Micro-grids: why, for whom?

This academic publication written by students of an engineering school proposes a literature review on the concept of micro-grids which are an emerging application of smart grids to autonomous systems, notably in the case of non interconnected areas. The authors also illustrate the various issues addressed by presentations of eleven projects. Thus, they present micro-grids (definition, comparison with smart grids, benefits in terms of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, developments in Europe, in the USA and in Japan, cases and examples of autonomous areas), describe the various aspects of micro-grid management and control (architecture, control strategies, operating mode, optimisation strategies, predictions), address the issue of energy storage in the case of micro-grids (technical aspects, associated costs, storage sizing, examples, storage management). They also address the application of tri-generation in micro-grids: technologies and synergies of energy services, interest of tri-generation, examples, installation and control of a micro-grid with combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP). The next part proposes an overview of new actors and stakeholders in the field of micro-grids, and the last chapter addresses business models and economic challenges of micro-grid projects