An extensive review on energy management system for microgrids

ABSTRACT

Microgrids, a scaled-down version of utility grids, are gaining attention in the last decades. The distinct features of microgrids such as the utilization of renewable energy resources and elimination of power transmission requirements made them an inevitable area of research in the power sector. The intermittent nature of the distributed generation resources and the need for improvising the economic feasibility of the microgrid made the energy management of microgrids as an inexorable research paradigm. Using recent literature, the Energy Management Systems (EMS) developed for microgrids is reviewed based on the aspects of EMS and the optimization techniques used in the EMS framework. An extensive analysis of literature on microgrid EMS based on four categorizations, namely, the optimization techniques used, type of grid considered, mode of microgrid operation (grid-connected or islanded), and software/solvers used as a platform for solving the EMS problems, is presented. The components of the microgrid test system considered such as energy resources and storage systems are also reviewed later. The meta-heuristic methods are found to be the mostly used (nearly 33% of literature) optimization technique. The objective of the optimization model majorly focusses on cost minimization (approx. 62% of literature) and is of multi-objective nature. For the purpose of distributed generation, the Photovoltaics (PV) (approx. 27%) and Wind turbine (WT) (approx. 19.5%) is the most preferred source whilst batteries (approx. 67%) are the most preferred for storing energy. This article addresses the methods and effective prospects to achieve energy management objectives of the microgrid and concludes with futuristic insights.

KEYWORDS:

• Microgrids
• energy management
• microgrid architecture
• EMS optimization techniques
• renewable energy sources

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Albert Paul Arunkumar

Albert Paul Arunkumar received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and the master’s degree in Power Systems Engineering during the year 2017 and 2020 from Anna University, Chennai. Currently, he is working towards the Ph. D degree in Electrical Engineering at SRM University, Chennai, in the area of Microgrid Energy Management Systems. His areas of interest include Microgrids, renewable energy systems, energy management systems, and deregulated power systems.

Selvakumar Kuppusamy

Selvakumar Kuppusamy received his B.E degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, India in the year 2010. He obtained his M.E degree in Power Systems in the year 2012 from K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology under Anna University, Chennai, India and Ph.d, in SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai. He is currently working as a Assistant Professor in the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India. He has published 75 research papers in international journals. He has presented 20 papers in international conferences. His research interests are generation scheduling, power system operation, power flow analysis, and soft computing techniques in microgrids. He is life member of ISTE, MIE, IAENG, IACSIT, IRED, and member of IEEE.

Suresh Muthusamy

Suresh Muthusamy received the bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and the master’s degree in Power Electronics and Drives during the year 2009 and 2011 from Anna University, Chennai and Anna University, Coimbatore, respectively. Currently, he is working toward the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering at Anna University, Chennai, in the area of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems. Since 2011, he has been working as an Assistant Professor Senior Grade in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Kongu Engineering College (Autonomous), Perundurai, Erode. He published more than 75 research articles in the reputed international journal publications like Elsevier, Springer, Taylor & Francis, SAGE, ASME, etc. & indexed in SCI, SCIE, Scopus, and Web of Science with good impact factor and also presented many papers in national and international conferences. His areas of interest include hybrid renewable energy systems, power electronic converters, hybrid electric vehicles, and battery management systems.

Santhiya Pandiyan

Santhiya Pandiyan received the bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering and the master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering during the year 2013 and 2015 from Anna University, Coimbatore and Anna University, Chennai, respectively. Currently, she is working toward the Ph.D. degree in Computer Science and Engineering at Anna University, Chennai, in the area of Machine Learning. She worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Paavai Engineering College (Autonomous), Namakkal from 2016 to 2021 for a period of about 5 years 7 months. Since August 2021, she has been working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Kongu Engineering College (Autonomous), Perundurai, Erode. She published eight research articles in various international journal publications like Taylor & Francis, Elsevier, etc. and presented four papers in national/international conferences. Her areas of interest include machine learning, deep learning, Internet of things, data structures, etc.

Hitesh Panchal

Hitesh Panchal received the bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Government Engineering College, Modasa, Gujarat during the year 2004 and the master’s degree in Internal Combustion Engines and Automobile from L.D. College of Engineering, Ahmedabad, Gujarat during the year 2006. He then received the Ph.D degree in Mechanical Engineering in the area of Solar Thermal Engineering from K.S.V. University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat in 2015. Dr. Panchal has published more than 150 research articles in reputed National and International Journal publications like Taylor and Francis, Springer, Elsevier, ASME, SAGE, etc. and also received 5000+ Google Scholar citations with h-index of 47 and i-10 index of 113. Dr.Panchal received many prestigious awards like Best Ph.D Thesis Award, Bharat Excellence Award, Young Scientist Award, Bright Researchers Award, and many more from various organizations. Dr.Panchal has completed two Research projects from GUJCOST, DST of 15 lakhs and currently working on one Research project from DTE. Dr.Panchal has filed 24 full patents and 10 Industrial designs and among them two patents and seven industrial designs have been granted. Dr.Panchal has been selected in “Top 2% Indian Scientist under the energy category” published by Stanford University for the years 2020 and 2021.

Pragash Nagaiyan

Pragash Nagaiyan received the bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Anna university, Chennai and the master’s degree in Optical Communication & Signal Processing and currently he is working toward the Ph.D. degree in Information and Communication Engineering at Anna University, Chennai in the area of digital communication. Since 2015, he has been working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Kongu Engineering College (Autonomous), Perundurai, Erode. He published four research articles in the reputed international journal publications and presented two papers in international conferences. His areas of interest include optical communication, signal processing, antennas, etc.