Development and Implementation of an Interconnection Module for Smart Microgrids

This work discusses the concepts used to implement an interconnection device to serve as an intelligent interface between a conventional low voltage distribution network and an experimental hybrid ac/dc smart microgrid. Details of the proposed interconnection module architecture are presented and its main features such as synchronization, disconnection and reconnection procedures, power quality analysis and electrical protections are described. The module software is embedded onto a ARM processor available in a BeagleBone Black developer platform, which receives sensored signals and acts on a solid state switch depending on the grid interface conditions. The module communicates with a microgrid central controller in a lower priority and to the controller of distributed energy resources in order to enable the re-synchronization procedure. Experimental results showing the implemented module operating during a microgrid disconnection procedure and comparing its measuring performance to a commercially available power quality meter are presented.