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Towards Intelligent, Reliable and Flexible Stand-Alone Microgrids

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A1: Smart Grids and Microgrids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2023) | Viewed by 14809

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Electrical Engineering Department, Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10100, Morocco
Interests: power systems; control and optimization of renewable energy; integration of wind power and photovoltaic system; microgrid and smartgrid

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, there are still villages located in remote locations of developing countries and isolated islands around the world that are not electrified. Indeed, extending the grid to those regions is either unfeasible or uneconomic, due to higher energy costs and power losses. Traditionally, diesel generators are used to power supply the remote and isolated areas. However, there are many issues, such as environmental pollution, shortage in fossil fuel, huge cost of kWh, transportation costs and mediocre diesel generator efficiency under low power demand. 

The solution to tackle these problems is to install renewable energy systems. However, the key challenges faced by modern standalone microgrid are (1) the intermittency of renewable energy. To cope with this variability, photovoltaic, wind or hydro systems must be combined with energy storage systems to provide flexibility and ancillary services; (2) the impact of high penetration of inverter based renewable resources (IBRR) on the reliability and stability; (3) the hybridization of energy resources suggests multiplication of technologies in single entity, which increases the system complexity.

As microgrids evolve in terms of scalability, complexity and requirements, this Special Issue aims to highlight and disseminate the latest practices, approaches, technologies and solutions related to the optimisation, control, stability, management, reliability, diagnosis and security of stand-alone microgrid. Both original research and review articles are welcome.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to:

  • Optimal design and sizing of stand-alone microgrids.
  • Modeling and analysis of AC and DC autonomous microgrids.
  • Advanced control techniques for voltage and frequency regulation.
  • Nonlinear control for IBRR.
  • Robust control strategies based stability.
  • Flexibility enhancement via integration of energy storage systems.
  • Artificial computational methods for optimal energy harvesting.
  • Emerging algorithms, software and analytics.
  • Load forecasting techniques and demand side management.
  • Artificial intelligence for power management.
  • Protection and power quality strategies for reliable stand-alone microgrids.
  • Energy management strategies for collaborative stand-alone microgrids.
  • Fault tolerant control and fault diagnosis.
  • Case study and novel applications in stand-alone microgrids.

Prof. Dr. Mohammed Ouassaid
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • AC stand-alone microgrid
  • DC stand-alone microgrid
  • energy storage
  • energy system management
  • protection
  • fault diagnosis
  • voltage stability
  • frequency regulation
  • nonlinear control
  • artificial intelligence
  • collaborative microgrid
  • demand side management
  • optimization algorithms
  • advanced and robust controllers
  • fault tolerant control

