A review of emerging design concepts in applied microgrid technology

Abstract

Most of the research in distributed generation focuses on power flow optimization and control algorithm development and related fields. However, microgrids are evolving on multiple levels with respect to the chemical processes used to manufacture the underlying technologies, deployment strategies, physical architecture (which is important to the economic factor) as well as environmental impact mitigation of microgrids. Special use cases and paradigms of deploying Distributed Generation (DG) in harmony with agricultural or decorative purposes for existing spaces are emerging, propelled by research in frontiers that the DG engineer would benefit from being aware of. Also, offshore photovoltaic (PV) has emerged as an increasingly important research area. Many nascent technologies and concepts have not been techno-economically analyzed to determine and optimize their benefits. These provide ample research opportunities from a big-picture perspective regarding microgrid development. This also provides the avenue for research in distributed generation from a physical integration and space use perspective. This study reviews a selection of developments in microgrid technology with the themes of manufacturing technology, optimal deployment techniques in physical spaces, and impact mitigation approaches to the deployment of renewable energy from a qualitative perspective.

Keywords

• microgrid
• solar tree
• agrophotovoltaics
• distributed generation
• mitigation strategies
• renewable energy resources