Challenges, Configuration, Control, and Scope of DC Microgrid Systems: A Review

Managing natural resources and air pollution has been challenging for humans for quite a long time. A severe manifestation of natural resource mismanagement has been in the form of CO2 emissions from smoke bellowing thermal power plants (TPPs). Besides evoking global warming, the TPPs also foster limited coal reserve reduction with the increasing electricity demand. The ongoing scenario may lead to severe catastrophes until efficient plans for natural resource management are prepared. Many researchers have suggested DC microgrid as a credible alternative for power generation, significantly reducing carbon emissions. Efficient control strategies have brought microgrid technology to the level of other generation sources in terms of system reliability and efficiency. Renewable energy resources can be implemented as a safe, low voltage (< 50 V) local DC microgrid for DC load, reducing the converter requirement with low transmission losses and overcoming the scarcity of electricity. Seamless integration of solar-PV systems and batteries into the DC microgrid will increase the predominance of clean electricity in the modern power system. It will alleviate the air pollution problems generated by TPPs and sequels to enable natural resource management effectively. In light of the above facts, this paper presents a detailed survey on the challenges, configuration, control, and scope of DC microgrid systems. Various predominant configurations, recent advances in control strategies, operation challenges, and DC microgrid commissioning have been discussed. Moreover, a case study illustrating the benefits of DC systems is presented along with the energy-saving analysis compared with AC systems.

Automated summary

This paper presents a detailed survey on the challenges, configuration, control, and scope of DC microgrid systems. DC microgrids, as a credible alternative for power generation, significantly reduce carbon emissions and address the issue of electricity scarcity, thereby alleviating air pollution problems generated by thermal power plants.