In terms of numbers of consumers and producers interconnected to an electrical infrastructure which is called mini, micro and nano grid.
A nanogrid appears to be for one building.
A microgrid appears to be for one island of 15000 consumers
A minigrid appears to overlap the previous definition.
Though such definition may not be universal and may not be explicit in the eyes of a laymen, I think, they are used to understand different possible modes of operation of distribution system. The term nano/micro/mini would specify the smallest unit of distribution system that is capable of autonomous operation.
Check out these very different technical definitions of a nanogrid:
"Definition of a nano-grid – Nordman, 2013
“A nano grid is a single domain for voltage, reliability, and administration. It must have at least one load (sink of power, which could be storage) and at least one gateway to the outside. Electricity storage may or may not be present.”
Definition of a nano-grid – Bryan, 2002
“A nanogrid is defined an aggregation of local small-scale generators and loads. The load on a nanogrid is typically less than 20 kW, as in the case of a small rural community or industrial site, and the loads are located within 5 km of the picosources.”
The definition appears to depend on who's doing the defining and why, i.e. what discipline they come from!
Jon has quoted my definition (thank you).
The common definitions of a microgrid are that it can operate
independently of a utility grid and contains some local generation.
In: http://nordman.lbl.gov/nordman.html#NANO
there are slides that list some key differences between a nanogrid
and a microgrid. A nanogrid is much simpler. A network of nanogrids
could be a microgrid without any central entity.
Neither the nanogrid or microgrid definitions mention a power capacity
floor or limit - they are defined by capability and complexity.
I have searched for a good definition of minigrid. I have concluded
that it is a utility grid with central generation and customers, but of
a small scale. It is orthogonal to the nano and micro definitions, being
focused on the provider/customer relationship. A minigrid then could
be a nanogrid, a microgrid, or more.
Some have defined a picogrid to be an end-use device that has an
internal battery so can operate disconnected from any grid.
This sounds reasonable to me.
A privilege to hear from Bruce! I meant no disparagement in pointing out that the technical definitions vary considerably, more to point out that the prefix nano-, mini-, micro- etc don't refer to specific technical capacities/limitations but, as Bruce says, are more attempts to define 'capability and complexity'.
I am currently working with colleagues in Kenya and Bangladesh to establish the pilot projects for what (as far as we are aware) are the first solar nano-grid arrays anywhere (and if I'm wrong about this, please let me know!). The project derived from the massive roll-out of SHS (solar home systems) in Bangladesh and their popularity in Kenya, and an understanding of the limitations of the SHS format, plus lessons learned from the establishment of solar minigrids in both countries.
The nanogrid idea therefore came from an understanding that the technical capacities of solar arrays had somehow to be made to conform to social and economic realities of the host communities, i.e. that the size, capacity and connectivity of whatever power source was envisaged should be led by the energy needs and visions of the community, rather than the other way round.
Thus, for me as a social scientist (Geographer) what is important about considerations of scale and the nomenclature that gets fixed to it in the RET field, is that the technical element of such RET initiatives should be (as much as possible) guided by socio-political, cultural and economic considerations, rather than devising a set of scalar technologies first and trying to see where they fit best.
Thnakyou very much to all of you for sharing such nice definitions of nano and micro grid. No I am much confartable with this.
Yet, there is no proper definition or boundary limits to identify micro grid or mini grid. These are being used alternatively.
1. Not any defined region for micro grid or mini grid by voltage level, both are said as medium or low voltage level.
2. There is no defined size of the area to identify a micro grid or mini grid .
3. There is no defined size of the generation unit to identify a micro grid or mini grid .
4. There is no defined size of the number of consumer to identify a micro grid or mini grid .
However, if anyone find a clear definition which is accepted by IEEE or similar organization standard, I am, hereby, requested to everyone to let me know that.
Please click the link below for difference between nano and micro grid.
http://solarnanogrids.org/nano-or-micro-grids/
Dear Sanjeev Pandey thank you very much! But I am looking for the definition of micro, mini grid and nano grid in some standard like IEEE.
Ian Kennedy Sir mentioned in the best possible ways considering that there is no fix boundary
A nanogrid appears to be for one building.
A microgrid appears to be for one island of 15000 consumers
In microgrid, consumers number may vary from 5000 to 15000.
Hello Rajeev Kumar Chauhan,
I found a good definition in this Irena document (Page 11)
https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2015/IRENA_Off-grid_Renewable_Systems_WP_2015.pdf
Best regards
A minigrids having both transmissions as well as a distribution network, while microgrid has only distribution networks and nanogrid neither has neither transmission network nor distribution network
The mini-grid uses distribution lines. Micro-grids are similar to mini-grids but operate at a smaller size and generation capacity (1 to 50 kW). ... The nano-grid (NG)is a relatively new concept and applies to a grid serving a single customer or building.
Here is the federal US Department of Energy (DOE) microgrid definition:
A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that act as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. A microgrid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or island mode.
Note that this definition implies that such a system is connected to a traditional utility grid. The definition of a mini-grid is the opposite, though there is hardly consensus on the term, even though it is often referred to in regulations in developing economies.
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