On Benefits and Challenges of Nested Microgrids

Nesting of microgrids enhances supply reliability, operational efficiency. and ancillary service support by optimizing distributed energy resource utilization. The availability of local reserve capacity within the nested microgrids (NMGs) enhances the local black start capability and can provide extra ancillary services to the main grid. However, NMG requires complex control and multiple communication layers, which makes it more vulnerable to control instability and cyber-attacks. Coordination of multivendor MGs is another challenge. This paper reviews the structure of a NMG, its associated benefits, challenges, and measures to assess its potential for large-scale application.