In order to overcome the problem of power generation in distributed energy, microgrid(MG) emerges as an alternative scheme. Compared with the ac microgrids, the dc microgrids have the advantages of high system efficiency, good power quality, low cost, and simple control. However, due to the complexity of the distributed generation system, the conventional droop control shows the drawbacks of low current sharing accuracy. Therefore, the improved primary control methods to enhance current sharing accuracy are systematically reviewed, such as particle swarm optimization programming, probabilistic algorithm and voltage correction factor scheme. However, it is difficult to achieve stable and coordinated operation of the dc microgrids by relying on the primary control. Hence, the various secondary control approaches, such as dynamic current sharing scheme, muti-agent system (MAS) control and virtual voltage control methods have been summarized for voltage regulation. Furthermore, the energy management system (EMS), modular-based energy router (MBER) and other coordinated control methods are reviewed to achieve power management. Besides, various control methods to compensate the effect of communication delay are summarized. Moreover, linear matrix inequality (LMI), Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional stability and Takagi-Sugeno model prediction scheme can be adopted to eliminate the influence of communication delay. In addition, due to the constant power loads (CPL) exhibit negative impedance characteristics, which may result in the output oscillation of filter. Thus, various control approaches have been reviewed to match the impedance, such as the nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO) feedforward compensation method, linear programming algorithm, hybrid potential theory and linear system analysis of polyhedral uncertainty. The merits and drawbacks of those control strategies are compared in this paper. Finally, the future research trends of hierarchical control and stability in dc microgrids and dc microgrid clusters are also presented.

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Review of Power Sharing, Voltage Restoration and Stabilization Techniques in Hierarchical Controlled DC Microgrids

Microgrids consisting of photovoltaic (PV) power plants and wind farms have been widely accepted in power systems for reliability enhancement and power loss reduction. Microgrids are capable of providing voltage and frequency support, improving power quality, and achieving proper power-sharing. To achieve such goals and deal with the nonlinear behavior in such systems, appropriate robust control strategies are required to be adopted. This article presents a comprehensive review of robust control methods for microgrids, including AC, DC, and hybrid microgrids, with different topologies and different types of interconnection to conventional power systems based on recently published research studies. The main control objectives, along with proposed control methods, are comparatively discussed for different types of microgrids. Furthermore, several research gaps in this area related to the scalability, robustness assessment, and evaluation approach are discussed. Recommendations are made that can potentially open new research lines to enhance the effectiveness of robust controllers for AC, DC, and hybrid microgrids. 

Robust Control Strategies for Microgrids: A Review

This article presents the design and evaluation of robust controllers, based on linear programming, Kharitonov's theorem and Chebyshev's theorem, in order to enhance the performance of a typical structure of multistage converters present in direct current (dc) systems. In such electric power distribution systems, point-of-load converters act as a constant power load (CPL), which introduces a destabilizing nonlinear effects to their supply bus voltage. The multistage converter system uses a simplified scheme based on a cascaded converter, which is comprised of two dc–dc buck converters in a series connection. The robust controllers evaluated overcome the negative incremental impedance instability problem due to CPL, which causes a high risk of instability in interconnected converters. Thereby, the robust controllers evaluated ensure robust control performance and stability with a minor performance degradation compared to a conventional controller when the cascaded converter system is subjected to parametric uncertainties. The control methodologies evaluated are applied in both dc–dc buck converters. Assessments on the performance of the control methodologies evaluated are conducted. Experimental validations on a 160-W dc–dc cascaded converter system test board are carried out to verify the theoretical claims.

Robust Control of Interconnected Power Electronic Converters to Enhance Performance in DC Distribution Systems: A Case of Study

The proliferation of renewable energy resources to the next level optimizes microgrid utilization to manage the disturbances effectively. A direct current microgrid achieves solicitous attention worldwide due to the development of several DC loads, higher efficiency, and advancement in power electronic devices. The study substantially addresses the merits of DC microgrid over AC microgrid, recent research trends, fault localization, classification, and characterization to understand critical protection aspects. The paper has sought out the elusive protection challenges along with grounding impacts associated with DC microgrid in-depth. It articulates the relationship between the converter performance and peculiar load impact with grid security. Also, it presents a strategy for the safe deployment of renewable energy resources where protection margins are least affected. This article is explicitly reviewed and analyzed the pros and cons of the different protection strategies. The subsequent modifications and analysis of protective and fault current limiting devices are discussed to assist the protection scheme. The comprehensive protection strategy is tightly coupled with its components' security. Therefore this study critically examines the protection techniques for different elements forming the microgrid along with the jurisdiction. Finally, concluding remarks with a complete roadmap for future research are laid out.

DC microgrid protection issues and schemes: A critical review

Currently, high-performance power conversion requirements are of increasing interest in microgrid applications. In fact, isolated bidirectional dc-dc converters are widely used in modern dc distribution systems. The dual active bridge (DAB) dc-dc converter is identified as one of the most promising converter topology for the mentioned applications, due to its benefits of high power density, electrical isolation, bidirectional power flow, zero-voltage switching, and symmetrical structure. This study presents a power management control scheme in order to ensure the power balance of a dc microgrid in stand-alone operation, where the renewable energy source (RES) and the battery energy storage (BES) unit are interfaced by DAB converters. The power management algorithm, as introduced in this work, selects the proper operation of the RES system and BES system, based on load/generation power and state-of-charge of the battery conditions. Moreover, a nonlinear robust control strategy is proposed when the DAB converters are in voltage-mode-control in order to enhance the dynamic performance and robustness of the common dc-bus voltage, in addition to overcoming the instability problems that are caused by constant power loads and the dynamic interactions of power electronic converters. The simulation platform is developed in MATLAB/Simulink, where a photovoltaic system and battery system are selected as the typical RES and BES, respectively. Assessments on the performance of the proposed control scheme are conducted. Comparisons with the other control method are also provided.

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/2/404/pdf

Bidirectional Power Sharing for DC Microgrid Enabled by Dual Active Bridge DC-DC Converter

In recent years, dc microgrid (MG) is increasing rapidly in electric power grids and other isolated systems, integrating more efficiency and suite better some of the renewable energy sources, storage units, and dc loads. However, dc MG stability analysis becomes a challenge when constant power loads (CPLs) are applied to dc bus, which introduces destabilizing effects in the system due to its negative impedance characteristics. This paper presents a novel robust controller, based on linear programming based on the Chebyshev theorem as a robust control technique considering the Kharitonov’s theorem that ensures the minimization of the total deviation from the desired performance in a closed-loop system, specified by a family of characteristic polynomials. The purpose of the proposed controller is to tightly regulate the dc bus voltage, ensuring MG stability due to the effects of power variation on CPLs. The simulation and experimental tests are performed by using a MATLAB/Simulink simulator and a developed prototype of the DC MG system, respectively, to ratify the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed method of robust controller design.

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Kevin Eduardo Lucas-Marcillo

Papers

Novel Robust Methodology for Controller Design Aiming to Ensure DC Microgrid Stability Under CPL Power Variation