Operation of a Utility Connected Microgrid Using an IEC 61850-Based Multi-Level Management System

Abstract

This paper presents a management system for a utility connected low-voltage microgrid composed of three nodes: a wind turbine, a battery and a variable load. These nodes are not commercial equipment but emulators. Each unit is composed of two identical voltage sources in back-to-back configuration. The microgrid is managed by a three-layered hierarchical automation system: the RMU layer, the iNode layer and the iSocket layer. The automation system permits two possible control modes: a centralized mode and a distributed mode. It has been developed an active and reactive power control that can be used for both management modes. Communications among the iNode and the iSockets are according to IEC 61850 standard. To implement IEC 61850 it has been used MMS-EASE Lite solution from SISCO, Inc. A commercial IEC 61850 SCADA has also been used.