A review of the distributed generation landscape, key limitations of traditional microgrid concept & possible solution using an enhanced microgrid architecture

This paper briefly discusses the adverse effects of wide-spread distributed generation (DG), the inability of the conventional network structure to incorporate large penetration levels of distributed generation and the need for distributed generation sources to be incorporated into the electricity market. The microgrid concept is evaluated as a potential solution, alleviating the stochastic fluctuations in demand and generation seen by the network. An enhanced microgrid design, one which replaces the conventional static transfer switch with a bidirectional power controller is discussed and the potential gains from such a system are examined and a new network architecture is considered through the hierarchical scaling of the enhanced microgrid design. It is shown that this advanced architecture possesses the advantages of the traditional microgrid, provides additional functionality (dynamic decoupling, controlled energy exchange, hierarchical scaling, etc), facilitates the connection of large penetration levels of DG and enables the incorporation of end-users into the electricity market; two of the largest impediments to the wide-spread uptake of renewable energy.