Analysis of Interlocking Mechanism for Auto Transfer Switch in Microgrids

Load shedding and high prices of energy have caused a lot of disruption in the industrial progression of Pakistan. Researchers and engineers have explored many solutions to overcome this problem. Expansion of generation and increasing capacities of transmission and distribution can be the solution with ineffective cost/benefits ratio. Therefore, renewable energy-based power generation and promotion of prosumers have geared up the revolution to meet the energy demands with in the acceptable limits. Auto transfer switch is the technology that is linked with the switching of power sources. This technology works on the mechanism of interlocking. Interlocking should be done in a way without affecting the sensitive power electronic circuitries and to ensure power quality. In this research, analysis of interlocking is done in a test system of micro grid equipped with the conventional power source and the renewable energy source. Simulations are carried out in Matlab/ Simulink. The promising results and hardware prototype not only ensure the significance of this research but also provide a solution of switching in microgrids without compromise on power quality issues.