Hybrid Micro Grid Architectures and Challenges

The distribution system is part of the electric power system that links the bulk transmission system and the individual customers. Increasing environmental concerns, consumer expectations in terms of reliability & better quality of power supply and improving economics of distributed energy resources (DER) based on renewable, is making Micro Grid a viable proposition. Present electrical distribution system offers many technical & operational glitches for successful integration of Micro Grid Technologies. Modern Power systems are smart, interconnected, interdependent, load sharing and phased mission systems. Micro grids are composed by distributed generators, energy storage devices, intelligent circuit breakers and local loads. In this paper, a review of the main micro grid architectures proposed in the literature has been carried out. The micro grid architectures are first classified regarding their AC or DC distribution buses. Besides, more complex micro grid architectures will be discussed. Both advantages and disadvantages of each one of the micro grid families will be discussed.