Overview

Objectives
The interconnection of small, modular generation sources to low voltage distribution systems can form a new type of power system, the MicroGrid. MicroGrids can be connected to the main power network or be operated autonomously, if they are isolated from the power grid, in a similar manner to the power systems of physical islands. The objectives of the proposal are:

• To increase the penetration of RES and other micro-sources in order to contribute for the reduction of GHG emissions.
• To study the main issues regarding the operation of MicroGrids in parallel with the mains and in islanding conditions that may follow faults;
• To define, develop and demonstrate control strategies that will ensure the most efficient, reliable and economic operation and management of MicroGrids;
• To define appropriate protection and grounding policies that will assure safety of operation and capability of fault detection, isolation and islanded operation;
• To identify the needs and develop the telecommunication infrastructures and communication protocols required
• To determine the economic benefits of the MicroGrid operation and to propose systematic methods and tools to quantify these benefits and to propose appropriate regulatory measures.

Description of the work
The proposed work in 9 Workpackages comprising:

• Study of the design and operation of MicroGrids so that increased penetration of renewable energies and other Micro Sources including, fuel-cells; micro-turbines and CHP emissions will be achieved and CO2 emissions reduced;
• Development and demonstration of control strategies that will ensure the operation and management of MicroGrids is able to meet the customer requirements and technical constraints (regarding voltage and frequency) and is delivering power in the most efficient, reliable and economic way;
• Determination of the economic and environmental benefits of the MicroGrid operation and proposal of systematic methods and tools to quantify these benefits and to propose appropriate regulatory measures;
• Definition of appropriate protection and grounding policies that will assure safety of operation and capability of fault detection, isolation and islanded operation;
• Identification of the needs and development of telecommunication infrastructures and communication protocols required to operate such systems (this investigation should include consideration of the possibility of exploiting the power wires as physical links for communication purposes);
• Simulation and demonstration of MicroGrid operation on laboratory models;
• Projection of MicroGrid development on actual Distribution feeders operating in Greece, Portugal and overseas France quantifying via simulation the environmental, reliability and economic benefits from their operation.

Milestones and expected results
The project will investigate, develop and demonstrate the operation, control, protection, safety and telecommunication infrastructure of MicroGrids and will determine and quantify their economic benefits. Operation and Control concepts in both stand-alone and interconnected mode on Laboratory MicroGrids will be demonstrated. The effect of MicroGrids formation on the increase of RES and other micro sources share (target 15%), on the reduction of annual losses (target 10%), on the increase of reliability levels (target 30%) and on the reduction of energy cost for the end-user (target 10%) will be investigated by simulation on actual distribution systems provided by the participating Utilities.