Abstract:
Today’s microgrid controls are designed to maximize generation availability, preserve critical loads, and ensure system stability. Microgrids are also capable of autonomous operation during a loss of utility or intentional islanding during grid disturbances. Such autonomous operation requires sources that can provide primary frequency and voltage regulation within the microgrid system. Additional controls also
use optimization algorithms for saving costs, improving efficiency, and maximizing green energy usage. The University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) is a world-class research university with an advanced campus electrical utility system. The university’s microgrid system consists of a diverse generation and load portfolio. This paper discusses details of microgrid monitoring and control system (MMCS) components implemented for UC San Diego, such as contingency-based load shedding, frequency-based load shedding, peak shavings, synchrophasor-based islanding detection and decoupling, high-speed generator switching, adaptive protection systems, and automatic synchronization with an overview of the overall system architecture. The paper also presents the dynamic performance of the MMCS during hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing with a real-time and dynamic digital simulator, and how the MMCS protects the UC San Diego system from blackouts, supports the islanded operation, and performs resynchronization to the grid. The paper also presents the efforts put into the modeling and
simulation of the campus microgrid, its benefits for system validation, and commissioning using HIL testing and the commissioning results.
This MMCS is currently in operation.
J. Dilliot, A. Upreti, B. Nayak, K. G. Ravikumar, Presented at the 45th Annual Western Protective Relay Conference Spokane, Washington October 16–18, 2018