Sustainable and Resilient Distribution Systems With Networked Microgrids [Point of View]
Jianhui Wang, Xiaonan Lu
Abstract
Grid modernization calls for increasing requirements of electric grid operation with enhanced sustainability and resilience [1]. In particular, distribution grids serve as a critical venue to bridge bulk upstream transmission and generation systems and a large number of downstream end users on the customer side, playing a significant role in modern electric grids for multiple purposes (e.g., renewable energy integration, power flow distribution, and end-user power quality enhancement) [2]. Under a normal grid operation condition, the increasing penetration level of renewable energy sources imposes new challenges on conventional distribution grid infrastructure (e.g., protection malfunction [3] and voltage violation [4]); on the other hand, in an extreme grid operation scenario, it is urgently needed to restore grid services after severe power outages, such as those caused by natural disasters [5]. In particular, for critical infrastructures, an efficient grid service restoration strategy should be implemented to avoid further damage over an extended period of time.