Real time implementation of intelligent reconfiguration algorithm for microgrid

Microgrids with renewable distributed generation and energy storage offers sustainable energy solutions. To maintain the availability of energy to the connected loads and to interrupt the smallest portion of the microgrid under any abnormal conditions, reconfiguration is critical to restore service to a section or to meet some operational requirements. Reconfiguration is the process of modifying the microgrid's topological structure by changing the status (open/close) of circuit breakers or switches. This paper offers novel real time implementation of intelligent algorithm for microgrid reconfiguration. Intelligent algorithm is based on genetic algorithms (GA) and has been tested on two test systems including shipboard power system (SPS) and modified CERTS microgrid. Real time test bed utilizes real time digital simulator (RTDS) and commercial real time controllers from Schweitzer Engineering Lab. Reconfiguration algorithm has been implemented in real time using real time test bed for an example microgrid system and satisfactory results were obtained.