IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v90y2018icp402-411.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Microgrids: A review of technologies, key drivers, and outstanding issues

Author

Listed:
  • Hirsch, Adam
  • Parag, Yael
  • Guerrero, Josep

Abstract

Microgrids are now emerging from lab benches and pilot demonstration sites into commercial markets, driven by technological improvements, falling costs, a proven track record, and growing recognition of their benefits. They are being used to improve reliability and resilience of electrical grids, to manage the addition of distributed clean energy resources like wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) generation to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to provide electricity in areas not served by centralized electrical infrastructure. This review article (1) explains what a microgrid is, and (2) provides a multi-disciplinary portrait of today's microgrid drivers, real-world applications, challenges, and future prospects.

Suggested Citation

  • Hirsch, Adam & Parag, Yael & Guerrero, Josep, 2018. "Microgrids: A review of technologies, key drivers, and outstanding issues," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 402-411.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:90:y:2018:i:c:p:402-411
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2018.03.040
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136403211830128X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2018.03.040?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Palizban, Omid & Kauhaniemi, Kimmo & Guerrero, Josep M., 2014. "Microgrids in active network management – part II: System operation, power quality and protection," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 440-451.
    2. Romankiewicz, John & Marnay, Chris & Zhou, Nan & Qu, Min, 2014. "Lessons from international experience for China's microgrid demonstration program," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 198-208.
    3. Hong Lin, 2013. "Toward Automated Generation Of Chinese Classic Poetry," New Mathematics and Natural Computation (NMNC), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 9(02), pages 153-181.
    4. Martin-Martínez, F. & Sánchez-Miralles, A. & Rivier, M., 2016. "A literature review of Microgrids: A functional layer based classification," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 1133-1153.
    5. Abu-Sharkh, S. & Arnold, R.J. & Kohler, J. & Li, R. & Markvart, T. & Ross, J.N. & Steemers, K. & Wilson, P. & Yao, R., 2006. "Can microgrids make a major contribution to UK energy supply?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 78-127, April.
    6. Khalilpour, Rajab & Vassallo, Anthony, 2015. "Leaving the grid: An ambition or a real choice?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 207-221.
    7. Severin Borenstein & James Bushnell, 2015. "The US Electricity Industry After 20 Years of Restructuring," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 7(1), pages 437-463, August.
    8. Nayar, C. V., 1995. "Recent developments in decentralised mini-grid diesel power systems in Australia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 52(2-3), pages 229-242.
    9. Wang, Xiaosong & Li, Kunwang & Xie, Shenxiang & Hou, Jack, 2013. "How is U.S. trade policy towards China determined?," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 25-36.
    10. Neef, H.-J., 2009. "International overview of hydrogen and fuel cell research," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 327-333.
    11. Shuai, Zhikang & Sun, Yingyun & Shen, Z. John & Tian, Wei & Tu, Chunming & Li, Yan & Yin, Xin, 2016. "Microgrid stability: Classification and a review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 167-179.
    12. Akorede, Mudathir Funsho & Hizam, Hashim & Pouresmaeil, Edris, 2010. "Distributed energy resources and benefits to the environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 724-734, February.
    13. ., 2013. "Towards forward-looking financial reporting," Chapters, in: Intellectual Property Rights and the Financing of Technological Innovation, chapter 6, pages 223-249, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    14. Williams, Nathaniel J. & Jaramillo, Paulina & Taneja, Jay & Ustun, Taha Selim, 2015. "Enabling private sector investment in microgrid-based rural electrification in developing countries: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 1268-1281.
    15. Mariam, Lubna & Basu, Malabika & Conlon, Michael F., 2016. "Microgrid: Architecture, policy and future trends," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 477-489.
    16. Kaur, Amandeep & Kaushal, Jitender & Basak, Prasenjit, 2016. "A review on microgrid central controller," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 338-345.
    17. repec:jso:coejss:v:2:y:2013:i:1:p:73-80 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Nema, Pragya & Nema, R.K. & Rangnekar, Saroj, 2009. "A current and future state of art development of hybrid energy system using wind and PV-solar: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(8), pages 2096-2103, October.
    19. Hazelton, James & Bruce, Anna & MacGill, Iain, 2014. "A review of the potential benefits and risks of photovoltaic hybrid mini-grid systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 222-229.
    20. Liang-Xin Li, 2013. "Toward A Strong Chinese Economy," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 3(7), pages 906-912, July.
    21. Soshinskaya, Mariya & Crijns-Graus, Wina H.J. & Guerrero, Josep M. & Vasquez, Juan C., 2014. "Microgrids: Experiences, barriers and success factors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 659-672.
    22. Justo, Jackson John & Mwasilu, Francis & Lee, Ju & Jung, Jin-Woo, 2013. "AC-microgrids versus DC-microgrids with distributed energy resources: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 387-405.
    23. Yael Parag & Benjamin K. Sovacool, 2016. "Electricity market design for the prosumer era," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 1(4), pages 1-6, April.
    24. Díaz-González, Francisco & Sumper, Andreas & Gomis-Bellmunt, Oriol & Villafáfila-Robles, Roberto, 2012. "A review of energy storage technologies for wind power applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(4), pages 2154-2171.
    25. Palizban, Omid & Kauhaniemi, Kimmo & Guerrero, Josep M., 2014. "Microgrids in active network management—Part I: Hierarchical control, energy storage, virtual power plants, and market participation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 428-439.
