Balancing act

Abstract

Traditionally, remote, off-grid microgrids have relied on diesel generators to produce electricity. Diesel oil is usually delivered by conventional land or sea transport, which results in transportation costs and a higher cost of electricity for end consumers. But with the environmental benefits and increasing cost-competitiveness of renewable energy, it is now more and more common to find solar photovoltaic and wind power integrated with diesel generators to form a hybrid microgrid. Energy storage devices such as flywheels and lithium-ion battery systems may also be included. Accommodating fluctuations in photovoltaic production and coordinating the operation of the diesel generators, feeder loads, energy storage and grid stabilization devices in response to these fluctuations is a tricky task that requires an advanced control system.