Microgrid Architectures for Distributed Generation: A Brief Review

The emerging potential of distributed generation (DG) is feasible to be conducted through microgrids implementation. A microgrid is a portion of the electrical system which views generation and associated loads as a subsystem, with the ability to operate both grid connected or islanded from grid, thus maintaining a high level of service and reliability. The existing grid infrastructure, the distributed energy resources to be integrated, as well as specific customer-oriented requirements will determine the best fitting architecture to constitute a microgrid. In this review, most common microgrids architectures based on ac, dc and hybrid ac/dc buses are analyzed. Furthermore, their advantages and disadvantages are discussed, describing their major components and most used control strategies.