Guest Editorial Special Section on Microgrids for Sustainable Energy Systems

The benefits of the integration of distributed energy resources (DER), i.e., distributed generators (DGs), storage devices, and flexible loads in the operation and planning of energy systems are currently widely recognized. The operation of microgrids as controlled entities offers the possibility of coordinating DER, so that they behave as a single producer or load to the upstream network, and they can provide the full DER advantages in a consistent, manageable way. The special section contains 15 papers that were selected from the 85 papers submitted. Four of the papers consider microgrids implementation in the context of rural electrification, industrial complexes, and commercial buildings. Two of the papers report the experience of two real-world microgrids, including performance in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and on control issues of a standalone, island microgrid. A related paper deals with the characterization of a prototype system for military applications. Management and control is the key feature of microgrids. Seven papers describe microgrid energy management systems, including specialized applications like remote telecommunication station supplies, coordinated charging of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and distribution system reconfiguration. Both centralized and decentralized coordination techniques of DER within microgrids are applied. A final paper presents a microgrids design approach considering the variability of photovoltaic (PV) systems.