Model-based hierarchal control framework for frequency and voltage stability in islanded microgrids with low inertia

Islanded microgrids with high renewable energy penetration face critical challenges in maintaining frequency and voltage stability owing to their low system inertia, communication delays, and intermittent generation. This paper proposes a hierarchical control framework that integrates adaptive virtu...

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Main Authors: Girmaw Teshager Bitew, Teketay Mulu Beza, Muhammad Shahzad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2025-06-01
Series:APL Energy
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0267116
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author Girmaw Teshager Bitew
Teketay Mulu Beza
Muhammad Shahzad
author_facet Girmaw Teshager Bitew
Teketay Mulu Beza
Muhammad Shahzad
author_sort Girmaw Teshager Bitew
collection DOAJ
description Islanded microgrids with high renewable energy penetration face critical challenges in maintaining frequency and voltage stability owing to their low system inertia, communication delays, and intermittent generation. This paper proposes a hierarchical control framework that integrates adaptive virtual synchronous generator (VSG) dynamics, a delay-compensated consensus protocol, and battery energy storage system (BESS) optimization. The framework adopts VSGs with dynamically adjustable inertia, combined with adaptive Q–V droop control, to coordinately regulate frequency and voltage while compensating for communication delays using predictive feedback and event-triggered mechanisms. A multi-objective BESS strategy achieves a balance among synthetic inertia support, voltage regulation, and state-of-charge (SoC) limitations. Simulation results for a 500 kW microgrid with 70% renewable energy show that the proposed framework outperforms conventional droop control and fixed-inertia VSGs. The main results include frequency deviation below 0.04 Hz (versus 0.12 Hz for droop control), voltage regulation error within ±1.2% (versus ±4.2% for droop control), and a 50% reduction in communication traffic. In the case of a 150 kW diesel generator loss, PV system slowdown, and load surge, the adaptive VSG reduced the stabilization time by 30% and maintained the SoC of the BESS in the range of 20%–80%. This approach effectively addresses the challenges posed by low inertia, enhances the physical resilience of the grid, and provides a scalable solution for microgrids dominated by renewable energy sources. Future research will focus on hardware-in-the-loop verification and cyber-attack-resilience integration.
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spelling doaj-art-1bb637d40dca49e0bafc0a7211c78f732025-08-20T03:28:47ZengAIP Publishing LLCAPL Energy2770-90002025-06-0132026104026104-1110.1063/5.0267116Model-based hierarchal control framework for frequency and voltage stability in islanded microgrids with low inertiaGirmaw Teshager Bitew0Teketay Mulu Beza1Muhammad Shahzad2Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 6000, EthiopiaFaculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 6000, EthiopiaDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology, Multan 60000, PakistanIslanded microgrids with high renewable energy penetration face critical challenges in maintaining frequency and voltage stability owing to their low system inertia, communication delays, and intermittent generation. This paper proposes a hierarchical control framework that integrates adaptive virtual synchronous generator (VSG) dynamics, a delay-compensated consensus protocol, and battery energy storage system (BESS) optimization. The framework adopts VSGs with dynamically adjustable inertia, combined with adaptive Q–V droop control, to coordinately regulate frequency and voltage while compensating for communication delays using predictive feedback and event-triggered mechanisms. A multi-objective BESS strategy achieves a balance among synthetic inertia support, voltage regulation, and state-of-charge (SoC) limitations. Simulation results for a 500 kW microgrid with 70% renewable energy show that the proposed framework outperforms conventional droop control and fixed-inertia VSGs. The main results include frequency deviation below 0.04 Hz (versus 0.12 Hz for droop control), voltage regulation error within ±1.2% (versus ±4.2% for droop control), and a 50% reduction in communication traffic. In the case of a 150 kW diesel generator loss, PV system slowdown, and load surge, the adaptive VSG reduced the stabilization time by 30% and maintained the SoC of the BESS in the range of 20%–80%. This approach effectively addresses the challenges posed by low inertia, enhances the physical resilience of the grid, and provides a scalable solution for microgrids dominated by renewable energy sources. Future research will focus on hardware-in-the-loop verification and cyber-attack-resilience integration.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0267116
spellingShingle Girmaw Teshager Bitew
Teketay Mulu Beza
Muhammad Shahzad
Model-based hierarchal control framework for frequency and voltage stability in islanded microgrids with low inertia
APL Energy
title Model-based hierarchal control framework for frequency and voltage stability in islanded microgrids with low inertia
title_full Model-based hierarchal control framework for frequency and voltage stability in islanded microgrids with low inertia
title_fullStr Model-based hierarchal control framework for frequency and voltage stability in islanded microgrids with low inertia
title_full_unstemmed Model-based hierarchal control framework for frequency and voltage stability in islanded microgrids with low inertia
title_short Model-based hierarchal control framework for frequency and voltage stability in islanded microgrids with low inertia
title_sort model based hierarchal control framework for frequency and voltage stability in islanded microgrids with low inertia
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0267116
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