Literature Review of Microgrid Control Functions and Services

Microgrid control is complex due to its need to accommodate the intermittence of renewables, balance generation with load, transit between grid-connected and islanded modes, and maintain reliable power supply to end users. Much research has addressed microgrid control complexity in both centralized and decentralized settings. Research reviews generally follow a hierarchical control. In contrast, we use a rather different approach based, most and foremost, on the key requirements of microgrid control practices and technologies. This paper provides a literature review on the comprehensive list of functions and services in the various control domains that include energy management, protection, resiliency, ancillary services, and data management. Such a review is intended to guide research to address shortcomings, gaps, and challenges in microgrid control practices and to promote the advancement of microgrid control technologies.