Review of methods for a hybrid energy system islanding efficient management

Abstract

Nowadays, when a long time problem happens in the electric net (e.g., voltage falls), Hybrid Energy Systems (HES), those which combine wind turbine generators, solar panels, fuel cells, etc. can be disconnected of it to avoid damages. This kind of system can be used, for example, to support the electrical network for distant sites. The aim of the research described in this paper is to study the possibility that the HES, once it has been disconnected, could be able to provide energy to near loads creating a micro-grid (islanding scenario). Furthermore, the DC/AC inverters used by the HES must find a new voltage and frequency reference after disconnection in order not to perturb the generated electrical signal. When in islanding, it is very important to know the characteristics of the loads to assign priorities to each one in order to connect or disconnect them depending on the available energy. The control of that feature is going to be performed by means of Demand Side Management (DSM), using wireless communications and analyzing different options.