Control and Sizing of Back-to-Back Converter in Interconnected Microgrids

Paper in proceeding, 2023

This paper aims to investigate the interconnected microgrid solution through a back-to-back (B2B) converter for providing system services to grid operators and users without resorting to energy storage systems. A case study of a hydro-powered industrial microgrid interconnected to an adjacent community microgrid is analyzed. The sizing of the B2B converter for the interconnection accounts for the peak net load reduction, voltage regulation and island operation with smooth island transition. It is found that the utilization of the B2B converter is improved by value stacking grid-connected and island operation services. Furthermore, the requirement of the MW capacity has to be slightly larger for the port of the B2B converter controlling the dc-link voltage without losing control over the dc-link voltage.