Advanced energy management strategies for AC/DC microgrids

This article investigates the active and reactive power dynamics of a hybrid AC/DC microgrid, with a particular focus on coordinated energy management among photovoltaic (PV) systems, synchronous generators, fuel cells, batteries, and supercapacitors. The novelty of this work lies in the integrated evaluation of bidirectional power flow, transient response, and voltage stability, which are addressed simultaneously through detailed simulations. Unlike existing studies that mainly highlight steady-state operation or isolated component performance, our analysis provides a holistic view of component interaction under dynamic conditions. The PV unit is modeled with a triangular power profile, peaking at 7 kW within 200 seconds, thereby capturing realistic variability in solar generation. The synchronous generator consistently delivers around 5 kW, adapting its output to compensate for load fluctuations ranging from 5.5 to 9.5 kW. The fuel cell, with a minimum output of 2 kW, ensures continuous supply during low renewable periods. Energy storage elements demonstrate complementary roles: the battery alternates between charging and discharging cycles, while the supercapacitor mitigates fast power deviations in the range of −0.05 kW to 0.3 kW. On the reactive power side, the load demands between −0.95 kvar and −0.5 kvar, with the synchronous generator contributing −0.65 kvar and the voltage source converters (VSC1 and VSC2) providing additional dynamic support. Importantly, the battery and ultracapacitor maintain voltage stability at 431.665 V and 249.5 V, respectively. Overall, the findings validate the robustness and efficiency of the proposed hybrid microgrid strategy, highlighting its contribution to enhancing grid resilience, stability, and reliable energy flow management.