Renewable energy based Microgrid are more and more popular nowadays with the paradigm shift to distributed generations.
Some researchers answer Microgrid rating as kW (for eg, 160 kW, 700 kW) or as MW (for eg. 45 MW).
Some researchers mention Minigrid with kW ratings for Regional Grid or Rural Electrification System.
Is the capacity of Minigrid larger than Microgrid or not?
In the U.S., the capacity of the microgrid (in MW) is determined by the so-called Independent Power Operator (IPO) such as the New England Power Operator (NEPOOL). This system coordinated the supply of power from renewable energy microgrids and the utility grid.
For your second question: The capacity of minigrid (measured in kW) is smaller than that of the microgrid (measured in MW).
Professor Yehia Khalil, Yale University, USA
Fellow of the University of Oxford, UK
I don't have the exact answer. However, I think the structures of micro-grid and mini-grid would depend upon the number of distributed sources and consumers with their own renewable energy sources in a power system network.
If you are clear about exactly what you mean by mini-grid and micro-grid then the answer becomes self evident.
A mini grid can be defined as a set of distibuted generation technologies and electricic storage system interconnected to a distribution system that supplies electric power to a number of customers. A mini grid system supplies electric power to a limited number of consumers through a distribution system that can operate on its own without any connection to the natinal grid. The capacity of the mini grid system that utilizes renewable energy resources depends on the number of consumers, avaliablity of local renewable energy resouces and power system constraints.
As for Minigrid, we are involved in projects where a 100 kW installeed generating power is assumed to be the starting point. Case by case it may increase from there. I would say that since it is a new territory we can expect a 100 kW to 1 MW range development. At some point the Minigrid will become interconnected to the Transmission system, assuming the investment to do so are justified. This may happen when power is in the tenth of MW.
Therefore I believe that the dynamic evolution could be of some minigrids becoming interconnected first and when a large 'local distribution system is built up' the worth of Interconnection with HV will be easier.
Unfortunately, there is no standard to classify minigrids or microgrids. Microgrid is a combination of different energy sources including storage that provides power to the local loads. It can also operate both in grid connected and islanded mode. I believe these are also the cases for minigrids. However, some of the researchers as mentioned earlier that the capacity of minigrid is in kW and microgrid is in MW range, which I agree too. As a result, the operational scope and difficulties will be much higher in case of microgrids compare to the minigrids.
Hello RG Colleagues,
Thanks a lot for your excellent answers.
Regarding Hydropower, its ratings depending on the installed capacity as:
So, Mini is higher rating than Micro regarding Hydropower.
Our particular microgrid is used for research only and consist of four seperate units, each one is 2.5Kw.
Interlinked with 240 volt ac bus, 600 volt dc bus with programmable power supply ( to simulate pv) and a 24 volt dc bus ( power storage ) to simulate four seperate houses. We call ours a microgrid.
Prof Michael Thomas,
Big Thanks for your answer.
So, in your Microgrid, ac loads are controlled by dc system.
No, A.C. loads are supplied with power from the D.C. system using a 2.5Kw Inverter which we can control with in house software. D.C. loads are supplied direct from the D.C.system. We can measure how much power is being supplied in both systems. The A.C.bus and D.C. bus are totally seperate.
In answer to your original question, In our world Micro is always smaller than Mini, so the power capacity of a micro grid is going to be smaller than a mini grid.
Yes, of course!!! Michael Thomas.
I think as your answer.
However, currently, the words "Microgrid" is more popular than "Minigrid".
KW is the units that we follow.
and basically we use this grid for conducting experiments
Please go through the link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microgrid
Can five 3W panels could be used to make a dc micro/nano/pico grid
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