REVIEW OF MICROGRID CLUSTER ARCHITECTURES BASED ON DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES

The integration of distributed energy resources (DERs)—such as wind and solar power plants, cogeneration units, and energy-storage systems, can potentially reduce carbon emissions, improve power quality, and enhance both reliability and energy efficiency. While DER deployment may lessen the need for conventional grid expansion, managing a potentially large number of generation sources poses complex challenges for network operation and secure, efficient control. These challenges can be effectively addressed by microgrids. Microgrids are regarded as one of the most promising solutions for incorporating renewable-based distributed generation into the power system. They strengthen network reliability and resilience by ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers. The traditional model of energy production and use has evolved toward energy sharing, driven by the growing penetration of DERs. These changes transform passive consumers into active prosumers who not only consume but also exchange surplus electricity generated from DERs with the grid or with other consumers. Over the past decade the microgrid concept has been vigorously explored and developed, and it is now a practical reality. Several microgrids can operate in an interconnected mode, forming a microgrid cluster in which each individual microgrid (or the cluster as a whole) benefits from cooperation. In the coming years the existing power system is expected to transform into one comprising many microgrids. This study analyses scientific publications on microgrid clusters based on DERs, presents results of an assessment of possible cluster architectures, and focuses on control and communication structures and strategies, highlighting their advantages and drawbacks. Keywords: distributed energy resources, microgrid cluster, microgrid, control, monitoring, architecture, protocol, communication, network.