Dynamical behaviour analysis of a DC microgrid in distributed and centralized voltage control configurations

In majority of cases residential microgrids are constituted of renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and of power converters representing control points that by proper operation assure overall system stability and quality of power supply. In this paper we present simulation based analysis of dynamical behaviour of a residential DC microgrid laboratory setup in distributed and centralized voltage control configurations. It is shown that these control configurations have several inherent limitations, like overload of microgrid components during rapid load changes which can affect components lifetime. In order to overcome such limitations, the cause of such behaviour is assessed and control concepts to overcome that are proposed. Microgrid is simulated on electrical level using equivalent electrical models of all components involved: photovoltaic array, electrochemical batteries, fuel cells stack and power converters.