1

Dynamic Effects on Isolated or Islanded

Microgrids with R.E.S. (December 2009)
Literature Review by: Daniel Lopez-Paleo

Abstract—This paper presents a literature review focusing on
isolated microgrids and their dynamic stability regarding to
frequency and voltage stability. Energy demands of remote non-
integrated areas can be supplied by the implementation of
renewable and distributed energy resources (DER) to form
autonomous microgrids. This approach can facilitate the
electrification of remote and small communities which nowadays
don’t have a reliable electric system or don’t have one at all.
When renewable energy sources (RES) are involved on islanded
or isolated microgrid, active power is difficult to predict due to
fluctuations in the RES power delivery. To address this issue
various ways of power generation aids are presented such as:
distributed generation, wind turbine, microhydro power plant,
virtual power plant, doubly fed induction wind generator and
super capacitors.
The RES power can reach even zero power at some point
during time, and this is not acceptable by the costumer point
of view where the usage of energy is almost an imperative
necessity.
These power limitations affect the frequency and voltage
stability while operating under islanded condition (i.e.
disconnection form the main grid when a fault occurs). This is
why it has become more attractive to power utility companies
since they can help improve the power quality and supply
flexibility among their customers. On Fig.2. [1], a remote or
isolated microgrid schematic is shown.

Index Terms—distributed generation (DG), energy storage

systems (ESS), microgrids (MG), renewable energy sources
(RES)

I. INTRODUCTION
ODAY, world electricity system is supplied mainly by
T power centrals that burn fossil fuels. However the concern
of cost, resources and environmental issues are making fossil
fuel an unsafe practice. Therefore a decentralization of
generation has been proposed by the introduction of
microgrids. A microgrid can be defined as a group of
generators and loads connected in a single point, where it can
operate grid-connected or in stand-alone mode. Nevertheless,
an autonomous microgrid with distributed generation (DG) Fig.2. Remote Microgrid Architecture (Source: [1])
and renewable energy sources (RES) has its limitations due to
the intermittent nature since their power output depends on the
availability of the primary source, for example (wind, sun, By studying the islanded condition it’s also possible to
etc.). An example of power produced by the RES is shown on create Autonomous Microgrids (AMG) for remote areas where
Fig.1. electricity isn’t available [2]. Likewise the instability of
Power power produced by the RES can be overcome by different
Delivered methods such as: introduction of appropriate dynamic energy
storage (i.e. supercapacitors [3], spinning reserve-flywheels).
Average Value
Looking on into the near future the autonomous microgrid is
becoming more attractive with the implementation of dynamic
improvement using a doubly Fed Induction Wind Generator
[4]. At the same time small scale studies of RES driven
Time (t)
microgrids have been implemented all around the world to
Fig.1. Example of power delivered by RES better understand the advantages and optimal scheduling for
___________________________________________________________ these relatively new resources. For example Virtual Power
D. Lopez-Paleo is with the University of Puerto Rico , Mayaguez Campus, Producer (VPP) [5], is a study being conducted at the
Mayaguez, PR 00680 USA Budapest Tech, which controls the optimal operation of a
(phone: 787-507-7063; e-mail: daniel.lopez3@upr.edu).
wind turbine, photovoltaic panels and a fuel cell.
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As the research on isolated autonomous microgrids covers

more ground, methods of controlling and stabilizing the The converter transfers power in both directions. Also a
system dynamics are created and optimized. Likewise, frequency controller and a battery controller are implemented
according to the World Bank millions of people around the in the design.
world don’t have access to electricity because of their distance
from the main grid [6]. This is why the stable performance of
a remote or islanded MG is so relevant today as the demand
for “green” and stable energy grows.

II. METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING R.E.S. IN ISOLATED

MICROGRIDS
A. Frequency Stability in a residential Autonomous
Micorgrid based on a Wind Turbine and Microhydro
Power Plant [2]

In isolated electrical systems the power should be similar to

that of interconnected systems, because both of them have
consumers with similar energy needs. The situation presented
by Fig.3. consists of a microhydro power plant connected in
parallel to a wind turbine. Fig. 4. MG frequency control solution with ESS and DL (Source: [2])

The main component of this configuration is the frequency

control which can be implemented with a simple PI structure
that estimates the power unbalance between generation and
consumption shown on Fig.5.

Fig. 3. Studied MG configuration (Source: [2])

Fig. 5. DL and ESS power sharing control diagram (Source: [2])

The capability of a power system to sustain its frequency is
given by the inertia constant H. Two conditions were evaluated for this study, a variable
load and a variable generated power due to a variation in win
J * ω m2 speed of the wind turbine, given their dependence on the wind
H= (1) energy. The results of these tests presented in Fig.6. show that
2* S a decrease in the wind turbine power can be corrected by the
ESS because of the frequency controller. In the same way
In an autonomous MG the generator have slow responses load connection and disconnection restores the frequency to its
to changes in load and frequency stability due to low inertia nominal value, but it has peaks which can cause an increasing
constant, because mainly RES are “lightweight machines”. As oscillation in the system or values off the limits predetermined
a proposed configuration for this issue a hybrid solution with a by the system controllers and eventually open the system
dump load (DL) and an energy storage system (ESS) based on protection schemes.
a battery bank as shown on Fig.4. This hybrid solution
ensures a high overall efficiency. The DL consists of three
single phase rectifiers bridges and three transistors, working in
PWM mode. These units are coupled to the MG through a LC
filter. The ESS consists of a voltage source inverter (VSI)
along with an energy storage element connected to the VSI
DC ling through a DC-DC bidirectional converter.

