IEEE Electrification Magazine - December 2019 - 5

of marine microgrids as new players
in the smart grid infrastructure. The
similarity between terrestrial and
marine microgrid control systems
potentially allows for a perfect match
of the shipboard power system control architecture within the distribution network.
Given the rapid evolution of both
microgrids and marine systems, the
theoretical analysis and possibility of
performing high-quality research are
critical assets. In "AC Microgrid SmallSignal Modeling" by Ying Wu, Yanpeng Wu, Josep M. Guerrero, Juan C.
Vasquez, and Jiao Li, an interesting
theoretical framework is discussed.
As mentioned previously, dealing
with fully electronic networks calls
for innovative concepts, and this
requires clear theoretical frameworks.
Microgrids are becoming more hierarchical, distributed, flexible, and
intelligent. Advanced control solutions are determining high nonlinear
dynamics and creating sophisticated
networked systems. As a result, the
formulation and development of
control challenges is proving to be a
more complex process.
Although there are already several
available modeling techniques that
can be used to formulate the control
problem, the modeling of traditional
utility power systems is usually
divided into two separate parts (generation and transmission systems),
whereas microgrids tend to integrate
all of the functionalities into a tightly
interacting structure. As a result, the
coupling among multiple power-electronics-based devices and the interaction between different control
loops and control layers determine
new dynamics that increase the
complexity of microgrid modeling.

New technologies come with new
The article by Wu et al. discusses
challenges. "Open Challenges in
how traditional techniques, such as
Future Electric Ship Design" by Ansmall-signal analysis, need to be
drea Colavitto, Andrea Vicenzutti,
adapted to meet the challenges of
Daniele Bosich, and Giorgio Sulligoi
microgrid applications.
discusses how the migration to a fully
A good theory that cannot be testelectronic system means also facing
ed has limited value. This is the main
new issues, such as high-frequencypoint of "A Hybrid Power System
disturbance propagation. The more
Laboratory" by Muzaidi B. Othman,
power electronics enables advanced
Namireddy Praveen Reddy, Pramod
control solutions and fast dynamics,
Ghimire, Mehdi Karbalaye Zadeh,
thanks to increased switching freAmjad Anvari-Moghaddam, and
quency, the more the
Josep M. Guerrero,
problem of disturwhich introduces a
The transformation
bances becomes relehybrid power system
from electro-
vant. Furthermore, in
laboratory for the
mechanical to
fully integrated power
investigation of elecsystems, based on the
tric and hybrid proelectronic systems
interaction of power
pulsion systems.
poses new challenges
converters on the
This new laboratory
for automation at the
enables testing of the
same bus, the topic
system level.
most critical aspects
becomes extremely
complex. Advanced
of the paradigm shift
computer modeling
happening in marine
of fers a new type of sup port to
systems: the transformation from
the designer.
traditional mechanical to electric
In conclusion, this issue provides a
propulsion. This change is happencomplete overview, from research to
ing together with the aforementioned
application, and discusses current
changes in the onboard energy scenarios from traditional diesel en challenges. The interaction between
gines to reduced- and zero-emission
ships and microgrids happens at difenergy solutions through hybrid
ferent levels: in real life, as shown by
power systems.
one of the contributions, "Integration
The laboratory contributes to
of Shipboard Microgrids Within Land
explore zero-emission shipping
Distribution Networks" by D'Agostino
solutions through the development
et al. and at the theoretical level,
of energy and emission managewhere new tools can serve both
ment systems for hybrid power sysdomains. This collection of articles
tems and technology for shipboard
offers a unique opportunity to appremicrogrids. It is also able to support
ciate these elements. We hope you
new control strategies and perform
are able to decide if a ship looks more
hardware-in-the-loop testing under
like a microgrid or if a microgrid is a
actual ship operating conditions.
sort of ship. Maybe, in the end, it does
Testing scenarios can also include
not really matter.
battery systems, supercapacitors,
and fuel cells.

IEEE Elec trific ation Magazine / D EC EM BE R 2 0 1 9

IEEE Electrification Magazine - December 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Electrification Magazine - December 2019