College of Engineering Chengannur

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

EE403: Distributed Generation and Smart Grid

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION PAPER AND SOLVED ANSWER

MODULE 1

SEVENTH SEMESTER B.TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION(R), DECEMBER 2018.

PART A
Answer all questions, each carries 5 marks.

1. Compare smart grid with conventional utility grid.

Any 5 points -1mark each

 PART B
Answer questions, each carries 10 marks.

1. Draw and explain the typical configuration of an AC Microgrid.

A small AC Microgrid is formed within power system by interconnecting loads and DG

units. DG units generating DC voltage are connected to the AC Microgrid through DC/AC
converter. DG units producing AC voltages are connected through a transformer. During grid
connected mode of operation, the two networks are interconnected at the PCC, while the loads
are supplied from microsource and if necessary from the utility. If power produced by DG
system is more than power demand by load, surplus power will be exported to the utility grid.
Comparing with conventional power grid, the major difference is the emergence of storage
devices and DGs.

SEVENTH SEMESTER B.TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION(S),MAY 2019.

PART A
Answer all questions, each carries 5 marks.

1. What is Microgrid? List the characteristics

Microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resource with clearly
defined boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to grid. A Microgrid can
connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid connected or island-
mode.
or
Its a low-voltage power distribution system integrated with distributed energy resources (DERs)
and controllable loads, which can be operated with or without the main grid

For characteristics refer PYQ DEC 2018 .1

 PART B
Answer questions, each carries 10 marks

1. Explain with diagram, the working of energy router based interconnecting frame work for
the micro grid system (7 MARK)

Energy router based interconnecting framework for the micro grids system

Energy router serves as an energy hub to setup an electrical connection between Microgrid and
the utility grid.

Its advantages includes:

 Resolves the problem of instantaneous energy deficiency or surplus by complementary
energy exchanges between the neighboring Microgrids.
 Isolation guarantees that any frequency or voltage variation at one end of the energy
router will have no direct impact on the systems on other sides of energy router.
 Extensive implementation of the energy routers will encourage the shift of the power
system architecture from the conventional hierarchical framework to a more interactive
and connective framework.

2. With neat sketch, explain typical micro grid configuration? (10 MARK)

The Microgrid consists of three radial feeders (A, B and C) to supply the electrical and
heat loads. It also has two CHP and two non-CHP microsources and storage devices.
Microsources and storage devices are connected to feeders A and C through microsource
controllers (MCs). The microsources have plug-and-play features. They are provided with PEIs
to implement the control, metering and protection functions during stand-alone and grid-
connected modes of operation. Some loads on feeders A and C are assumed to be priority loads
(i.e. requiring uninterrupted power supply), while others are non- priority loads. Feeder B
contains only non-priority electrical loads.

Modes of operation

The Microgrid is coupled with the main medium voltage (MV) utility grid (denoted as ‘main
grid’) through the PCC (point of common coupling) circuit breaker CB4 as per standard
interface regulations.

The Microgrid is operated in two modes:

(1) grid-connected
(2) standalone.

In grid-connected mode, the Microgrid remains connected to the main grid either totally or
partially, and imports or exports power from or to the main grid. In case of any disturbance in
the main grid, the Microgrid switches over to stand-alone mode while still feeding power to
the priority loads.
This can be achieved by either
disconnecting the entire Microgrid by opening CB4 or
disconnecting feeders A and C opening CB1 and CB3.
3.What is the function of energy management module in micro grid configuration (3 MARK)

EMM provides the set points for active and reactive power output, voltage and
frequency to each MC.

It must ensure
 Microsources supply heat and electrical loads to customer satisfaction.

 Microgrids operate satisfactorily as per the operational a priori contracts with main
grid.

 Microgrids satisfy its obligatory bindings in minimising system losses and emissions
of greenhouse gases and particulates.

 Microsources operate at their highest possible efficiencies.

SEVENTH SEMESTER B.TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION(R, S), DEC 2019

PART A
Answer all questions, each carries 5 marks.
1. What is an active distribution network? Explain its relevancy in microgrid system.

Active distribution network (2) + Relevancy in microgrid system (3)

Current trend is bidirectional electricity transportation Distribution networks without

any DG units are passive since the electrical power is supplied by the national grid system to
the customers embedded in the distribution networks.It becomes active when DG units are
added to the distribution system leading to bidirectional power flows in the networks.

In order to harness clean energy from renewable DERs, active distribution networks should also
employ future network technologies leading to smart grid or Microgrid networks.

Active Distribution N/w gaining growth due to several factors such as:

 Increasing desire of policy makers for accommodation of DERs with energy storage
devices
 Carbon commitment in reducing emissions by 50% by 2050.
 Provides reliable power
 Motivating the distribution n/w operators towards better asset utilization and
management by deferral of replacement of age old assets etc.

