Design and Assessment of Unified Multi-Input Multi-Output Converter Based Islanded Microgrid for Rural and Remote Areas

Abstract

Abstract—This paper addresses an islanded microgrid (MG) for rural and remote areas (RRAs) that aims to provide reliable electricity, considering the challenges posed by geographical constraints on solar power generation. Solutions and development for specific applications in RRA, can’t form MG to fulfill all needs of RRA at once because their integration creates circulating currents, power losses & compromised power quality. To overcome this, a robust, techno-economical, low-maintenance all-in-one single-synchronized compact solution has been introduced for establishing and upgrading existing islanded MGs for RRA. The proposed solution is Unified Multi-Input Multi-Output (U-MIMO) based islanded MG (MMG), designed to support multi-location PV arrays catering to various loads. It has three-phase four-wire system, battery management system (BMS) and supports DC load/E-Vehicles. The objectives are to enhance the utilization of solar power, enable controllability of power generation & daily load demands and facilitate ease of implementation. The experimental results demonstrate that U-MIMO is effectively compatible with all types of loads (AC/DC), allowing the integration of PV arrays across multiple locations even in unbalanced irradiance conditions while maintaining the total harmonic distortion (THD) below 5%. This showcases the versatility and reliability of the proposed U-MIMO-based MMG for sustainable electricity generation in RRA.

Keywords:

• Unified Multi-Input Multi-Output (U-MIMO) converter
• rural
• remote areas
• islanded microgrid
• solar
• power quality
• renewable energy resources (RES)
• multi-location
• load topology

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and my ethical obligation as a researcher, I am reporting that I have no financial and/or business interests in any company that may be affected by the research reported in the enclosed paper. I have disclosed those interests fully to Taylor & Francis. No potential competing interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Akash Deep Verma

Akash Deep Verma is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at Netaji Subhas University of Technology, New Delhi. He is GATE qualified and serving as Teaching-cum-Research Fellow (TRF) in the Department of Instrumentation and Control Engineering, NSUT. He completed his Integrated Dual Degree B.Tech and M.Tech in Electrical Engineering and Instrumentation and Control Systems respectively from Gautam Buddha Engineering, Gautam Buddha Nagar in 2016. His research interest is in the Operation & Control, Power Quality, and Renewable Energy based Rural Electrification & Management.

Anuradha Tomar

Anuradha Tomar has 12 years of experience in research and academics. She is currently working as Assistant Professor in Instrumentation & Control Engineering Division of Netaji Subhas University, Delhi, India. She has completed her Postdoctoral research in Electrical Energy Systems Group, from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), the Netherlands and has successfully completed European Commission’s Horizon 2020, UNITED GRID and UNICORN TKI Urban Research projects. She has received her B.E Degree in Electronics Instrumentation & Control in 2007 from University of Rajasthan, M.Tech Degree in Power System from National Institute of Technology Hamirpur in 2009 and Ph. D in Electrical Engineering, from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD). Her areas of research interest are Operation & Control of Microgrids, Photovoltaic Systems, Renewable Energy based Rural Electrification, Congestion Management in LV Distribution Systems, Artificial Intelligent & Machine Learning Applications in Power System, Energy conservation and Automation. She has also filled seven Indian patents on her name.

Prerna Gaur

Prerna Gaur has 6 years of Industrial and 29 years of Academic research experience. She is currently working as Director at Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) West Campus, Director & Member Secretary of Incubation and Innovation Foundation at NUST since 2016, Chair Elect IEEE India Council and Branch counselor of IEEE Student Branch of NSUT. She has completed B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from G.B. Pant University of Technology and Agriculture, Pantnagar in 1988, M.Tech from Delhi College of Engineering in 1996 and Ph.D. from Delhi University in in the field of Artificial Intelligence and control. Her area of Interest is Renewable Energy, Power Electronics, Power Quality, Artificial Intelligent based Control and Electric Drive. She has more than 170 research papers in International Journals and IEEE Conferences, guided more than 200 B.Tech, M.Tech and 13 Ph.D. students and currently Guiding 03 PhD students.