TABLE 2. Summary of control methods for microgrid systems.
TABLE 3. PV array models designed in software environments’
TABLE 4. Overview of BESS models.
TABLE 5. Overview of inverter models.
TABLE 6. Examples of modeling of common load components in a microgrid system.
TABLE 7. Optimization techniques reviewed in literature.
Keywords: solar PV systems, microgrid, hierarchical control, total harmonic distortion, load modeling
Citation: Seane TB, Samikannu R and Bader T (2022) A review of modeling and simulation tools for microgrids based on solar photovoltaics. Front. Energy Res. 10:772561. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2022.772561
*Correspondence: T. B. Seane, dHVtZWxvLnNlYW5lQHN0dWRlbnRtYWlsLmJpdXN0LmFjLmJ3
Africa-Press – Botswana. Microgrids offer a promising solution for electrifying Africa''s rural communities and advancing the transition to clean energy. They offer advantages over traditional grid expansion, including lower costs, greater flexibility, and easier integration of renewable energy sources. However, several challenges remain, including upfront costs, energy storage, and environmental concerns.
To achieve universal electricity access by 2030 as envisaged in the SDGs, 110 million connections are needed each year. Robust decentralised and off-grid solutions could play a pivotal role in bridging the electricity access gap, especially in areas of low density where grid expansion would be uneconomically expensive.
1. Microgrids are more economically feasible.
Microgrids offer several advantages over traditional main-grid technology. Traditional grid expansion cost up to £17,500 per km for transmission presenting significant financial costs in areas of low density. To recover these costs, utilities often need to implement high tariffs, most of which are typically unaffordable for most rural households.
Off-grid microgrids are less capital intensive than grid expansion. They not only reduce the capital investment required but also mitigate the transmission and distribution costs associated with centralised grid systems. As a result, microgrids are a practical solution for approximately 45 per cent of Africa''s rural communities. In Ghana for example, decentralised minigrids have become the least cost option for extending electricity access to remote communities. Microgrids provide opportunities for growth in remote areas where traditional grid connections are uneconomical and unfeasible.2. By storing energy, microgrids can improve electricity access.
Power supply in developing countries is riddled with intermittency challenges either as a result of fuel supplies shortages, inefficient grid systems or over-demand of energy. When combined with energy storage systems, microgrids can help reduce intermittency by storing excess energy during periods of high generation and releasing it during periods of low/no generation or by acting as backup systems during periods of disruption on the main grid. This combination enhances overall reliability, ensures smoother power access and reduces intermittency challenges. This has been in observed in Tanzania where hybrid minigrid technologies that combine renewables and storage have been shown to improve reliability of electricity.
Challenges to development and scale-up of microgrids
Reliability of microgrids, especially those based on renewable energy sources require investments in energy storage systems. However, despite costs relating to storage systems having gone down over time, they still present substantial initial and maintenance costs.
In addition, microgrids face challenges in attracting finance and investment due to their relative novelty and therefore limited examples of effective business models and higher perceived risk. As such, scaling of microgrids is challenging. Since microgrids tend to be geared at remote and underserved communities, ensuring sustainability requires a balanced mix between household users and productive users as well as access to infrastructure and financing for productive users to enable their sustainability.
The disposal of energy storage devices and other components has raised environmental concerns. Challenges associated with recycling devices like batteries can have adverse impacts on the environment. For instance, solar panels waste is projected to be 78 million tonnes by 2050 and can lead to the leaching of dangerous chemicals into the ground. Furthermore, land use for microgrid infrastructure such as wind turbines or solar panels can adversely impact local ecosystems and habitats.
Promoting sustainable microgrid development and bridging knowledge gaps
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