A distributed Ethernet-based communication network for actively controlled RETs in hybrid mini-grids

This paper presents a distributed Ethernet-based communication network for actively controlled renewable energy technologies (RETs) in hybrid mini grids (HMGs). In HMGs, two power generation technologies, namely solar photovoltaic (PV) and diesel powered generators are used together, with a view to continuously providing households and customers with their required electric power while reducing dependencies on fossil fuels and benefiting from clean and renewable solar energy. The proposed scheme can be implemented with low-cost and readily available units and modules, and is adaptable to different communications media with different technologies, e.g., the telephone line, fiber optic links, or wireless networks such as WiMax. A framework for network dimensioning and choosing appropriate units and modules that are used in the proposed design is also presented.