In renewable energy systems, fluctuating outputs from energy sources and variable power demand may deteriorate the voltage quality. In this paper, a model predictive control strategy without using any proportional-integral-derivative (PID) regulators is proposed. The proposed strategy consists of a model predictive current and power (MPCP) control scheme and a model predictive voltage and power (MPVP) control method. By controlling the bidirectional dc-dc converter of the battery energy storage system based on the MPCP algorithm, the fluctuating output from the renewable energy sources can be smoothed while stable dc-bus voltage can be maintained. Meanwhile, the ac/dc interlinking converter is controlled by using the MPVP scheme to ensure stable ac voltage supply and proper power flow between the microgrid and the utility grid. Then, a system-level energy management scheme is developed to ensure stable operation under different operation modes by considering fluctuating power generation, variable power demand, battery state of charge, and electricity price. Compared with the traditional cascade control, the proposed method is simpler and shows better performance, which is validated in simulation based on a 3.5-MW PV-wind-battery system with real-world solar and wind profiles.

As the electronic interfaces between distributed energy resources and the electrical network, power converters play a vital role in voltage stabilization and power conversion. So far, various power converter control methods have been developed. Now it is urgently needed to compare and understand these approaches to support the smart microgrid pyramid. This article provides an overview of the state-of-the-art of parallel power converter control in microgrid applications. The most important control schemes to address existing challenges, including concentrated control, master–slave control, droop mechanism, virtual synchronous generators, virtual oscillator control, distributed cooperative control, and model predictive control, are highlighted and analyzed in detail. In addition, the hierarchical control structure, as well as future trends, are reviewed and discussed.

Microgrids have emerged as a promising solution to integrate distributed energy resources (DERs) and supply reliable and efficient electricity. The operation of a microgrid involves the coordination of different DERs and loads. To date, various control methods have been developed to maximize the overall benefit while satisfying various constraints. Now it is urgently needed to understand and comprehend these approaches to further stimulate the deployment of microgrids. This paper presents an overview for researchers on economic model predictive control (EMPC) methods of microgrids to achieve a variety of objectives such as cost minimization and benefit maximization. The fundamental principle of the EMPC theory is explained in detail. The most popular and important strategies applied to stand-alone microgrids, grid-connected microgrids, residential smart homes, as well as networked microgrids are discussed. Future trends are also highlighted.

This letter presents a novel model predictive control strategy without involving any proportional-integral-differential regulators for practical renewable energy based ac microgrids. The proposed method consists of a model predictive power control (MPPC) scheme and a model predictive voltage control (MPVC) scheme. By controlling the bidirectional buck-boost converters of the battery energy storage systems based on the MPPC algorithm, the fluctuating output from the renewable energy sources can be smoothed, while stable dc-bus voltages can be maintained as the inverters' inputs. Then, the parallel inverters are controlled by using a combination of the MPVC scheme and the droop method to ensure stable ac voltage output and proper power sharing. Compared with the traditional cascade control, the proposed method is simpler and shows better performance, which is validated in simulation on MATLAB/Simulink and on real-time laboratory platform.