Microgrid Architecture Evaluation for Small and Medium Size Industries

Abstract

AbstractThe content of this paper addresses possible approaches that will eventually allow the development of microgrids for small and medium size industries on a massive scale. Therefore, it addresses in a comprehensive way, the most suitable communication technologies for microgrids in this type of enterprises. Several energy sources that can be implemented in industrial microgrids are also briefly addressed, including generation and storage units frequently adopted for power supply in small scale distribution grids. The overview of communication technologies and energy sources takes into account the financial limitations of small enterprises with the purpose of assisting the study of industrial microgrid architectures. In addition, a case study is presented in order to observe how a centralized and a decentralized deployment of energy sources affect the performance of a small or medium scale industrial microgrid. Since this sector is very important for the development of modern societies, it should make use of the most advanced infrastructures in order to be more sustainable, both environmentally and competitively. The practical limitations applied to industrial microgrids (e.g., lack of standards in the grid codes, some unfit technological performance and amiss system design) shows that the subject presented in this paper deserves much more research and developments. Thus, this work demonstrates the importance of the development of the microgrid for the small and medium-sized enterprises sector.