Research Projects

As the energy demand and carbon emissions are increasing rapidly, it is essential to move to renewable energy resources as promoted by Indian Government. Once, the renewable energy resources are installed in the distribution network, it becomes an active distribution network. Such an Active distribution network (ADN), can be operated in grid-connected mode and the islanded mode of operation. During a major grid disturbance, the ADN can isolate itself to operate in the islanded mode of operation to improve the reliability of the power supply to the customers and avoids major drawback. Once the utility system comes back to normal operation, then the ADN should be reconnected to the grid. However, the reconnection can’t be done arbitrarily due to the voltage magnitude, frequency, and phase difference between the islanded ADN and the utility grid. The resynchronization methodology of the complete ADN/microgrid is still in the research stage. In this work, a novel resynchronization methodology is proposed based on connecting a Dedicated Distributed Generator (DDG) near the substation circuit breaker. The substation circuit breaker status and the grid parameters are monitored continuously either to the island (during the grid-connected operation) or the resynchronization (during the islanded operation). The inclusion of DDG avoids the huge capital investment of communication channels and complex control algorithms for synchronization. Hence, the solution is simple and effective and it can be extended to industrial-level testing and implementation. Once the methodology is developed, the stability analysis will be done for the complete system. Also, the need of modification of the existing protecting strategies owing to the change in control strategy will be explored.