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 5308 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Primary Frequency Control Using Model Predictive Control in Large-Islanded Power Grids with High Penetration of DFIG-Based Wind Farm
by Youssef Ait Ali, Mohammed Ouassaid, Zineb Cabrane and Soo-Hyoung Lee
Energies 2023, 16(11), 4389; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114389 - 29 May 2023
Viewed by 1280
Abstract
A new primary frequency controller in power grids undergoing massive wind power penetration is the focus of this paper. The inescapable problem in a largely wind penetrated power grid is to ensure the maintenance of its frequency in the nominal band prescribed by [...] Read more.
A new primary frequency controller in power grids undergoing massive wind power penetration is the focus of this paper. The inescapable problem in a largely wind penetrated power grid is to ensure the maintenance of its frequency in the nominal band prescribed by the power system operator (PSO). However, with the massive arrival of wind farms with conventional control schemes, the operation of maintaining and restoring the frequency to the regulatory regimes remains very complicated. In order to overcome the above problem, this paper proposes a new strategy for primary frequency control in power grids using model predictive control (MPC) for a multi-cluster doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind farm (WF), with a main objective of reducing the frequency nadir (FN), eliminating the second frequency dip (SFD), and providing the optimal support during wind speed variations. In this approach, a rolling prediction and optimization control strategy is developed based on the dynamic power system model to ideally predict the additional power to be provided. Moreover, in order to avoid second frequency dips, the wind turbines (WTs) are not allocated to extract additional power from the grid during the frequency event, the rotor speeds are not recovered to the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) operating points during the primary frequency control. The performance of the proposed controller was evaluated using a two-zone electrical system in MATLAB/Simulink®. The obtained results disclose that the frequency nadir is enhanced with more than 6.1% compared to the conventional schemes. In addition, the frequency response settling time has been improved with more than 10.51 s. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Intelligent, Reliable and Flexible Stand-Alone Microgrids)
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22 pages, 1149 KiB  
Article
Optimal Cooperative Power Management Framework for Smart Buildings Using Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Modes
by Rajaa Naji EL idrissi, Mohammed Ouassaid, Mohamed Maaroufi, Zineb Cabrane and Jonghoon Kim
Energies 2023, 16(5), 2315; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16052315 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1490
Abstract
The high potential for implementing demand management approaches across multiple objectives has been significantly enhanced. This study proposes a cooperative energy management strategy based on the end-user sharing of energy. The proposed method promotes the intelligent charging and discharging of EVs to achieve [...] Read more.
The high potential for implementing demand management approaches across multiple objectives has been significantly enhanced. This study proposes a cooperative energy management strategy based on the end-user sharing of energy. The proposed method promotes the intelligent charging and discharging of EVs to achieve vehicle-to-anything (V2X) and anything-to-vehicle (X2V) operating modes for both integrated and nonrenewable residential applications. These sharing modes have already been discussed, but resolution approaches are applicable to a specific use case. Other application cases may require additional metrics to plan the fleet of electric vehicles. To avoid that problem, this study proposes the MIP method using a robust Gurobi optimiser based on a generic framework for cooperative power management (CPM). Moreover, the CPM ensures an overall target state of charge (SoC) at leaving time for all the vehicles without generating a rebound peak in total grid power, even without introducing photovoltaic power. Two different methods are proposed based on the flow direction of the EV power. The first method only includes the one-way power flow, while the second increases the two-way power flow between vehicles, operating in vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-loads modes. A thorough analysis of the findings of the proposed model was conducted to demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the charging and discharging schedule of several EVs, favouring a sharing economy concept, reducing peak power, and increasing user comfort. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Intelligent, Reliable and Flexible Stand-Alone Microgrids)
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21 pages, 9951 KiB  
Article
Real-Time Fuzzy Logic Based Energy Management System for Microgrid Using Hardware in the Loop
by Abdallah El Zerk and Mohammed Ouassaid
Energies 2023, 16(5), 2244; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16052244 - 26 Feb 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1889
Abstract
This research presents a hierarchical energy management strategy for isolated microgrids (MG). The strategy’s objectives are achieved through a master-slave topology where local controllers are managed and controlled through a central controller. This can provide many technical advantages, particularly regarding the microgrid’s performance [...] Read more.
This research presents a hierarchical energy management strategy for isolated microgrids (MG). The strategy’s objectives are achieved through a master-slave topology where local controllers are managed and controlled through a central controller. This can provide many technical advantages, particularly regarding the microgrid’s performance and the supply of energy. The local controller is designed to meet the local objectives of the microgrid, such as stabilization of DC voltage and maximization of sources’ extracted power. The objectives of the central controller are achieved through a centralized approach based on fuzzy logic to preserve battery life and manage the energy balance between generation and consumption. The microgrid’s performances were investigated under a steady-state and faulty regime. A Hardware in the Loop (HIL) test based on the Simulink platform is established by RT-LAB real-time simulator. Results are presented to validate the proposed hierarchical control. The OP1400 test bench, based on the OP4150 digital simulator, is utilized to test and validate the proposed hierarchical control strategy. The results are compared to international standards IEEE 1547 and IEC 61727, which demonstrate excellent consistency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Intelligent, Reliable and Flexible Stand-Alone Microgrids)
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35 pages, 22918 KiB  
Article
A MIMO–ANFIS-Controlled Solar-Fuel-Cell-Based Switched Capacitor Z-Source Converter for an Off-Board EV Charger
by Umashankar Subramaniam, Kuluru Sudarsana Reddy, Deepa Kaliyaperumal, Vudithyala Sailaja, Pedada Bhargavi and Seedarala Likhith
Energies 2023, 16(4), 1693; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16041693 - 8 Feb 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1585
Abstract
The efficiency of a nation’s progress is determined by a variety of factors; however, transportation plays a critical role in boosting progress because it facilitates trade and communication between countries. The majority of transportation is powered by fossil fuels such as gasoline or [...] Read more.
The efficiency of a nation’s progress is determined by a variety of factors; however, transportation plays a critical role in boosting progress because it facilitates trade and communication between countries. The majority of transportation is powered by fossil fuels such as gasoline or diesel, which will be depleted in less than 50 years. Another option is to operate transportation systems after replacing conventional vehicles with electric vehicles (EV). Powering these vehicles with green electricity contributes zero carbon emissions from production to the final product. Together with the controller, an efficient charger ensures that the entire system is reliable and stable. The current work focuses on charging an off-board EV from greener energy sources (both a fuel cell and PV array forming a micro-grid) based on their availability via an efficient converter controlled by an adaptive multi-objective controller. A novel multi-output-based adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) controller for charging the off-board EV at a constant current and voltage for both line and load regulations is proposed, in the current work. A comparison study of grid partitioning and subtractive clustering was conducted in order to select an optimized algorithm for generating FIS. Novelty is achieved by ensuring closed-loop stability is the main aim of the work. The entire work was created with the MATLAB/Simulink software. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Intelligent, Reliable and Flexible Stand-Alone Microgrids)
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16 pages, 4199 KiB  
Article
De-Loaded Technique Enhanced by Fuzzy Logic Controller to Improve the Resilience of Microgrids Based on Wind Energy and Energy Storage Systems
by Assia Mahrouch, Mohammed Ouassaid, Zineb Cabrane and Soo Hyoung Lee
Energies 2023, 16(1), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010291 - 27 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1970
Abstract
Wind turbine generators (WTGs) are highly sensitive to the disturbances of the grid and tend to disconnect quickly during a voltage dip (when the voltage value is less than 80% of the nominal voltage) or when the frequency is greatly changed. As an [...] Read more.
Wind turbine generators (WTGs) are highly sensitive to the disturbances of the grid and tend to disconnect quickly during a voltage dip (when the voltage value is less than 80% of the nominal voltage) or when the frequency is greatly changed. As an increasing number of permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs) are incorporated into the modern power grid, system operators expect PMSG-WT to play an active role in low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) and primary frequency regulation (PFR). Consequently, PMSG-WTs must be capable of supplying additional active power in response to changes in system voltage and frequency. In this context, a new de-loaded technique enhanced by a fuzzy-logic controller is suggested to develop the PMSG-pitch angle control (PMSG-PAC). The studied MG consists of a wind farm (WF), variable load, and a battery energy storage system (BESS). The WF contains five PMSG-WTs which are considered to be the principal resource. The proposed DT-FLC ensures maximum aerodynamic reserve power for the plant, enhances its capability to regulate the PAC, adjusts the WTG drop in response to the wind speed, and increases the resilience of the PMSG-WT in the presence of low voltage. Moreover, the PFR is significantly improved in terms of controlling the PAC (−0.0007 Hz) which meets the frequency maximum droop recommended by the IEEE Std 1547-2018 and the Moroccan grid code, −3 Hz and −2.5 Hz, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Intelligent, Reliable and Flexible Stand-Alone Microgrids)
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Review

