Load Controller and Var Compensator Design for a Micro Grid System

1.      Introductiongenerator has some drawbacks, as it requires reactive
The micro grid system is as shown in the Fig.1.Thepower to improve the voltage regulation. In addition to
recent concept of micro grid system is to group athis induction generator used in micro hydel scheme,
cluster of loads and parallel DG system within a certainconverts all available mechanical energy into electrical
local area. In remote areas when two or more DGsenergy to eliminate the controller for the turbine.
are interconnected formed micro grid system. Micro3.     Micro Hydel Units
grid system can operate in both the grid connectedController on turbine side is avoided to make the
mode or islanding modes.system simple and cost effective. Thus, whenever the
Proper operation of these modes requires theconsumer load is reduced, the surplus generated
implementation of high performance power flowenergy from induction generator must be dumped
control and voltage regulation algorithms [1,2].somewhere else so as to maintain constant voltage
Fig. 1. Micro grid Systemand frequency in the system. These drawbacks can
Three critical components play major roles in thebe overcome by using an electronic load controller and
proper operation of micro grid in both modes [3]. TheyVAR compensator. Already many different types of
areelectronic load controller exist for the stand-alone
· Local micro source controllersystem. When several induction generators involve in a
· System optimizermicro grid system, reactive power compensation
· Distribution protectionrequired by these generator become more significant
2.      Plant Designand high performance power flow control and voltage
Micro source controller is an important component ofregulation algorithms are required.
the micro grid system. It provides a basic control ofFig.2 Micro Hydel units for stand alone
real and reactive power using droop characteristics. AllSystem
the sources are connected to the point of commonOn the other hand consumer load is fluctuating and
coupling (PCC) after dc voltage sources arevaries continuously. This type of load can be named
converted to an acceptable ac sources using voltageas uncontrolled load. Whenever micro grid system is
source inverter (fig.1). Energy manager provides theoperating in an islanding mode the unbalanced surplus
system optimization. Energy manager uses theelectrical energy must be dumped to maintain the input
information on local load needs, power qualityessentially constant. This can be achieving by using
requirement, demand side management request etc toload controller, which diverts the surplus energy to
determine the amount of power that micro grid shoulddump load placed parallel to uncontrolled load.
draw from the main grid. Based on the information itReferences
receives, some of its key functions are to provide the[1] S. S. Murthy, R. Jose, and B. Singh, "Experience in the
individual power and voltage set points for each microdevelopment of microhydel grid independent power
source controller, provides logic and control for islandinggeneration scheme using induction generators for
and reconnecting the micro grid during events.Indian conditions," presented at TENCON '98. 1998 IEEE
Protection is necessary in the event of fault in theRegion 10 International Conference on Global
micro grid system. If the fault occurs in the main gridConnectivity in Energy, Computer, Communication and
then it should be isolated from the main grid as rapidlyControl, 1998.
as possible. If the fault occurs within the micro grid[2] Y. Li, D. M. Vilathgamuwa, and P. C. Loh, "Design,
system the protection coordinate should isolated theanalysis, and realtime testing of a controller for multibus
smallest possible section of the feeder to eliminate themicrogrid system," Power Electronics, IEEE
fault.Transactions on, vol. 19, pp. 1195-1204, 2004.
Induction motor is used as an induction generator when[3] R. H. Lasseter, "MicroGrids," presented at Power
electricity is generated from micro hydel units (fig. 2) orEngineering Society Winter Meeting, 2002. IEEE, 2002.
from wind turbines. Induction generators have many[4] B.Palle,M.G.Simoes, “Dynamic Simulation and
advantages over synchronous generator such asAnalysis of Parallel Self-Excited Induction Generators
ruggedness, less maintenance requirements, absencefor Islanded Wind Farm Systems,” Industry
of dc excitation and inherent short circuit protectionApplications, IEEE
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conversion schemes. On the other hand an induction