Communication architecture and data acquisition for experimental MicroGrid installations

In this paper, the communication architecture of an experimental MicroGrid is designed and implemented. Modbus TCP/IP is used as the communication protocol in the MicroGrid to receive data and send commands to different components within the MicroGrid. HTTP TCP/IP is applied as a back-up protocol in case of no availability of Modbus TCP/IP, and also serves as the protocol platform for displaying meaningful data regarding the MicroGrid. Implementation of data acquisition in a database for control and forecasting purposes and data exhibition in a website for monitoring purposes are also presented in this paper. A design for a future implementation of an AC/DC Hybrid Multi-MicroGrid with an advanced communication architecture is proposed as the next phase of the experimental MicroGrid.