Control and operation of a three-phase local energy router for prosumers in a smart community

Abstract

From the electrical energy point of view, the smart community (SC) concept is meant to be as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to the classical configuration. The SC includes small-scale renewable energy sources (RES) and small-scale energy storage system (ESS). The SC energy management system acts as an aggregator, aiming to assure benefits for community stakeholders. These trends led to the energy routers (ERs) concept. This study proposes and describes the control strategies for these ERs to contribute to the SC goals. The approach of these strategies increases the RES adjustability, contributing to maintain the ESS state of health. The ER is able to operate simultaneously with active and reactive power control, besides compensating SC grid voltage imbalances, and providing ancillary services to the SC. The proposed control strategies are validated by simulations and experiments.