Integration of battery energy storage element in a CERTS microgrid

Microgrids can employ a variety of sources that work together to supply local power and offer significant system efficiency gains from combined heat and power (CHP). Energy storage elements offer the flexibility to supply power even when intermittent sources are not online, but accurate control of the energy level of the energy storage element is critical to maintaining the bi-directional power capabilities of the energy storage element. A controller is presented and demonstrated here that accomplishes the task of controlling the energy level to within an acceptable range autonomously when commands from a master controller are incorrect or lost.