A microgrid (MG) is a discrete energy system consisting of an interconnection of distributed energy sources and loads capable of operating in parallel with or independently from the main power grid. The microgrid concept integrated with renewable energy generation and energy storage systems has gained significant interest recently, triggered by increasing demand for clean, efficient, secure, reliable and sustainable heat and electricity. However, the concept of efficient integration of energy storage systems faces many challenges (e.g., charging, discharging, safety, size, cost, reliability and overall management). Additionally, proper implementation and justification of these technologies in MGs cannot be done without energy management systems, which control various aspects of power management and operation of energy storage systems in microgrids. This review discusses different energy storage technologies that can have high penetration and integration in microgrids. Moreover, their working operations and characteristics are discussed. An overview of the controls of energy management systems for microgrids with distributed energy storage systems is also included in the scope of this review.

The inevitable nexus between energy use and CO₂ emission necessitates the development of sustainable energy systems. The conversion of CO₂ to CH₄ using green H₂ in power-to-gas applications in such energy systems has attracted much interest. In this context, the present study provides a thermodynamic insight into the effect of water removal on CO₂ conversion and irreversibility within a CO₂ methanation reactor. A fixed-bed reactor with one intermediate water removal point, representing two reactors in series, was modeled by a one-dimensional pseudo-homogeneous model. Pure CO₂ or a mixture of CO₂ and methane, representing a typical biogas mixture, were used as feed. For short reactors, both the maximum conversion and the largest irreversibilities were observed when the water removal point was located in the middle of the reactor. However, as the length of the reactor increased, the water removal point with the highest conversion was shifted towards the end of the reactor, accompanied by a smaller thermodynamic penalty. The largest irreversibilities in long reactors were obtained when water removal took place closer to the inlet of the reactor. The study discusses the potential benefit of partial water removal and reactant feeding for energy-efficient reactor design.