WHAT IS A MICRO-GRID?

Dustin J Becker – PSMA

Dr. Alexis Kwasinski - University of Pitt

Special Note – Source Material was provided by Prof. Kwasinski

 Historical Perspective
Competing technologies for electrification in 1880s:
• Edison:
• dc.
• Relatively small power plants (e.g. Pearl Street Station).
• No voltage transformation.
• Short distribution loops – No transmission
• Loads were incandescent lamps and possibly dc motors (traction).

Pearl Street Station:

6 “Jumbo” 100 kW, 110 V
generators

“Eyewitness to dc history” Lobenstein, R.W. Sulzberger, C.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 History
Competing technologies for electrification in 1880s:
•Tesla:
• ac
• Large power plants (e.g. Niagara Falls)
• Voltage transformation.
• Transmission of electricity over long distances
• Loads were incandescent lamps and induction motors.

Niagara Falls historic power plant:

38 x 65,000 kVA, 23 kV, 3-phase
generatods

http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys213/lectures/niagara/niagara.html
© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 History

Edison’s distribution system characteristics: 1880 – 2000 perspective

• Power can only be supplied to nearby loads (< 1mile).

• Many small power stations needed (distributed concept).

• Suitable for incandescent lamps and traction motors only.

• Cannot be transformed into other voltages (lack of flexibility).

• Higher cost than centralized ac system.

• Used inefficient and complicated coal – steam actuated generators (as

oppose to hydroelectric power used by ac centralized systems).

• Not suitable for induction motors.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
History

Traditional technology: the

electric grid:
• Generation, transmission, and
distribution.
• Centralized and passive
architecture.
• Extensive and very complex
system.
• Complicated control.
• Not reliable enough for some
applications.
• Stability issues.
• Vulnerable/fragile.
• Need to balance generation and
demand
• Lack of flexibility.
 History
Conventional grids operation:
• In order to keep frequency within a tight stable operating range generated
power needs to be balanced at all time with consumed power.

• A century working around the need for adding electric energy storage
through grid stiffness by:
• Interconnecting many large power generation units (high inertia =
mechanical energy storage).
• Individual loads power ratings are much smaller than system’s capacity

• Conventional grid “stiffness” make them lack flexibility.

• Lack of flexibility is observed by difficulties in dealing with high penetration of

renewable energy sources (with a variable power output).

• Electric energy storage can be added to conventional grids but in order to

make their effect noticeable at a system level, the necessary energy storage
level needs to be too high to make it economically feasible.
© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 History
Edison’s distribution system characteristics: 2000 – future perspective
• Power supplied to nearby loads is more efficient, reliable and secure than long
power paths involving transmission lines and substations.

• Many small power stations needed (distributed concept).

• Existing grid presents issues with dc loads (e.g., computers) or to operate

induction motors at different speeds. Edison’s system suitable for these loads.

• Power electronics allows for voltages to be transformed (flexibility).

• Cost competitive with centralized ac system.

• Can use renewable and alternative power sources.

• Can integrate energy storage.

• Can combine heat and power generation.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Sustainability
103 1018 Joules

Useful energy

High
polluting
emissions

https://eed.llnl.gov/flow/02flow.php
© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Sustainability
103.4 Exajoules

“New”
renewable
sources

https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/
© A. Kwasinski, 2014 9
 Sustainability

Issues with integration of “new” renewable sources into large

conventional power grids

• Variable output (part stochastic) may lead to potential stability and power
quality issues.

• Large footprint.

• No (or very little) “inertia”

Other issues with renewable sources in general (inc. hydroelectric plants)

• Not usually sufficiently available near load centers (so cost evaluation need to
add construction of transmission lines)

• Ecological issues.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Reliability/Resilience

Conventional U.S. grid

availability in normal
conditions:
Approximately 99.9 %

Availability required in critical

applications:
Approximately 99.999%

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Reliability/Resilience

• Due to their predominately centralized control and power

generation architectures, power grids are very fragile systems in
which little damage may lead to extensive outages.

Maximum power outage incidence Percentage of power grid damage

(O%max) after Ike after Ike
• Information obtained from field damage assessments
© A. Kwasinski, 2014
12
 Reliability/Resilience
• Other weaknesses of power grids observed during natural
disasters
• Very extensive network (long paths and many components).
• Typically, sub-transmission and distribution portions of the grid lack
redundancy. As a result, long restoration times usually originate at the
distribution level of power grids.
• Need for continuous balance of generation and demand.
• Difficulties in integrating meaningful levels of electric energy storage
• Aging infrastructure
• Aging workforce (people is an essential part of infrastructure systems)

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
13
 Reliability/Resilience
• Example of lack of redundancy at sub-transmission/distribution

• Vulnerability: Sub-transmission and distribution portions of the grid lack

redundancy. Most outages originate in distribution-level issues.

• E.g., Only one damaged pole among many undamaged causing most of
Grand Isle to lose power.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
14
 Reliability/Resilience

Example of lack of diversity

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Reliability/Resilience

Example of lack of diversity

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Reliability/Resilience
• Power grids performance during natural disasters
• Case study: Superstorm Sandy
• Often, damage to power grids is less severe than for residences.
• Storm surge damaged some substations in coastal areas

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
17
 Other issues in conventional grids

• Centralized integration of renewable energy issue: generation

profile unbalances.

• Complicated stability control

• The grid lacks operational flexibility because it is a passive

network.

•The grid is old: it has the same 1880s structure. Power plants
average age is > 30 years.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrids: Concept (a first approach)

• Microgrids are independently controlled (small)

electric networks, powered by local units
(distributed generation).