PART B
Answer questions, each carries 10 marks

1. Draw and explain the typical configuration of a DC Microgrid. (10)

DC Microgrid diagram (4 mark), Explanation (6 mark)
 DC Power system have been Employed for over long distances via sea cables, industrial
power distribution systems, point-to-point transmissions, telecommunication infrastructures
and for interconnecting AC grids of different frequencies. Devices like fluorescent lights,
mobile chargers, computers adjustable speed drives (ASDs), radio and many business and
industrial appliances need DC power for their operation. Available AC has to be converted to
DC In conventional grid systems the DC generated from DGs has to be converted to AC and
connected to network. Then at consumer end, it has to be converted to DC. Results in power
loss from DC-AC-DC conversion. To avoid it DC micro grids are formed, interconnecting loads
and DC generating DGs. DC micogrid is made attractive due to the technical advancements in
HVDC operation.

FIG shows typical dc Microgrid system interconnected with main system at PCC,
which can be an HVDC transmission line or utility grid from the conventional power plants.

2. Explain the role of central controller in stand-alone and grid connected mode of operation
of Microgrid. (5 mark)

Role of central controller in standalone and grid connected mode (2.5 + 2.5)

The functions of the CC in the stand-alone mode are as follows:

  Performing active and reactive power control of the microsources in order to maintain
stable voltage and frequency at load ends.

 Adopting load interruption/load shedding strategies using demand side management

with storage device support for maintaining power balance and bus voltage.

 Initiating a local black start to ensure improved reliability and continuity of service.

 Switching over the Microgrid to grid-connected mode after main grid supply is restored
without hampering the stability of either grid

The functions of the CC in the grid-connected mode are as follows:

 Monitoring system diagnostics by collecting information from the microsources and

loads.

 Performing state estimation and security assessment evaluation, economic generation

scheduling and active and reactive power control of the microsources and demand side
management functions by using collected information.

 Ensuring synchronised operation with the main grid maintaining the power exchange
at priori contract points

3. Explain the control functions of micro-resource controller (MC). (5 Mark)

 The main function of MC is to independently control the power flow and load-end
voltage profile of the microsource in response to any disturbance and load changes.
 MC also participates in economic generation scheduling, load tracking/management and
demand side management by controlling the storage devices.
 It must also ensure that each microsource rapidly picks up its generation to supply its
share of load in stand-alone mode and automatically comes back to the grid-connected
mode with the help of CC.

Seventh semester B.Tech degree examinations (S), September 2020

PART A
Answer all questions, each carries 5 marks.

1. Discuss the technical and economic advantages of Microgrid.

technical and economical advantages of microgrid 5 points -1mark each

  Related to environment – Integration of DERs
• Reduces no. of Thermal and nuclear power stations
• Reduces total particulate and gaseous emission and nuclear waste
• Reduces global warming and environmental pollution
 Related to Operation and Investment – Physical proximity of loads and microsource
helps in
• Enhancing the voltage profile by improving reactive power support
• Reducing T&D Feeder congestion and losses by 3%
• Reducing investments for expansion of generation and transmission systems by
proper asset management.
 Related to reliability and power quality
 Decentralization of power generating units
 Better match of Demand and Supply
 Reducing large-scale generation and transmission
 Enhancing restoration process and minimizing down times through black-
start operation of micro sources.
 Related to economy –
 Utilizes waste heat in CHP mode for heating purpose. Increases energy
efficiency above 80% as compared to conventional power system which has
40% efficiency.
 Integration of several microsources – reduces overall cost.
 Related to Energy Market
 Reduces cost of power
 Microgrids provide supplementary services
 Proper economic balance between DG utilization and network investment
decreases the long-term electricity prices by about 10%.

2. Draw the layout of typical micro grid and explain the components in detail. (10)
Refer PYQ MAY(R,S)2019
Layout (5); Explanation-5marks (PCC, sources CHP and Non CHP, CC,MC etc )

3. What is distributed generation? Explain how it enhances the performance of utility grid.

Generating power locally at distribution voltage level. Using non-conventional/renewable

energy sources like natural gas, biogas, wind power, solar photovoltaic cells, fuel cells,
combined heat and power (CHP) systems, micro turbines, and Stirling engines and their
integration into the utility distribution network. This type of power generation is termed as
Distributed generation (DG) and the energy sources are termed as Distributed Energy
Resources (DERs).

 RES are projected as an alternative to depleting fossil fuel reserve

 DER produce clean and ecofriendly electrical energy; hence exploitation of RES
reduces environmental pollution and global warming.
  DG s/m improves overall efficiency by enhancing tri-generation, co-generation or CHP
plants for utilizing the waste heat for industrial /commercial /domestic applications.
Utilization of thermal heat by CHP plants reduces thermal pollution also.

 T & D losses are negligible since they are located close to the load.

3. Explain the functions of Central Controller in microgrid.

5 functions of Central Controller (EMM and PCM )

Faculty in-Charge Module Coordinator HOD-EEE