Automatic Power Flow Control Strategy in Hybrid Microgrids: Development and Validation using Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18618/REP.e202608

Keywords:

Bidirectional power flow, Distributed power generation, Hardware-in-the-Loop, Microgrid, Power system management

Abstract

Research on hybrid microgrids has attracted significant interest mainly due to the advantages that this topology offers compared to a solely direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) microgrid. Among these advantages, one of the most frequently mentioned is the increased system reliability, due to the possibility of operating in either islanded mode or grid-connected mode, depending on the need. Additionally, the ability to export power to the AC grid is a valuable application of this type of system. In this context, this paper proposes a new control and management strategy for a hybrid microgrid. The analyzed microgrid consists of a photovoltaic system, energy storage systems, and an emergency power source, as well as DC and AC loads. The interface with the AC side is achieved through an inverter, and the microgrid may or may not be connected to the external grid. The proposed strategy emphasizes the management of all subsystems, as well as the control of operations in both grid-connected and islanded modes. The system was implemented using Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop (C-HIL). The results demonstrated that the proposed strategy enabled effective microgrid management, particularly regarding the proper coordination of the batteries through SOC equalization and the maintenance of each operational state of the microgrid.

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Author Biographies

Danillo B. Rodrigues, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro

was born in Uberlândia Brazil, in 1986. Received the B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, Uberlandia, MG, Brazil, in 2011, 2013, and 2016, respectively. His research interests include hybrid rectifiers, digital control applied to power electronic converters, power factor correction and applications of power electronics in the context of renewable energy sources and DC/AC microgrids.

Marcus E. T. Souza Junior, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

received the B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Brazil, in 2018, with an exchange period in France through the CAPES/BRAFITEC program at the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) in Strasbourg, and has received the M.S. (2020) and Ph.D. (2025) degrees from the UFU postgraduate program in Electrical Engineering in Power Electronics, working at the Power Electronics Research Center (NUPEP). He is currently a Substitute Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Faculty (FEMEC) at UFU. His main topics of interest are: Microgrids, Distributed Generation, Renewable Energies, Power Electronics, Control Systems, Smart Grids, and Power Quality.

Beatriz C. Moura, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Brazil, in 2019, and the master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Power Electronics Research Center (NUPEP), UFU, in 2024, with support from the Research Support Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG). She is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree with the School of Mechanical Engineering, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP).

Érico C. Guimarães , Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

graduated (2013) in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Brazil, and a Master of Science (2016) from the UFU postgraduate in Electrical Engineering in the Power Electronics Research Line, working at the Power Electronics Research Center (NUPEP). During the Master's, he studied and developed control techniques for AC-AC converters. He is currently a PhD student in Electrical Engineering at the same institution. His main topics of interest are: Microgrids, Distributed Generation, Renewable Energies, Control Methods and Power Quality.

Gabriel M. Bernardes, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

holds a degree in Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering from the Federal University of Uberlândia (2024), working on the following topics: signal digitization and conditioning, power electronics and development of bidirectional power converters. He was a fellow of the Intelligent Networks Laboratory (LRI-UFU), with the support of the University Support Foundation (FAU) between 2022 and 2024. He is currently a master's scholarship holder at FAPEMIG, working at the Power Electronics Research Center  (NUPEP-UFU).

Ênio C. Resende, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

received the graduate degree in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Brazil, with an exchange period through the CsF/CAPES program at the Sacramento State University (SAC-State), Sacramento, CA, United States, in 2018, and the M.Sc. degree in electrical engineering with the specialization in power electronics from the Power Electronics Research Center (NUPEP), UFU Postgraduate Program, in 2020, where he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering. During the master’s, he studied and developed islanding detection techniques, synchronization strategies and MPPT methods. His research interests include islanding detection, distributed generation, renewable energies, MPPT, control methods and power quality.

Pedro J. S. Neto, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

is a professor in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the State University of Campinas. He holds a Ph.D. and an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the State University of Campinas and received his B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of the Vale do São Francisco.

Gustavo Brito de Lima, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

received his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) in 2010, 2012, and 2015, respectively. In 2017, he joined UFU as a faculty member, where he currently develops teaching and research activities in the area of power electronics.

Luiz C. G. Freitas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

was born in Uberlândia, Brazil, in 1976. He received the graduate degree in electrical engineering with emphasis on power systems and the master’s and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering with emphasis on power electronics from the Federal University of Uberlândia, in 2001, 2003, and 2006, respectively. In his doctoral thesis he developed an innovative topological design of a three-phase hybrid rectifier for high power drive systems. In 2008 he joined as the Faculty Member with the Federal University of Uberlândia, where he is working developing teaching and research activities in the area of power electronics and power systems. Since 2010 he has been the Coordinator with the Power Electronics Research Center (NUPEP) at UFU. In 2012, he received the Second Prize Paper Award of the IEEE-IAS-Industrial Automation and Control Committee (IACC) for his contribution to the development of hybrid rectifier structures. Since 2013, he has been a researcher recognized by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) with a Research Productivity Grant. His research interests include electrical engineering, conversion and rectification of electric energy, working on various topics related to power electronics, electric power quality, and renewable energy.

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2026-01-22

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[1]
D. B. Rodrigues, “Automatic Power Flow Control Strategy in Hybrid Microgrids: Development and Validation using Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop”, Eletrônica de Potência, vol. 31, p. e202608, Jan. 2026.

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Vol. 31 (2026)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Danillo B. Rodrigues, Marcus E. T. Souza Junior, Beatriz C. Moura, Érico C. Guimarães , Gabriel M. Bernardes, Ênio C. Resende, Pedro J. S. Neto, Gustavo Brito de Lima, Luiz C. G. Freitas

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