Identification and Analysis of Technical Impacts in the Electric Power System Due to the Integration of Microgrids

Abstract

In a modern and technological world that has a great demand for energy, a versatile energy market, and a renewed electric infrastructure capable of expanding the electric power system under the premise of universal access to electricity, that seeks to minimize the effects of climate change, and that requires an improvement in its reliability, security, and resilience, microgrids are born as one of the systems that have the potential to supply each of these requirements in order to guarantee an adequate decarbonization, decentralization, digitalization, diversification, and democratization of the future grid. However, the integration of microgrids into the electric power system will generate impacts that are currently under study. This paper identifies and analyzes the technical impacts in the electric power system due to the implementation of microgrids, based on what has been recognized in the literature, so that those who have purposes of installation, creation, innovation, and research of microgrids, such as grid operators, technology providers, companies, and researchers, can establish criteria and indicators through which the feasibility of projects involving microgrids can be determined. The concept, importance, and characteristics of microgrids are given, along with a technical justification of the impacts. In addition, technical impacts on some study cases of real microgrids around the globe are identified. Finally, an analysis of the identified technical impacts is offered, and conclusions are drawn.