrical networks lack resilience.
in the face of interruptions or instabilities, especially when subjected to uncertainties
severe climate. Microgrid technology allows for a continuous energy supply.
in these situations.
The decentralization of energy represents a major development that could help to
facing the energy challenges of the 21st century. Technological developments and
Economic factors indeed allow for substantial progress in terms of decentralization.
energy incorporating photovoltaic and storage. Microgrids provide a response to
the energy transition and its benefits include energy reliability, energy access,
independence through the penetration of renewables, and the optimization of the bill
energetic
The future of microgrids is difficult to predict as it stands, but it seems possible that we
Let us move towards an era where microgrids will be the rule and not the exception. Studies
prospects show that this future is technically feasible and could be a way
to adopt on a large scale intermittent resources such as solar or wind.
microgrids could thus be one of the cornerstones of the energy transition