Versatile decentralised control of the DC microgrid

Abstract

This study proposes a versatile decentralised control strategy for the direct current (DC) microgrid based on the DC bus signalling method. Performance of the proposed control strategy is investigated under various generation and load disturbances in both grid-connected and islanded operation modes of the DC microgrid. The studies are conducted using a realistic DC microgrid study system simulated in the PSCAD/EMTDC software. The study results indicate that the proposed control strategy: (i) effectively maintains the power balance in the DC microgrid, (ii) effectively limits the DC bus voltage deviations under large disturbances, (iii) improves stability and dynamic response, (iv) does not curtail renewable power generation unless it is necessary, (v) does not require excessively large grid-tied converter and battery energy storage systems, and (vi) enhances system reliability, flexibility, modularity, and expandability.