RELIABILITY-ORIENTED DESIGN OF A MICROGRID SYSTEM

In the recent decade, a gradual transition from fossil-fuel-based energy to green energy technology has been taking place. One of the key components in such transition are renewable based-distributed generation-aided microgrids. They are seen as more efficient, cost-effective and flexible than conventional power systems. Power electronics is the key enabling technology for the integration of renewable energy. However, according to the previous filed experience, power converters are units highly prone to failure and a common cause of a system downtime. Therefore, their lifetime and reliability considerations are of high importance for the adequate design of future microgrids.

For that reason, as a part of this PhD project, new guidelines for the design of future, power electronics-based microgrids will be proposed. The main goal is to design a microgrid according to the main reliability and cost-related design targets. This is done through the suitable design actions on the system level (grid re-design, integration of distributed generation and storage) and converter-level (sizing, control and coordination of power converters). By means of the proposed framework, it is targeted to assure a design of a more reliable microgrid system which considers power electronics reliability and its connection with reliability and economic profitability through all microgrid levels (from components to overall system).

Funding: Villum Foundation