International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, and Optimization Techniques (ICEEOT) - 2016

Modelling and Simulation of a Solar PV and

Battery Based DC Microgrid System
M.H.F Ahamed*, U.D.S.D Dissanayake, H.M.P De Silva, H.R.C.G.P Pradeep,
N.W.A. Lidula, Member, IEEE.
Undergraduate, Department of Electrical Engineering,
University of Moratuwa,
Katubedda, Sri Lanka.
*fahamedi91@gmail.com

Abstract—Energy management and control of a PV array and
a battery based DC Microgrid is presented in this paper. Design
and operation of PV and battery DC-DC converters are discussed
in detail. Radiation input to the solar array is an actual variation
which was measured in a normal sunny day. Battery is the main
component responsible of keeping the DC bus voltage at a
constant value by charging or discharging while serving the
dynamic load. There are standard built-in models for solar PV
and battery in PSCAD/EMTDC, the software which is used for
the microgrid simulation. It is observable that the microgrid
energy management and control works as expected.
Keywords— Buck-boost converter, DC Microgrid,distributed
resourses, energy management and control, energy storage.
I. INTRODUCTION
The concept “Microgrid” evolved with the increasing
penetration of renewable energy sources to the system and with
concerns of transmission capacity constraints and line losses in
transmission of electric power through long distances.
Microgrids allow generation to be located near load centers
with better management and control mechanism to allow active
distribution at a higher reliability. For example in Uttar Pradesh
authorities have used 24 V solar powered DC microgrid to
power the lighting loads [1].
The debate on AC verses DC distribution is historical and
as old as the commercial power systems themself. Current
power system encounter changes in both load and source sides;
for an example there is an increased penetration of DC sinks
such as electronic loads and most of the renewable energy
sources [2]. The state–of–the-art of DC microgrids is discussed
in [2]. DC microgrids offers significant benefits including
reduced stages of AC-DC interfaces required for laptops,
HVAC loads, electronic lighting loads etc., which represents
higher percentage of loads in most of the buildings today.
However, standards for DC microgrids are not documented to
date.
AC or DC microgrids can operate autonomously
controlling its system parameters in the set limits. Integration
of an energy storage system(s) for a DC microgrid allows
flexibility but with the penalty of complex control architecture
[3]. Two important aspects that should be considered in
designing the energy management and control in a microgrid
are (i) generation-load power balance (ii) state of charge (SOC)
of the battery. Energy management and control is very critical
for DC microgrids with high penetration of intermittent
renewable energy sources. SOC for a battery should be
maintained between an upper limit and a lower limit to ensure
the battery health and its life time [3].
Various studies have been carried out by researchers on
control and operation of DC microgrids. In [4] battery and
super capacitor combined controlled energy management
system is discussed. Self-disciplined stabilization of a DC
microgrid is presented in [5]. A common stability discipline is
introduced in [5], which ensures the stable operation of the
microgrid as long as this discipline is satisfied by each
individual converter.
This paper discusses energy management and control of a
DC microgrid based on solar PV and battery addressing all
possible modes of operation. In all operating modes, the major
concern is given to maintain the DC bus voltage constant and
to protect the battery from overcharging or deep discharging.
The performance of the modelled system is analyzed only
during the islanded operation, representing a rural
electrification system. The presented microgrid system can be
further expanded by incorporating different distributed
resources including wind turbines, super capacitors and diesel
engines, and the system can be used to test various power
systems scenarios including transients and protection.
Next section provides an overview of the simulated
microgrid and details of the PV array and battery models
chosen. Energy management and controls are provided in
section III. Section IV provides simulations and discussions.
Finally Section V presents the conclusions.
II. THE DC MICROGRID
The microgrid discussed in this paper is based on a rural
electrification system where distributed resource (DR) is a
solar PV and access to the utility grid is not available. Fig.1
shows the layout of the microgrid that has been simulated in
PSCAD/EMTDC, the power system simulation software used
in this study. A battery is integrated to the system to store the
energy when the solar irradiation is high and distribute to the
load when solar power generation is small. The DC-link
voltage is choosen to be 48 V to compensate the lighting loads
which are represented by resistors. For a quality power supply
the DC–link voltage should be maintained at 48 V, and this
control is done through battery charge and discharge controller.

