Distributed energy resource integration: design, integration and control

Energy independence, climate change, sustainability and increased reliability are considered key drivers for the growing deployment and penetration of distributed energy resources into the electric grid. But when distributed energy resources (DERs) are integrated together and are interconnected with loads within a defined electric boundary, we end up with what the industry calls a microgrid, which is essentially a small-scale power system that is capable of disconnecting and reconnecting to the utility grid. When the utility grid experiences a disturbance, a microgrid can disconnect from the utility grid and island its interconnected loads, thus continuing to provide energy service until the utility grid is back on. A microgrid provides resiliency and reliability to its interconnected loads. In the relatively short history of microgrids, many were built as small research projects. As the cost of DERs continues to decline, as microgrid technologies continue to advance, and as customer expectations for a higher level of resiliency and reliability continue to rise, the need for utilities and policymakers to better understand the functionality and impact of microgrids on the electric distribution grid becomes evident. This thesis discusses in depth the design, integration and control of the most advanced microgrid in North America. The thesis provides a comprehensive review of the engineering studies, analysis and considerations that are key to designing utility-scale microgrids. Furthermore, the thesis dives deep into the control strategies and layers that allow this microgrid to deliver the higher levels of reliability and resiliency that it promises, as well as a whole host of other benefits that can only be achieved when these complex control layers are deployed and properly implemented. The microgrid design was based on well defined use-cases that will be implemented, tested and analyzed in the future, to gain the necessary knowledge and expertise in the overall potential benefits of microgrids. This work provides the electric power community with a vision for the benefits that advanced utility-scale microgrids can bring to the electric grid and to utility customers.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2017

Author dc:creator

• Rousan, Tamer Mohammad

Contributors dc:contributor

• Sauer, Peter W.

• Microgrid
• Distributed energy resources
• Primary control
• Secondary control
• Tertiary control
• Islanded

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2017 Tamer Rousan

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/97643

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/97643