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21 pages, 11954 KiB  
Review
Overview of Integration of Power Electronic Topologies and Advanced Control Techniques of Ultra-Fast EV Charging Stations in Standalone Microgrids
by Achraf Saadaoui, Mohammed Ouassaid and Mohamed Maaroufi
Energies 2023, 16(3), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16031031 - 17 Jan 2023
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5308
Abstract
For longer journeys, when drivers of electric vehicles need a charge on the road, the best solution is off-board ultra-fast chargers, which offer a short charging time for electric vehicle batteries. Consequently, the ultra-fast charging of batteries is a major issue in electric [...] Read more.
For longer journeys, when drivers of electric vehicles need a charge on the road, the best solution is off-board ultra-fast chargers, which offer a short charging time for electric vehicle batteries. Consequently, the ultra-fast charging of batteries is a major issue in electric mobility development globally. Current research in the area of power electronics for electric vehicle charging applications is focused on new high-power chargers. These chargers will significantly increase the charging power of electric vehicles, which will reduce the charging time. Furthermore, electric vehicles can be deployed to achieve improved efficiency and high-quality power if vehicle to microgrid (V2µG) is applied. In this paper, standards for ultra-fast charging stations and types of fast charging methods are reviewed. Various power electronic topologies, the modular design approach used in ultra-fast charging, and integration of the latter into standalone microgrids are also discussed in this paper. Finally, advanced control techniques for ultra-fast chargers are addressed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Intelligent, Reliable and Flexible Stand-Alone Microgrids)
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