MICROGRIDS AND ACTIVE DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS

This book contains the latest development technologies in the area of Power Systems. Deals with the deep-rooted linkages between existing and emerging concerns faced by distributed energy resources and their integration.
The conventional power system around the world is facing the problems of gradual depletion of fossil fuel resources, poor energy efficiency and environmental pollution. This has lead to the recent trend of generating power at distribution voltage level from renewable/non-conventional, small scale distributed energy resources (DERs) to culminate the advantages of improved energy efficiency, low emissions, better utilisation of eco-friendly energy sources, augmentation of low capital intensive generation, co-generation and tri-generation. However DERs suffer from the demerits of initial high cost, technical difficulties, absence of regulatory & marketing standards, lack of communication protocols, administrative & legal barriers, intermittent nature of generation etc. which are under extensive research worldwide. Technical development in the field of DERs is also resulting in the formation of 'MicroGrid (MG) & Active Distribution Networks' (ADISNET). These are LV power supply networks comprising integrated DERs, designed to supply power to small community, operating either in synchronism with MV Regional Grid or as stand-alone systems.
MG and ADISNET offer a potential solution for sustainable, energy-efficient power supply to cater for increasing load growth, supplying power to remote areas, generation of clean power and reduction in emission of greenhouse gases & particulates as per Kyoto protocol.