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w i th the power supply to nearbyusers or lead to the desynchronizationof frequency and voltage, whichcan collapse the entire system. heintegration of different DPS sourcescan also compromise system safetyand stability. If they cannot self-adjust,DPSs can suffer from random andsudden disruptions.

Microgrids:Tremendous potential

Microgrids are a recent development

with the potential to bring distributedgeneration into the mainstream. As anextension of distributed generation,a microgrid is a localized grouping ofelectricity generation, energy storage,energy control and conversion, energymonitoring & management, and loadmanagement tools, which can operatewhi le connect ed to a t rad i t iona lelectricity grid (macrogrid) or functionindependently.

A microgrid is comprised of various

DPSs such as solar, wind, fossil fuels,and biomass; along with various energyconverter units such as fuel cells, MGs,internal-combustion engines, and energystorage systems. A microgrid features anintelligent control system that enables self-coordinated operation. With its powersource flexibility, cost-efficient scheduling,and optimized management, a microgridcan act as a controllable power supply toan external power grid or load.

A microgrid system helps eliminate

igh oil prices, along withthe stigma of associationwith pollution and climatechange, are making fossil

fuels a friend that no self-respectingIC firm wants to acknowledge. Energyalternatives, both in terms of generationand conservation, are being aggressivelyexplored and implemented by globalleaders. Among these alternatives,distributed generation is increasinglyfinding favor.

Limitations of

distributed generationDistributed generation, as its name

implies, involves the generation ofelectricity by a decentralized pluralityof locally-accessible fossil fuels orrenewable sources. Mature distributedgeneration technologies include wind,solar, fuel cells, and micro gas turbines(MGs).

However, distributed generationtechnologies have yet to realize their full

potential. Current solutions still facehurdles to their large-scale deployment.For example, distributed power supply(DPS) access to a power grid changesthe load flow distribution within thesystem and causes numerous problemswith voltage regula tion, protection/coordination, and energy optimization,while the introduction of a multitudeof advanced electrical and electronicdevices, as well as garden-varietycapacitors and inductors, can interfere

Microgrids: A bright future

By Peng Peng

Microgrids, a cutting-edge technology, feature intelligent control systems that enable self-coordinated operation.

With their energy flexibility, cost-efficient scheduling, and optimized management capabilities, they act as

controllable power supplies or loads in a power grid network, giving them enormous growth potential.

H

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Peng Peng is a Huawei senior

expert on onsite energy conservation.

His elds of expertise include

renewable energy, legacy machine

room renovation, and microgrid

power generation.

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Development Plan, assign high priorityto microgrid development. State-level projects have been initiated toencourage and support universities andinstitutes that research the microgrid

field. Microgrid development based onrenewable energy may indeed scale upin China in the near future.

Huawei has developed a series ofmicrogrid products and solutions fornon-traditional applications for telecomoperators, government agencies, schools,hospitals, enterprises, institutions, andhomes. It has also made significantprogress in the four major microgridsubsystems, namely power generation,energy storage, energy conversion

and control, and energy monitoringand management, securing more thantwenty core patents.

Huawei has developed SolarMaxmaximum-power tracking technology,which features 30 percent utilizationefficiency and suitability for photovoltaicconditions that include low energytransfer efficiency, high utilization costand nocturnal unavailability. For dieselenergy, it has developed the GenShiftgeneration system that can auto-adjust to

load factors as required. It also features atwo-fold increase in energy efficiency ratio(EER) over traditional solutions, whichare burdened with poor fuel efficiencythanks to their lower load rates. Huaweihas also developed a new regenerativefuel cell (RFC) system that enables fullutilization of the higher energy conversionratios and power densities of fuel cells.

Huawei has made s igni f icantprogress in advancing high-densityproton-exchange-membrane ( PEM)

material applications and critical systemcomponent design & manufacturingprocesses. Huawei has successfullyapplied low-voltage-ride-through(LVR) and reactive-power controltechnologies into real-world microgridsystem designs that are suitable for theidiosyncrasies of wind energy such asinstability and uneven distribution. It hasalso researched the controllability andstability of generation technologies basedon biomass which are renewable, pollute

modestly, and emit negligibly.Huawei is also investing in R&D

related to energy storage systems, whichhave been a hindrance to green powersolutions for some time; they cannot be

underestimated. Huawei is conductingsystematic research into critical energystorage technologies, including thedevelopment and application of new,manageable energy storage materialsas well as new materials for coldstorage. Huawei has secured patentsfor microcompressed air energy storagesystems and superconducting energystorage technologies; developed standardsfor energy storage devices that featureload fluctuation compensation and

high-frequency AC lines with minimalharmonic effects; and commencedresearch into supercapacitors.

Huawei has also become an industryleader in control system research.Microgrid control elements coordinateintelligent control between micropower supplies, electrical & electronicequipment, and between micro andmacro grids. o that end, Huawei hasdeveloped autonomous/ connectedoperation controllers that are widely used

in off-grid regions. o increase the EERof microgrid generation systems andtheir performance steadiness, Huaweihas designed a unique dynamic loadvariation control system. It has madebreakthroughs in seamless switchingbetween a microgrids connected andautonomous modes through agent-basedcontrol, black start for local microgrids,and cont ro l ba sed on advancedcommunications technologies.

Finally, Huawei is utilizing its

experience in data gathering andmonitoring, unified data sharing, andadaptive communications to furtherrefine microgrid technology, primarilyin the areas of relay protection, safety/stability control, scheduling, powermetering and settlement management.

Huawei, though new to the field ofmicrogrid engineering, is confident thatit can soon make end-to-end microgridsolutions a reality.

Editor: Li Xuefengxuefengli@huawei.com

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Huawei has also become

an industry leader in

control system research.

Microgrid control elementscoordinate intelligent

control between micro

power supplies, electrical

& electronic equipment,

and between micro and

macro grids.