Modelling of a renewable energy‐based AC interconnected rural microgrid system for the provision of uninterrupted power supply

Abstract

Abstract A stability study of interconnected microgrids is presented herein. This interconnection is vital to enhance the performance under dynamic conditions by providing mutual power support. The microgrids considered are based on three renewable energy sources, namely wind, solar, and biogas. The wind energy converting system (WECS) considered has a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) for conversion to electrical energy. A solar photovoltaic system (SPVS) with appropriate inverter has been incorporated. These two renewable energy sources are intermittent in nature. A biogas genset (BG) consisting of a biogas engine coupled with a synchronous generator is the third power source. The interconnection is by an AC line. Two interconnected microgrids, M1 and M2, are considered for mathematical modelling. Additionally, the microgrid M2 is also connected to the main grid for a limited but continuous power supply. Proportional integral (PI) controllers are used to control the frequency and voltage of the microgrids. Simulation studies are conducted on the system under step load disturbances and also for step changes in input power of wind/solar. It has been found that frequency and voltage deviations of the microgrids vanish under steady‐state conditions.

Keywords

• biofuel
• distributed power generation
• permanent magnet generators
• photovoltaic power systems
• PI control
• power system interconnection