Fig. 6. Experimental Results: Load connection/disconnection (Left) & Decrease in the wind turbine power (right) (Source: [2])
B. Design and Development of a Supercapacitor-Based
Microgrid Dynamic Support System [3]
Other method of ESS is presented in [3] where the dynamic
energy storage system is a three phase supercapacitor bank. In
this particular study a supercapacitor bank is used as a support
system to overcome the dynamics limitations of the 30kW
microturbine. This situation is studied in order to assure
critical load supply during Islanding operation of MG in case
of lack of power from the PV system. A system schematic is
shown on Fig.7.
Fig. 7. Case study diagram (Source [3])
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After selecting the proper sizes of the capacitor banks that
will aid the PV system two conditions are tested: grid
connected and stand-alone or islanded MG. Since the scope of
this paper is guided towards RES-driven islanded MG, we will
focus on these results.
When the microgrid operates under islanded condition, the
support system controls the main parameters of the MG which
are frequency and voltage. During this condition the DC to
DC converter controls the voltage of the DC-Link ( by
absorbing or injecting energy from the supercapacitors) and
the DC to AC converter sets the voltage and frequency of the
MG. At the DC to DC control structure an outer voltage
control loop comes into play, which is implemented by a
proportional controller tuned using frequency response
approach. The results obtained during islanded operation are
shown in Fig.8. and demonstrates the fast acting response of
the output voltage controller, which is an important
characteristic when handling power imbalances in a real
isolated MG.
Fig. 8. MG voltage control of the DC/AC in standalone mode (Source [3])
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Fig. 9. Schematic representation of the proposed control approach (source [4])

Results for an unplanned islanding event are presented on

C. Microgrid Dynamic Performance Improvement using a Fig.10. It is observed that the primary frequency control
Doubly Fed Induction Wind Generator [4] responds quickly restoring the frequency to its nominal value.
Voltage and frequency capabilities are controlled in this Also a better damping performance can be seen from the
study by a doubly fed induction wind generator (DFIG) and DFIG, because after the islanding event detection the primary
the operation mode of interest, as mentioned before is the frequency control leads to an increase in active power
islanded (autonomous) condition. This islanded condition can injection. This action provokes that the synchronous machine
result from many situations but it is vitally important to injects less active power into the MG, resulting in a smoother
compensate the voltage and frequency deviations that the path for frequency stability at nominal value of operation.
system will suffer from that stage. A DFIG can compensate Therefore the RES (wind generator-DFIG) in this case,
for these deviations without the need of large investment in resulted on a great aid system for the synchronous generator in
power electronic hardware. In the DFIG an additional frequency and voltage stability during the islanding event.
frequency and voltage control loop, are proposed in this paper, This proves that is possible for a MG to operate on islanded or
and they are located in the rotor side of the motor as shown on autonomous mode, but for this it will need the addition of an
Fig.9. ESS for energy backup generation, due to the unstable profile
During the islanded condition of the system it’s vital to of RES power output.
apply fast and tunable real and reactive power control to
minimize dynamics effects on the system. Also the system
control should damp out transient power oscillations where no
infinite source of power is available. In this case RES are the
ones available for energy production during the islanded or
autonomous condition. After the islanded event DG1
regulates the voltage, taking as a reference the terminal
voltage and regulating it through the excitation system with an
automatic voltage regulator (AVR). Likewise through a
governor system implemented on a frequency-active power
relation (droop characterized) and a frequency restoration loop
(using an integrator). While DG2-(modeled as a variable-
speed wind turbine with a DFIG) contributes to frequency
control restoration by both q-(quadrant axis) and d-(direct
axis) of rotor currents.
The large blades of the wind turbine give this generator a
large inertia, and this storage of energy gives the wind turbine
the possibility to support the primary frequency for a short
period of time. This characteristic is vital under islanded
conditions and unlike gas turbine power plants, the wind Fig.10. Unplanned Islanding-Frequency Control of DFIG (source [4])
turbine can increase its power output almost instantaneously.

