978–1–4673–2240–9/12/$31.00 ©2012 IEEE 297 35th Int. Spring Seminar on Electronics Technology Microgrid Model for Fast Development of Energy Management Algorithms Radu Etz, Toma Patarau, Stefan Daraban, Dorin Petreus Applied Electronics Department, Technical University of Cluj–Napoca, Romania radu.etz@ael.utcluj.ro Abstract: The demand for electricity production increased in the last ten years leading to large investments and losses in the electricity grids. This forms the basis of decentralized hybrid energy system where the energy is produced in close proximity to the end user. This paper presents a simulation model for intelligent microgrids with distributed generation, also known as Smart Microgrids, focusing on the reduction of the simulation time in order to allow fast development of energy management algorithms. Photovoltaic panels and wind generators will be used as renewable energy primary sources and batteries as storage. 1. INTRODUCTION In our days, the contamination of air is progressing with the increase of energy consumption. Presently the most used sources of electrical energy are the conventional sources that use pollutant fuels like coal and natural gases. A lot of research has been carried out to promote renewable energies and make them accessible in large quantities and low prices with good efficiency [1]. Wind energy, solar energy and fuel cells hybrid systems have experienced rapid growth in the past 10 years because they are pollution-free resources of power. In [3-5] different hybrid generation plants have been presented. Electrical power generators should ensure continuous power production to meet the energy demand of the end users. Wind and sun energy cannot fulfill this requirement. A good practice is to use hybrid energy systems combining photovoltaic panels with wind generators and storage to overcome this requirement. Different simulation models where developed in order to optimize the design of such microgrids and to improve the price/kWh produced in certain areas of the world, with different weather conditions [6]. In [2] several types of hybrid systems have been compared from the economical point of view: a Type A where all the energy produced is sold to the grid; a Type B where a part of the energy is sold to the grid and the other part converted to hydrogen; and a Type C where a part of energy is sold to the grid, the other part is converted to hydrogen which later is converted to electricity and then sold to the grid. It was proved that each of these systems suit best for different weather scenarios. In [7, 8] the studies are focused on the development of mathematical and simulation models for hybrid power systems which allow optimal sizing of the microgrid components. Negotiating the power flow inside a microgrid is also of great importance to reduce the price of the power produced and to fulfill the load demand. Energy management algorithms should be developed to ensure power flow equilibrium inside the microgrid. This paper presents an improved simulation model for intelligent microgrids also known as Smart Microgrids which will enable fast development of new energy management algorithms. Each simulation model of the Smart Grid’s components will be presented in order to explain its functionality and point out methods of controlling it. The power flow in the system will be administered by the power converters together with the energy management system. Photovoltaic panels and wind generators will be used as renewable energy primary sources. The focus of the developed simulation models is on reducing the simulation time in order to allow fast development of energy management algorithms. Section II describes each model proposed for the converters used. Section III discuses the entire