This book addresses the emerging trend of smart grids in power systems. It discusses the advent of smart grids and selected technical implications; further, by combining the perspectives of researchers from Europe and South America, the book captures the status quo of and approaches to smart grids in a wide range of countries. It describes the basic concepts, enabling readers to understand the theoretical aspects behind smart grid formation, while also examining current challenges and philosophical discussions. Like the industrial revolution and the birth of the Internet, smart grids are certain to change the way people use electricity. In this regard, a new term – the “prosumer” – is used to describe consumers who may sometimes also be energy producers. This is particularly appealing if we bear in mind that most of the distributed power generation in smart grids does not involve carbon emissions. At first glance, the option of generating their own power could move consumers to leave their current energy provider. Yet the authors argue that doing so is not a wise choice: utilities will play a central role in this new scenario and should not be ignored.

The utility sector’s transition to renewable energy and the smart grid has already begun. The first step towards smart grid is microgrid, which is a smaller electricity grid with access to all the essential assets of a larger grid. This book provides a glimpse into an actual microgrid project. It supplies a system-level approach to the design of smart Microgrids, covering the entire design process—from roadmap to realization. Detailing lessons learned and pitfalls to avoid in Microgrid technology, the book provides an interdisciplinary approach to design and problem solving for smart microgrids.

With the growth of renewable energy sources, microgrids have become a key component in the distribution of power to localized areas while connected to the traditional grid or operating in a disconnected island mode. Based on the extensive real-world experience of the authors, this cutting-edge resource provides a basis for the design, installation, and day-by-day management of microgrids. Professionals find coverage of the critical aspects they need to understand, from the initial planning and the selection of the most appropriate technologies and equipment, to optimal management and real-time control. Moreover, this forward-looking book places emphasis on new architectures of the energy systems of the future. Written in accessible language with practical examples, the book explains advanced topics such as optimization algorithms for energy management systems, control issues for both on-grid and island mode, and microgrid protection. Practitioners are also provided with a complete vision for the deployment of the microgrid in smart cities.

Microgrids provide opportunities to develop new electrical networks targeted for the needs of communities. The fourth industrial revolution is associated with the global trend toward decentralizing energy grids. Within this context, microgrids are seen as a solution to how renewable electricity can be supplied to local areas. The Fundamentals of Microgrids: Development and Implementation provides an in-depth examination of microgrid energy sources, applications, technologies, and policies. This book considers the fundamental configurations and applications for microgrids and examines their use as a means of meeting international sustainability goals. It focuses on questions and issues associated with microgrid topologies, development, implementation and regulatory issues. Distributed energy resources are defined, stand-a-lone generation systems are described and examples of typical microgrid configurations are provided. The key components of developing a business model for microgrid development are also considered. Features: Describes what microgrids are and details the basics of how they work while considering benefits of microgrids and their disadvantages. Provides answers to the fundamental questions energy managers and other professionals want to know about the basics of microgrids. Details the applications for microgrids and demystifies the types of microgrid architectures that are successful. Includes real-world examples of functioning microgrids which provide models for the development of microgrids in the future. Discusses the key considerations that must be addressed to develop a business case for microgrid development.

This book is based on the authors' research and microgrid projects since 2009, and is the most up-to-date resource on the development of microgrid technologies. In addition to basic facility and network design concepts, it covers related subjects including power supply programming and energy optimization, which means it can serve as a single volume reference to the complete microgrid system implementation. - Provides a systematic introduction to the basic concepts, key technologies, and practical design methods of microgrids - Covers the theoretical design and implementation of microgrid facilities, including practical operational issues, monitoring and control. The balance of theoretical and applied content will be of real value to engineers who are specifying and design systems in regions with limited experience of microgrid systems - Includes real-life examples and projects to help implement the content effectively

This book offers a detailed guide to the design and simulation of basic control methods applied to microgrids in various operating modes, using MATLAB® Simulink® software. It includes discussions on the performance of each configuration, as well as the advantages and limitations of the droop control method. The content is organised didactically, with a level of mathematical and scientific rigour suitable for undergraduate and graduate programmes, as well as for industry professionals. The use of MATLAB® Simulink® software facilitates the learning process with regard to modelling and simulating power electronic converters at the interface of distributed energy resource (DER) systems. The book also features a wealth of illustrations, schematics, and simulation results. Given its scope, it will greatly benefit undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of electrical and electronics engineering, as well as professionals working in microgrid design and implementation.

In this book the authors first provide a comprehensive survey on the available studies on control, management, and optimization strategies in AC and DC microgrids. The authors then provide the design of a laboratory-scale microgrid system. Finally, a real-world implementation of the deigned framework is provided. This book paves the way for researchers working on the smart microgrids spread over the fields of electrical engineering, power systems, and smart infrastructures. Furthermore, it provides the readers with a comprehensive insight to understand an in-depth big picture of smart microgrids as well as an all-inclusive framework for laboratory-scale implementation of a microgrid. It is suitable for senior undergraduate students, graduate students who are interested in research in areas related to future smart grids and microgrids, and the researchers working in the related areas. This book also can be used as a reference book for researchers who want to develop laboratories on smart microgrids for future research.