D. VPP Operating in the Isolated Grid [5]
Today a growing tendency for using small isolated power
systems, against a big central generating center has raised
interest when dealing with rural, remote places. Here the main
producers of energy should be the RES (i.e. PV panels, fuel
cells, wind turbines, etc.) combined with high efficiency diesel
generators. In addition ESS increases the ability of power
system quality and fast restoration after an adverse event to
the system’s RES.
The Virtual Power Producers (VPP) are multi-technology
and multi-site heterogeneous entities that optimize the
system’s scheduling. In isolated MG’s VPP can reduce
maintenance and operation costs and increase the efficiency.
Another important characteristic of VPP is the need to control
generation as well as consumption. Since the system is
isolated, sometimes, VPP, has to disconnect some loads to
maintain system’s balance. This happens when the generation
isn’t enough due to variability of RES power generation.
In the Budapest Tech exists a small RES that has a wind
turbine, PV panels and a fuel cell, with ESS as shown in
Fig.11. Likewise other system previously discussed, the
system should be able to maintain frequency between an
acceptable operating range in order to ensure power quality.
The objective of the VPP software is to find an optimal
dispatch, by mixed integer linear programming implemented
in GAMS (General Algebraic Modeling System), for the RES
generating units. Reformulating this problem is to minimize
the total minimal marginal cost for a period of 24 hours. The
constraints of this function would be the RES power output
limits, described more in details in [5].
Fig. 11. Budapest Tech isolated system (source [5])
The results for this small scale MG were robust, since the
software platform (GAMS), used to solve the optimal dispatch
of RES, has a low execution time of problem solving. This
gives the system a faster response time when an adverse event
has taken place. This makes viable for frequency and voltage
controllers to function properly and correct the deviations.
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E. Renewable-Driven Microgrids in Isolated Communities
[6]
In MG’s with autonomous control, the demand is shared
between generators in proportion to their respective ‘droops’
of active and reactive power, just as in traditional power
systems. The main drivers in the implementation of an
autonomous grid are the availability of resources that RES
need to generate power and a robust electrical independency
regarding dynamic response of the system. Having an isolated
completely sustainable MG is a difficult task but as we have
seen is not impossible, Fig.12. shows the difference between
grid-connected and isolated or islanded MG.
Characteristics Grid-Conected Autonomous
Mode of Isolated / Grid
Isolated
Operation Connected
Power
Sustainability of
Quality/Reliability,
Main Drivers remote & rural
enhancements,
areas, efficiency
efficiency & costs
Demand
Response Desirable Critical
Strageties
Use of Energy For responding to
For self-reliance
Storage price signals
Fig. 12. Difference between Grid and Autonomous MG (source [6])
For a maximum penetration of renewable energy sources
(RES), while preserving a stable system dynamics of voltage
and frequency the distributed generation (DG) should be
strategically places for the maximum performance. A multi-
objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) described in [6],
shows how to optimize the scheduling of the RES, ESS and
DG in the isolated MG and where the optimal location of
penetration of the DG would be.
III. CONCLUSION
As demonstrated throughout this literature review the
implementation of Microgrids (MG) has become a growing
and more researched field. In particular for this case the
isolated microgrid has been the primal interest due to the
extent of people living in remote places today. By the
implementation of renewable energy sources (RES) and
energy storage systems (ESS) this scenario becomes a real
possibility. The dynamics deviation in voltage and frequency
can be sustained by these Isolated MG’s if the correct ESS is
designed in combination with fast acting power electronics.
Either using a wind turbine, (DFIG), or ESS (capacitor,
batteries, flywheels, etc.) loop controllers need to compensate
for the change in load demand, or adverse events such as
faults and eventually take frequency and voltage to their
nominal values.
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IV. REFERENCES

[1] "Unlocking the Potential - The Power of Microgrids,"

IEEE Power & Energy, May/June 2008.
[2] C. Marinescu and I. Serban, "Analysis of Frequency
Stability in a Residential Autonomous Microgrid Based on
a Wind Turbine and a Microhydro Power Plant,"
Transilvania University of Brasov, Department of
Electrical Engineering 978-1-4244-4936-1/09.
[3] E. Bilbao, H. Gastañaga, L. Mir, I. Etxeberria, and I. Milo,
"Design and Development of a Supercapacitor-Based
Microgrid Dynamic Support Sytem," Spanish MInisterio
de Ciencia e Innovacion IEEE, 2009.
[4] M. R. Haghifam, S. A. Nabavi-Niaki, M. Mohamadian,
and M. Shahabi, "Microgrid DYnamic Performance
Improvement Using a Doubly Fed Induction Wind
Generator," Tarbiat Modares University IEEE 0885-8969,
2009.
[5] M. Cardoso, P. Kádár, H. Khodr, H. Morais, and Z. A.
Vale, "VPP Operating in the Isolated Grid," Budapest
University of Technology and Economics IEEE, 2008.
[6] R. B. Martínez-Cid, "Renewable-Driven Microgrids in
Isolated Communities," M.S. Thesis, University of Puerto
Rico Mayaguez Campus, Mayaguez, PR, 2009.

V. BIOGRAPHY

Daniel Lopez-Paleo was born on May 17, 1985 in Bayamon,

PR. Daniel Lopez has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from
the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez Campus. Today
he’s a graduate student in the Electrical Engineering
Department at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, PR
and he’s interest are renewable energy sources and the
improvement of the power system by the implementation of
these resources.