Analysis of the competition landscape of smart microgrids

Why do we need a smart grid and a microgrid?

The competitive landscape among energy providers and distributors has empowered consumers to not only save money on their energy bills but also incorporate sustainable energy sources into the grid. To efficiently manage electricity distribution, deregulated power systems must include a smart grid and microgrid (MG).

What are the strategies for energy management systems for smart microgrids?

There are many strategies for energy management systems for smart microgrids such as load management, generation management, and energy storage management 4. The control system of a microgrid must continuously analyze and prioritize loads to maintain a balance between power generation and consumption.

Are microgrids the future of electricity distribution?

However, microgrids also run as parallel, and oftentimes competitive distribution grids that can potentially challenge the existing electric power distribution system, particularly if they come to exist at much larger levels of market penetration.

Are smart microgrids a threat to energy theft?

Energy theft, including smart microgrids, costs the global energy industry billions of dollars. The dispersed architecture and distributed energy supplies of smart microgrids make them more vulnerable to electricity theft than conventional power grids 5. Smart microgrids can analyze sensor and meter data to identify trends of energy theft.

How can a smart microgrid improve safety?

To further fortify the smart microgrid's safety, a theft detection device that tracks the gap between electricity withdrawal and consumption has been implemented. The proposed system also included the management of inverter and smart meter-connected loads, allowing for flexible responses to power outages.

Can hybrid RL-Mas improve energy flows & costs through microgrid cooperation?

Hybrid RL–MAS frameworks that could optimize energy flows and costs through microgrid cooperation remain underexplored. Additionally, integrating RL–MAS with electric vehicles faces challenges due to the scattered load and the unpredictable energy demand in such systems.