ECE 4324 - Microgrids (3C)

Course Description

Microgrid: definitions, components, and modes of operation; steady-state analysis and power quality; control modes and hierarchy; renewable resources and their inverter grid-forming and grid-following modes; protection strategies; emerging topics e.g., DC microgrids and datacenters; cybersecurity.

Why take this course?

Microgrids are emerging a solution for increasing power system reliability and resiliency as well as renewables integration. Microgrids have been discussed in the technical literature for about two decades and there are several real-world examples of their implementation. This course discusses fundamental analysis, modeling, and control, and protection tools and techniques for microgrids in the dual contexts of the power system and standalone operation.

Learning Objectives

1. Evaluate the need for a microgrid and its costs and regulatory challenges vs reliability and resiliency advantages;
2. Analyze the steady-state operation of a microgrid including inverter-based resources;
3. Design control methods for a microgrid at different timeframes;
4. Analyze the non-sinusoidal voltage and/or current resulting from an inverter-based resource;
5. Perform time-domain simulation studies for a microgrid;
6. Design grid-forming and grid-supporting controls and power sharing mechanisms for a microgrid;
7. Evaluate cybersecurity aspects of a microgrid.