    26. Bushra Rehman & Mehreen Faiza & Tabinda Qaiser & Dr. M. Azeem Khan & Dr. Akhtar Ali & Saima Rani, 2013. "Social Attitudes towards Kitchen Gardening," Journal of Social Sciences (COES&RJ-JSS), , vol. 2(1), pages 27-34, January 2.
    27. Ustun, Taha Selim & Ozansoy, Cagil & Zayegh, Aladin, 2011. "Recent developments in microgrids and example cases around the world—A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(8), pages 4030-4041.
    28. Kuang, Yonghong & Zhang, Yongjun & Zhou, Bin & Li, Canbing & Cao, Yijia & Li, Lijuan & Zeng, Long, 2016. "A review of renewable energy utilization in islands," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 504-513.
    29. Shmelev, Stanislav E. & van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M., 2016. "Optimal diversity of renewable energy alternatives under multiple criteria: An application to the UK," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 679-691.
    30. Meng, Lexuan & Sanseverino, Eleonora Riva & Luna, Adriana & Dragicevic, Tomislav & Vasquez, Juan C. & Guerrero, Josep M., 2016. "Microgrid supervisory controllers and energy management systems: A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1263-1273.
    31. Kirubakaran, A. & Jain, Shailendra & Nema, R.K., 2009. "A review on fuel cell technologies and power electronic interface," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(9), pages 2430-2440, December.
    32. Hoff, Thomas E & Wenger, Howard J & Farmer, Brian K, 1996. "Distributed generation : An alternative to electric utility investments in system capacity," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 137-147, February.
    33. Gamarra, Carlos & Guerrero, Josep M., 2015. "Computational optimization techniques applied to microgrids planning: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 413-424.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Miguel Carpintero-Rentería & David Santos-Martín & Josep M. Guerrero, 2019. "Microgrids Literature Review through a Layers Structure," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-22, November.
    2. Yoldaş, Yeliz & Önen, Ahmet & Muyeen, S.M. & Vasilakos, Athanasios V. & Alan, İrfan, 2017. "Enhancing smart grid with microgrids: Challenges and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 205-214.
    3. Unamuno, Eneko & Barrena, Jon Andoni, 2015. "Hybrid ac/dc microgrids—Part I: Review and classification of topologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 1251-1259.
    4. Antoine Boche & Clément Foucher & Luiz Fernando Lavado Villa, 2022. "Understanding Microgrid Sustainability: A Systemic and Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-29, April.
    5. Roslan, M.F. & Hannan, M.A. & Ker, Pin Jern & Uddin, M.N., 2019. "Microgrid control methods toward achieving sustainable energy management," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 583-607.
    6. Warneryd, Martin & Håkansson, Maria & Karltorp, Kersti, 2020. "Unpacking the complexity of community microgrids: A review of institutions’ roles for development of microgrids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    7. Álex Omar Topa Gavilema & José Domingo Álvarez & José Luis Torres Moreno & Manuel Pérez García, 2021. "Towards Optimal Management in Microgrids: An Overview," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-25, August.
    8. A. Rahman, Hasimah & Majid, Md. Shah & Rezaee Jordehi, A. & Chin Kim, Gan & Hassan, Mohammad Yusri & O. Fadhl, Saeed, 2015. "Operation and control strategies of integrated distributed energy resources: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1412-1420.
    9. Bhuiyan, Erphan A. & Hossain, Md. Zahid & Muyeen, S.M. & Fahim, Shahriar Rahman & Sarker, Subrata K. & Das, Sajal K., 2021. "Towards next generation virtual power plant: Technology review and frameworks," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    10. Unamuno, Eneko & Barrena, Jon Andoni, 2015. "Hybrid ac/dc microgrids—Part II: Review and classification of control strategies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 1123-1134.
    11. Thomas Sachs & Anna Gründler & Milos Rusic & Gilbert Fridgen, 2019. "Framing Microgrid Design from a Business and Information Systems Engineering Perspective," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 61(6), pages 729-744, December.
    12. Younes Zahraoui & Ibrahim Alhamrouni & Saad Mekhilef & M. Reyasudin Basir Khan & Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian & Alex Stojcevski & Ben Horan, 2021. "Energy Management System in Microgrids: A Comprehensive Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-33, September.
    13. Jose R Sicchar & Carlos T. Da Costa & Jose R. Silva & Raimundo C. Oliveira & Werbeston D. Oliveira, 2018. "A Load-Balance System Design of Microgrid Cluster Based on Hierarchical Petri Nets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-30, November.
    14. Belqasem Aljafari & Subramanian Vasantharaj & Vairavasundaram Indragandhi & Rhanganath Vaibhav, 2022. "Optimization of DC, AC, and Hybrid AC/DC Microgrid-Based IoT Systems: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-30, September.
    15. Nosratabadi, Seyyed Mostafa & Hooshmand, Rahmat-Allah & Gholipour, Eskandar, 2017. "A comprehensive review on microgrid and virtual power plant concepts employed for distributed energy resources scheduling in power systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 341-363.
    16. Isa, Normazlina Mat & Tan, Chee Wei & Yatim, A.H.M., 2018. "A comprehensive review of cogeneration system in a microgrid: A perspective from architecture and operating system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 2236-2263.
    17. Yanine, Franco F. & Sauma, Enzo E., 2013. "Review of grid-tie micro-generation systems without energy storage: Towards a new approach to sustainable hybrid energy systems linked to energy efficiency," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 60-95.
    18. Chen, Weidong & Zeng, Yu & Xu, Chongqing, 2019. "Energy storage subsidy estimation for microgrid: A real option game-theoretic approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C), pages 373-382.
    19. Cagnano, A. & De Tuglie, E. & Mancarella, P., 2020. "Microgrids: Overview and guidelines for practical implementations and operation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    20. Villanueva-Rosario, Junior Alexis & Santos-García, Félix & Aybar-Mejía, Miguel Euclides & Mendoza-Araya, Patricio & Molina-García, Angel, 2022. "Coordinated ancillary services, market participation and communication of multi-microgrids: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:90:y:2018:i:c:p:402-411. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.