978-1-4673-9939-5/16/$31.00 ©2016 IEEE

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 objectives of the control and energy management proposed in
this paper are as follows:

• Control of solar PV: provides a reference voltage (Vmpp)

for the unidirectional DC-DC boost converter.
• Control of the DC-DC boost converter at the PV output:
forces the solar array to operate at a voltage to harness the
maximum power.
• Battery charging and discharging circuit control: maintains
the DC link voltage at a constant value of 48 V.
Fig. 1. Layout of the designed microgrid. • DC–DC converter control at the load end: smooth the load
800
voltage as far as possible even when the DC-link voltage
undergoes ripples.
Irradiance (W/m )
2

600

400
A picture of the PSCAD model developed showing the DC-
200 DC converter architecture, Vmpp generating model and solar PV
characteristics curves are given in Fig.3. Maximum power
0
0 16 32 48 64 72 point tracking is implemented to harvest the maximum
PSCAD simulation time (s)
available power from the solar PV array. As shown in Fig.3(b)
Fig. 2. Variation of irradiance. in the first stage, a first-order low pass filter is used to filter the
higher frequencies or harmonics. Then these signals are fed to
A. PV array. the MPPT model to generate the reference voltage called Vmpp.
The algorithm used in this MPPT model is incremental
There is a PV array library model available in
conductance method. In this method, the slope of the P-V
PSCAD/EMTDC. The user has to configure the model by
curve, which is shown in Fig.3(c) is considered. The slope at
giving the irradiance and the ambient temperature values.
maximum power point is zero, negative on the right and
Series and parallel combinations of cells and number of PV
positive on the left [7]. Then the solar output voltage is forced
modules can be defined according to the power and voltage
to follow Vmpp by firing the IGBT in the DC-DC boost
requirements. The PV array that has been used in this
converter shown in Fig.3(a). Even at varying atmospheric
simulation is based on SUNTECH manufacture models [6].
conditions it can be observed that PV voltage is very closely
The characteristics curves for designed model are validated
following Vmpp. Unlike commonly used converters that regulate
with manufacture specification.
the output parameter, this converter regulates the input voltage.
The irradiance input considered is from a recorded actual
radiation measurement in particular sunny day. Fig.2 shows the
variation of solar irradiance from 7 AM to 5 PM, which is used
in this simulation for all the scenarios that are discussed later.
The irradiance undergoes rapid drops when the clouds are
covering the sun. The maximum irradiance recorded is around
600 W/m2. The ambient temperature is assumed as 25ࡈC, which
was the typical value for the place where the irradiance was
measured

B. Battery.
The library model for battery in PSCAD is based on the
Shepherd model. There is another option available for the user
to define charge and discharge curves as a user defined battery
model. For the Shepherd model which is used in this study the
battery nominal voltage is set to 96 V. This voltage can be
achieved by arranging a bank of 6 V or 12 V batteries in series
and parallel, which are commercially available in the markets.

III. ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL Fig. 3. (a) PV array with DC-DC boost converter (b) maximum power point
operating voltage (Vmpp) generating model (c) P-V characteristics curve for PV
Energy management and power control is very critical for array.
a DC Microgrid based on an intermittent source. The main

