A Comprehensive Review of the State-of-the-Art of Secondary Control Strategies for Microgrids

The proliferation of distributed energy resources in distribution systems has given rise to a new concept known as Microgrids (MGs). The effective control of MGs is a crucial aspect that needs to be prioritized before undertaking any implementation procedure. This article provides a comprehensive overview of hierarchical control methods that ensure efficient and robust control for MGs. Specifically, it focuses on the secondary controller approaches (centralized, distributed, and decentralized control) and examines their primary strengths and weaknesses. The techniques are thoroughly discussed, deliberated, and compared to facilitate a better understanding. According to functionality, the hierarchical-based control scheme is allocated into three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. For secondary control level, the MG communication structures permit the usage of various control methods that provided the significance of the secondary controller for consistent and reliable MG performance and the deficiency of an inclusive recommendation for scholars. Also, it gives a review of the literature on present important matters related to MG secondary control approaches in relation to the challenges of communication systems. The problem of the secondary level control is deliberated with an emphasis on challenges like delays. Further, at the secondary layer, the distributed control techniques for reducing communication system utilization and then reducing communication system delays are conferred. Furthermore, the benefits and limitations of various control structures, such as centralized, decentralized, and distributed are also discusses in this study. Later a comparative analysis of entire control approaches, the best methods of control according to the author’s perspective are also discussed.