Composition of the photovoltaic and energy storage microgrid

Are energy storage technologies feasible for microgrids?

This paper provides a critical review of the existing energy storage technologies, focusing mainly on mature technologies. Their feasibility for microgrids is investigated in terms of cost, technical benefits, cycle life, ease of deployment, energy and power density, cycle life, and operational constraints.

Why is PV technology important in a microgrid?

PV technology is the backbone of the renewable energy sector and plays one of the most crucial roles in designing of microgrid. It is among the important renewable energy resources, distributed geographically, which is more or less available in every microgrid (Tomar, Mittal, & Sharma, 2018).

What are the components of a microgrid system?

The DC components of the microgrid system consist of solar PV and WT, along with a battery energy storage unit (BESU). As for the AC components, the demand is met by local load, dump load, and DG acting as a backup power source. An energy management system (EMS) tracks and manages the power-sharing of each component of the MS.

How can a microgrid improve the reliability of solar PV?

In order to overcome the problems associated with the intermittency of solar PV and enhance the reliability, energy storage systems like batteries and/or backup systems like diesel generators are commonly included in the microgrids [11, 12].

What is a microgrid energy system?

Microgrids are small-scale energy systems with distributed energy resources, such as generators and storage systems, and controllable loads forming an electrical entity within defined electrical limits. These systems can be deployed in either low voltage or high voltage and can operate independently of the main grid if necessary .

Which features are preferred when deploying energy storage systems in microgrids?

As discussed in the earlier sections, some features are preferred when deploying energy storage systems in microgrids. These include energy density, power density, lifespan, safety, commercial availability, and financial/ technical feasibility. Lead-acid batteries have lower energy and power densities than other electrochemical devices.