scope:

This standard provides technical specifications and requirements for microgrid controllers. Additionally, there are informative annexes covering the description of the microgrid, the establishment of the functional specification, the structure of the microgrid control functions, and a bibliography. These are for informative purposes only, and can be referred to, but they are not required to be used in conjunction with this standard.

A key element of microgrid operation is the microgrid energy management system (MEMS). It includes the control functions that define the microgrid as a system that can manage itself, operate autonomously or grid connected, and seamlessly connect to and disconnect from the main distribution grid for the exchange of power and the supply of ancillary services. The scope of this standard is to address the technical issues and challenges associated with the proper operation of the MEMS that are common to all microgrids, regardless of topology, configuration, or jurisdiction, and to present the control approaches required from the distribution system operator and the microgrid operator. Testing procedures are addressed. Scenarios and/or use cases for testing are identified in this standard for dispatch function and transition function respectively. These cases shall be tested according to IEEE P2030.8.¹

Purpose

The reason for establishing a standard for the microgrid energy management system (MEMS) is to enable interoperability of the different controllers and components needed to operate the MEMS through cohesive and platform-independent interfaces. This approach will allow for flexibility and customization of components and control algorithms to be deployed without limiting potential functionality. Microgrid components and operational solutions exist in different configurations with different implementations. Regardless of whether equipment and software are commercial or custom, components should be interoperable and have interfaces that comply with functional standards defined by the MEMS. The standardization focuses on defining functions and interface configurations that allow modularity and interoperability. It deals with the microgrid controller operation, and defines those aspects that need to be standardized and those that can remain proprietary, while enabling the interoperability with various distributed energy resources (DER) interfaces and facilitating the wide adoption by vendors and utilities. The standard is functionality driven and focuses on a modular approach that enables potential future expansion and features.