how to form dc microgrid cluster

i have 3 microgrid model in Simulink how to connect them and make a cluster.

Answer 1

[Ayush]

Hi @Anik,

I understand you are having 3 microgrid models in Simulink and want to know how to connect them so that they can share power, resources or data.

You can setup the cluster in following way:

1. Define each microgrid's input and output: Each microgrid is a modular block with following properties:

• Power interfaces (AC/DC, voltage levels, connection points)
• Control signals (frequency, voltage, load, control, communication lines)
• Measurement points (voltage, current, power flow)

2. Interconnection Type: You can connect the microgrid in following ways:

• electrical interconnection (via transmission lines, transformers, or buses)
• Control coordination (via communication and centralized or decentralized controllers)

3. Create a Master Simulink Model

• Open a new Simulink model – this will be your microgrid cluster
• Drag and drop (or reference) the three microgrid models as subsystems or model references.

4. Design Electrical Connections

• Use three-phase or single-phase lines to connect the outputs of each microgrid.
• Introduce transformers or converters if different voltage levels or AC/DC systems are involved.
• Include switches or breakers for testing grid-forming/grid-following behaviors.

Here is the following example of the electrical connection:

Microgrid 1 --> Bus 1 --> Transmission Line --> Bus 2 <-- Microgrid 2
                                                   |
                                               Microgrid 3                                               

5. You can try to implement Control Coordination: Implementing control coordination in a microgrid cluster offers significant benefits in terms of stability, efficiency, and resilience. You can do the same by following the below mentioned steps:

1. Add a central controller block or design a distributed control algorithm using Simulink blocks or Stateflow: You have two primary options for implementing control logic:

a) Centralized Control:

• Add a central controller block in your main Simulink model that gathers measurements from all microgrids.
• This controller computes control signals (like power dispatch, voltage reference, frequency setpoint) and sends them to each microgrid in the cluster.
• Ideal for simple setups or systems with a strong communication infrastructure.

b) Distributed Control:

• Design individual control blocks within each microgrid that can communicate with others to reach consensus (e.g., using consensus algorithms or local droop control).
• This approach improves scalability and fault tolerance, as there is no single point of failure.
• Use Stateflow, MATLAB Function blocks, or Discrete Event systems to model coordination logic.

2. Pass signals (like frequency, power demand, voltage setpoints) using:

3. Goto/From blocks

4. Data Store Memory

5. Bus signals

6. Simulink Messages for more realistic communication modeling

6. Synchronization and Load Sharing: You can make sure of the following points to ensure smooth synchronization and efficient load sharing.

• All microgrids are synchronized in terms of frequency and phase (if AC).
• Implement droop control or other load-sharing mechanisms.
• Add PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) or synchronizers if needed.

7. Run Simulation and Monitor Performance

• Use scopes, displays, or data logging to check:
• Power flow between microgrids
• Voltage/frequency stability
• Load sharing
• Test fault scenarios or disconnection/reconnection cases.

Hope it helps!