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Fig. 4. Battery charge and discharge circuit in PSCAD.
Bidirectional buck-boost topology is used for battery
control. However, in this paper an isolated bidirectional DC-
DC converter (IBDC) is used to charge and discharge the
battery [8]. Fig.4 shows the implementation of dual active
bridge (DAB) circuit used as battery converter in PSCAD. The
transformer is primarily used to maintain galvanic isolation
between two sides and to step up the DC bus voltage to
forcefully charge the battery. When the converter is operating
as a charger IGBTs numbered 1 and 2 are fired. The pulses for
1 and 2 are generated with 180 degrees phase shift and having
a duty of 75%. In this mode no control is done for the IGBTs 3
and 4. When the circuit is operating as a discharger, all IGBTs
are fired. IGBTs 1 and 2 are fired with the same signals that
are used in the charging mode. But, IGBTs 3 and 4 are fired
by overlapping signal with duty ratio of 50%.
The battery dynamics and the energy management system
(EMS) control algorithm are shown in Fig. 5. The algorithm is
very similar to the algorithm used in [9] but some changes
were done. The indicator for charging and discharging of the
battery is SOC. To protect the battery from overcharging and
critical discharging, the battery SOC is maintained within 30%
and 90%. These limits could be freely chosen according to the
design of the microgrid without making any changes to the
control algorithm. The following actions are taken according
to the detected SOC conditions [9].
• Charge battery if,
o SOC < 90% and PPV > PLoad or
o SOC < 30% and PPV > PLoad.
• Discharge battery if,
o SOC > 30% and PPV < PLoad or
o SOC > 90% and PPV < PLoad.
• Load shedding if,
o SOC < 30% and PPV < PLoad.
• Halt mode if,
o SOC > 90% and PPV > PLoad and no additional
load available.
• Dynamic load addition if;
o SOC > 90% and PPV > PLoad and dynamic load is
available.
Start
Measure SOC
Pload, PPV
N N
SOC>0.9 SOC<0.3 0.3<SOC<0.9
Y Y
N PPV>Pload PPV>Pload PPV<Pload Y
Y N N
Y
Add an additional
load or halt
Load shedding Charging Discharging
Return
Fig. 5. Energy management algorithm [9].
IV. SIMULATIONS AND RESULTS.
The simulations illustrate the accurate control and
energy management of the solar PV and battery in the
microgrid. The simulated results present how the system is
correctly controlled to follow the algorithm shown in Fig. 5.
The battery capacity is choosen considering the simulation
time of 72 s, as the changes in the SOC can be easilly
demonstrated and visualized. For a practical application, the
battery capacity can be calculated considering the solar
irradiance distribution and SOC limitations.
The simulations are discussed under three scenarios:
• Scenario (01) Battery reaches its maximum charging
limit and then the system switches to halt mode when
there is no additional load available.
• Scenario (02) Scenario 01 is extended by connecting an
additional dynamic load to the system during the charging
mode of the battery so that the battery SOC is regulated
within its maximum limit.
• Scenario (03) Battery SOC reaches its minimum limit at a
particular point of operation. So in order to keep the DC
link voltage at 48 V load shedding is done.
Figure 5 shows the simulated results for scenario 01.
Initially the power delivered by the solar is not enough to feed
the required load power of 1 kW. Therefore, the battery gets
discharged supplying the load while maintaining the DC link
voltage at 48 V. With the increase of solar power and when it
exceeds 1 kW of generation, which is the load power, battery
begins to charge while maintaining the DC link voltage at the
nominal value.
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 60 60

48 48

32 32
(V)

(V)
16 16

0 0
0 16 32 48 64 72 0 16 32 48 64 72
Time(s) Time(s)
(a) (a)
60 60

48 48

(V)
32
(V)

32

16 16

0 0
0 16 32 48 64 72 0 16 32 48 64 72

(b) (b)
100 100

90 90

SOC(%)
SOC(%)

80 80

70 70

60 60

50 50
0 16 32 48 64 72 0 16 32 48 64 72

(c) (c)
1.5 1.7
1.5
(kW)

1
(kW)

0.5
0.5

0 0
0 16 32 48 64 72 0 16 32 48 64 72

(d) (d)
3 3

2 2
(kW)

(kW)

1 1

0 0
0 16 32 48 64 72 0 16 32 48 64 72

(e) (e)
40 40

30 30
(V)
(V)

20
15
10
Vmpp
Vmpp
Vpv
Vpv
0 0
0 16 32 48 64 72 0 16 32 48 64 72

(f) (f)
Fig. 6. DC link voltage (b) Load voltage (c) state of charge of battery Fig. 7. (a)DC link voltage (b) Load voltage (c) state of charge of battery
(d)Load power (e) PV power (f) Vmpp and Vpv for the first scenario. (d) Load power (e) PV power (f) Vmpp and Vpv for the second scenario.

