Impact of Microgrids on Service Quality

Abstract

Microgrids comprise low voltage distribution systems with distributed energy sources, such as micro-turbines, fuel cells, PVs, etc., together with storage devices, i.e. flywheels, energy capacitors and batteries, and controllable loads, offering considerable control capabilities over the network operation. These systems are interconnected to the medium voltage distribution network, but they can be also operated isolated from the main grid, in case of faults in the upstream network. One of the key benefits of microgrids is the potential to increase service quality by providing generation redundancy, where most needed. In this paper the effects of microgrids in increasing the service quality are assessed by calculating a set of reliability indices on a typical LV network with and without DG sources connected and coordinated in islanded operation.