Advanced Controller Utilizing Natural Gas Engines for Microgrid Systems

The controller within a microgrid is essentially a power management system and it should keep the balance between power generation and consumption to minimize the frequency deviation that results from load fluctuation and variability in renewable energy sources. When there is excess power in a grid, the grid frequency tends to increase. This applies to both utility grids and microgrids. On the other hand, the grid frequency decreases if the generated power within a grid cannot fulfill the load demands. If the utility grid frequency deviation exceeds the allowed limits, breakers will open and cause blackouts. The same principle applies to microgrids. Thus, it is critical to maintain a constant engine speed regardless of system disturbances, variations, and uncertainties.

Situations requiring significant transient performance are numerous (e.g., mining sites, fracking operations, oil & gas industry operations), and they are currently served by diesel based systems, rather than cheaper, cleaner, abundant natural gas because performance capabilities are limited with current technologies using natural gas engines under operating conditions.