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 60 PV array switches from maximum power point (MPP) tracking
48 mode to the voltage control mode. This can be observed in
Fig.6(e) and Fig.6(f). During this period of halt mode solar
(V)

32
power fluctuates between zero and its maximum value as the
16 power required by the system is much smaller. Then battery
gets discharged as soon as solar power falls below 1 kW. In
0
0 16 32 48 64 72 this scenario the solar power output is not fully utilized to the
Time (s)
load as MPP tracking algorithm is turned off when battery
(a)
60
SOC reaches 90%.
48 Figure 7 shows the simulated results for scenario 02. The
aim of this scenario is to have maximum utilization from the
(V)

solar power output while maintaining the battry SOC at higher

32

16 values. Initially, the load power is set to 1 kW. When battery

begins to charge, an additional dynamic load of 1.5 kW is
0
0 16 32 48 64 72
connected to the system between 20 s and 60 s. The value for
(b) the dynamic load is choosen according to the battry capacity.
100 Due to this interconnection, the battery SOC does not reach
90
90% before solar power falls below the critical value. As it is
seen in the Fig.7(f) the PV voltage is always following the
SOC(%)

70

50 VMPP to force the PV array to operate at the maximum power

30
point ensuring that the PV out put power is fully utilized to the
load.
10
0 16 32 48 64 72

(c) Figure 8 shows the simulated results for scenario 03. The
2
purpose of this scenario is to show how DC bus voltage is
maintained at 48 V while battery is protected from deep
1.5
discharges in an emergency situation. Initially, load power is
(kW)

1 set to 1.75 kW. Therefore, the battery state of charge quickly

reaches its minimum value of 30% at around 17 s. System
0.5
voltage will collapse if an additional source is not provided at
0
0 16 32 48 64 72
this moment. But as there is no additional sources available,
load shedding becomes necessary to keep the DC-link voltage
(d) at 48 V. Immediately load power is reduced to 0.5 kW. This
3 allows the battery to get charged and it allows SOC to
increase. During the lightly loaded period, because of high
2
currents flowing through the converters DC link voltage
(kW)

undergoes severe fluctuations. These voltage ripples are

1
eliminated in the load voltage but has some downward voltage
notches, which is reflected to the load power curve as well.
These notches can be eliminated by modifying the DC-DC
0
0 16 32 48 64 72

(e) converter at the load, which is not discussed in this paper. As

40
soon as battery SOC reaches its maximum value, then the
EMS algorithm will automatically connect an additional load
30
in order to harvest the full power output generated from the
(V)

20 solar PV.
10
Vmpp
Vpv V. CONCLUSION.
0
0 16 32 48 64 72
Islanding mode operation of a solar PV and battery based
(f) DC Microgrid system is presented in this paper.
Fig. 8. (a) DC link voltage (b) Load voltage (c) state of charge of battery Implementation of solar PV and battery charging and
(d) Load power (e) PV power (f) Vmpp and Vpv for the third scenario. discharging converters are discussed in detail. The DC
microgrid is tested for three different modes of operation and
Then battery undergoes rapid discharging when solar results are analyzed. The results show that the energy
radiation comes down. With the increasing solar radiation
management and control work as expected. The designed
battery get charged, and when SOC reaches its maximum value
of 90% battery will be switched to the halt mode assuming system can be used to test various power system scenarios
there is no additional load available. Now, battery converters including transients and protection.
will not regulate the voltage of the DC bus. According to EMS
control algorithm the DC-DC unidirectional converter of solar

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