system that can support loads all the time including emergency situations such as outages, using storage devices is mandatory. Microgrids The distribution system provides major opportunities for smart grid concepts. One way to approach distribution system problems is to rethinking our distribution system to include the integration of high levels of distributed energy resources, using microgrid concepts. Basic objectives are improved reliability, promote high penetration of renewable sources, dynamic islanding, and improved generation efficiencies through the use of waste heat. Managing significant levels of distributed energy resources (DERs) with a wide and dynamic set of resources and control points can become overwhelming. The best way to manage such a system is to break the distribution system down into small clusters or microgrids, with distributed optimizing controls coordinating microgrids. The Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions (CERTSs) concept views grouped generation and associated loads as a grid resource or a microgrid. The clustered sources and loads can operate in parallel to the grid or as an island. This grid resource can disconnect from the utility during events (i.e., outage, faults, voltage collapses), but may also intentionally disconnect when the quality of power from the grid falls below certain standards[25]. Economic, technology and environmental incentives are changing the face of electricity generation and transmission. Centralized generating facilities are giving way to smaller, more distributed energy resources partially due to the loss of traditional economies of scale. Distributed Energy Resources (DER) encompasses a wide range of prime mover technologies, such as internal combustion (IC) engines, gas turbines, microturbines, photovoltaic systems, fuel cells, wind-power and ac storage. Most emerging technologies such as microturbines, photovoltaic systems, fuel cells and ac storage have an inverter to interface with the electrical distribution system. These emerging technologies have lower emissions and the potential to have lower cost negating traditional economies of scale. The
system that can support loads all the time including emergency situations such as outages, using storage devices is mandatory. Microgrids The distribution system provides major opportunities for smart grid concepts. One way to approach distribution system problems is to rethinking our distribution system to include the integration of high levels of distributed energy resources, using microgrid concepts. Basic objectives are improved reliability, promote high penetration of renewable sources, dynamic islanding, and improved generation efficiencies through the use of waste heat. Managing significant levels of distributed energy resources (DERs) with a wide and dynamic set of resources and control points can become overwhelming. The best way to manage such a system is to break the distribution system down into small clusters or microgrids, with distributed optimizing controls coordinating microgrids. The Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions (CERTSs) concept views grouped generation and associated loads as a grid resource or a microgrid. The clustered sources and loads can operate in parallel to the grid or as an island. This grid resource can disconnect from the utility during events (i.e., outage, faults, voltage collapses), but may also intentionally disconnect when the quality of power from the grid falls below certain standards[25]. Economic, technology and environmental incentives are changing the face of electricity generation and transmission. Centralized generating facilities are giving way to smaller, more distributed energy resources partially due to the loss of traditional economies of scale. Distributed Energy Resources (DER) encompasses a wide range of prime mover technologies, such as internal combustion (IC) engines, gas turbines, microturbines, photovoltaic systems, fuel cells, wind-power and ac storage. Most emerging technologies such as microturbines, photovoltaic systems, fuel cells and ac storage have an inverter to interface with the electrical distribution system. These emerging technologies have lower emissions and the potential to have lower cost negating traditional economies of scale. The
Thesis_Ver_2.2_final.docx