Microgrid - Objective

This document is intended to teach students about the operation of a microgrid system, using real-time simulation exercises.
The microgrid can operate in two modes:

• Mode 1: Connected to a main grid utility.
• Mode 2: Isolated from the main grid utility, which leads to islanding operation mode.

First, a description of the studied microgrid is given, helping the student to understand its major components, namely, a 10 kW wind turbine (WT), a Lithium-Ion battery bank of 60 kW, a 12 kW photovoltaic (PV) solar array, and three loads.
The three loads are modeled as follows: a critical load (e.g., hospital), a partially sheddable load via a demand response program, and a residential load that can be fully shed from the microgrid if required.

Next, the simulation panels are presented, with a clear description of the different panels, the control parameters with their respective buttons, and the scopes with their related waveforms.

Finally, different sets of exercises covering the two operation modes are proposed to help students better familiarize themselves with the real-time simulation of the microgrid.
The exercises offer to students the opportunity to compare simulation results to theoretical results.
Moreover, the student will learn about the microgrid controller’s role in ensuring power flow balance under the constraints of variable power generation, different varying loads, and two distinct operation modes of the microgrid.