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrid: Concept (newest DOE def.)

• What is a microgrid?
• Microgrids are considered to be locally confined and independently
controlled electric power grids in which a distribution architecture integrates
loads and distributed energy resources—i.e. local distributed generators
and energy storage devices—which allows the microgrid to operate
connected or isolated to a main grid

© A. Kwasinski, 2014 20
 Distributed Generation: Concept
• Key concept for microgrids: independent control.
• This key concept implies that the microgrid has its own power generation
sources (active control vs. passive grid).
• A microgrid may or may not be connected to the main grid.
• DG can be defined as “a subset of distributed resources (DR)” [T. Ackermann, G.
Andersson, and L. Söder, “Distributed generation: A definition.” Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 57, issue 3, pp. 195-204, April 2001] .
• DR are “sources of electric power that are not directly connected to a bulk
power transmission system. DR includes both generators and energy storage
technologies” [T. Ackermann, G. Andersson, and L. Söder, “Distributed generation: A definition.” Electric Power Systems Research,
vol. 57, issue 3, pp. 195-204, April 2001]

• DG “involves the technology of using small-scale power generation

technologies located in close proximity to the load being served” [J. Hall, “The new
distributed generation,” Telephony Online, Oct. 1, 2001 http://telephonyonline.com/mag/telecom_new_distributed_generation/.]

• Thus, microgrids are electric networks utilizing DR to achieve independent

control from a large widespread power grid.
© A. Kwasinski, 2014 21
 Microgrids
• Distributed Generation: Advantages

With respect to the traditional grid, well designed microgrids can be:
• More resilient (with diverse power inputs and in most cases with energy
storage).
• More efficient
• More environmentally friendly
• More flexible
• Less vulnerable
• More modular
• Easier to control
• Immune to issues occurring elsewhere

• Microgrids can be integrated into existing systems without having to interrupt

the load.

• Microgrids allow for combined heat and power (CHP) generation.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014 22
 Microgrids: System Components

Generation units = microsources ( approximately below than 100 kW each)

• PV Modules.
• Small wind generators
• Fuel Cells
• Microturbines

Energy Storage (power profile)

• Batteries
• Ultracapacitors
• Flywheels

Loads
• Electronic loads.
• Plug-in hybrids.
• The main grid.

Power electronics interfaces

• dc-dc converters
• inverters
• rectifiers
© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrid Examples
• Resilient power supply during disasters
• Power electronics-enabled microgrids may be the solution that achieves
resilient power during disasters (e.g. NTT’s microgrid in Sendai, Japan)

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrid Examples
• Isolated microgrids for villages in Alaska.
• Wind is used to supplement diesel generators (diesel is difficult and
expensive to transport in Alaska

• Toksook Bay
•Current Population: 590
•# of Consumers: 175
•Incorporation Type: 2nd Class City
•Total Generating Capacity (kw): 2,018
•1,618 kW diesel
• 400 kW wind
•(tieline to Tununak and
Nightmute)

Information from “Alaska Village

Electric Cooperative”

http://avec.securesites.net/images/communities/Toksook%20Wind%20Tower%20Bulk%20Fuel%20and%20Power%20Plant.JPG

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrid Examples
• Other examples in Alaska Selawik

Kasigluk

http://www.alaskapublic.org/2012/01/18/wind-power-in-alaska/

http://www.akenergyauthority.org/programwindsystem.html

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrid Examples
• This is a proposed microgrid concept in order to use more renewable
sources in wireless communication networks by creating so-called
sustainable wireless areas.
• SWAs are dc (e.g. 380V ) microgrids created by interconnecting a
few (e.g. 7) base stations with, possibly, an advanced power
distribution architecture.
• Renewable energy sources are placed in base stations or nearby
locations where there is sufficient space.
• Resources (power generation and energy
storage) are shared among all base
stations within the SWA.
• Communications traffic and electric energy
management is integrated. I.e., traffic
is regulated (or shaped) based on local
energy resources availability and forecast.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrid Examples
• Kitakyushu smart community (Japan)
• The area has a few 3 kW wind generators.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrid Examples
• Kitakyushu smart community (Japan)
• Hydrogen produced in the industrial area is distributed with a 1.2 km
pipeline for
• 7 x 3 kW Toshiba residential fuel cells,
• 3 kW hydrogen station
• 100 kW fuel cell at a museum.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrid Examples
• Kitakyushu smart community (Japan)
• Residential fuel cells

Deodorant and Fuel Cell Hot water

flow meter storage
© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrid Examples
• Kitakyushu smart community (Japan)
• EV fast charging (and discharging) station + 50 kWh Li-ion batteries.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrid Examples
• Kitakyushu smart community (Japan)

• 300 kWh Lead-acid batteries

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Microgrids
• Application range:
• From a few kW to MW

• Other applications: hospitals, military facilities, buildings, industrial

complex.
© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Smart grids

Smart grids definition:

• Besides being the new buzz word is not a concept but rather many
technologies.

Smart grid focus:

• Reliability.
• Integration of environmentally friendly generation and loads.

Concept evolution:
• “Smart grid 1.0”: Smart meters, limited advanced communications, limited
intelligent loads and operation (e.g. demand response).
• “Smart grid 2.0” or “Energy Internet”: Distributed generation and storage,
intelligent loads, advanced controls and monitoring.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014
 Smart Grids
• A customer-centric view of a power grid includes microgrids as one of
several smart grids technologies.

© A. Kwasinski, 2014 35