Design and Development of Communication Protocols and Associated Hardware for Microgrid Applications

Abstract

With the growth in technology and the need to get the best and the most efficient, the limitations of conventional/existing power system in terms of transmission losses, low reliability and efficiency with one-way communication have brought the concept of microgrid into mainstream. Microgrid which is a cluster of integrated and inter- connected DER's (Distributed Energy Resources) and loads has it's own well-defined boundary (electrically and physically) and acts as a single controllable load to the main grid. One of the future challenges in this area is establishing control, communication and protection between the sources and utilizing power electronic interfaces to improve the reliability and efficiency, simultaneously reducing losses. Earlier methods like droop control used for determining how active and reactive power is pumped in/out of the system are approximate, slow and unreliable. Hence, it is the need of the hour to have a communication network which is fast, reliable and secure, as it would directly affect the power/energy flow/management. The work compiled in the thesis is about establishing communication assisted fast and reliable microgrid based on hierarchical layered architecture. CAN (Controller Area Network) is used as primary communication, implemented with TMS320F28335 DSP kit for communicating between two micro-sources which are Photovoltaic array (PV) and Fuel Cell (FC). Boost type DC-DC power electronic interface for PV applications and CAN node are designed and developed. CAN communication is used for the two micro-sources operating in parallel for transmitting information, as changing the current references of the micro-sources to obtain power and load balance. CAN provides a direct communication link and achieves the exchange of critical information in a quicker and reliable way. Hence, CAN communication helped in overcoming the loopholes of previous methods and helped in establishing a smarter prototype of microgrid consisting of two micro-sources.