Overview
IEC TS 62898-2:2018 - Microgrids: Part 2 - Guidelines for operation provides operational guidance for alternating-current (AC) microgrids at low and medium voltage levels. The technical specification focuses on the safe, reliable and coordinated operation of microgrids that include loads and distributed energy resources (DER). It explicitly excludes direct-current (DC) microgrids. The document is intended as practical guidance for operators, integrators and planners working with AC microgrids.
Key topics
The standard covers operational and control aspects including:
-
Operation modes and mode transfer
- Grid-connected vs island (isolated) operation
- Mode transfer principles including synchronization and reclosing
-
Control and Energy Management
- Energy management system (EMS) roles and control strategies for both non‑isolated and isolated microgrids
- Frequency and voltage response characteristics and control requirements
-
Communication and monitoring
- Communications between the microgrid and utility grid and internal microgrid communications
- Monitoring requirements for DER, switching devices and control systems
-
Electrical energy storage (EES)
- Requirements for EES in grid-connected, island and during mode transfers
- EES management and integration with EMS
-
Protection principles
- Protection approaches for non‑isolated and isolated microgrids
- Anti‑islanding, reclosing with synchronization and protection coordination
-
Power quality and EMC
- Power quality considerations in grid‑connected and isolated operation
- Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) guidance
-
Commissioning, maintenance and testing
- Practical procedures and test requirements to ensure safe operation and reliability
Applications and practical users
IEC TS 62898-2 is useful for:
- Microgrid designers and system integrators implementing AC microgrids
- Utilities and distribution system operators coordinating customer‑side microgrids
- Plant and site operators managing islanding and grid‑connected operation
- Manufacturers of inverters, controllers, protection equipment and EES systems
- Test engineers and commissioning teams validating microgrid behavior
- Policy makers and project developers planning rural electrification and resilient energy systems
Practical applications include improving reliability via controlled islanding, rural electrification using mainly-isolated microgrids, cost reduction through local energy optimization, and providing ancillary services to the grid.
Related standards
- IEC TS 62898-1 (microgrid planning and requirements)
- IEC 62786 (connection of parallel generators)
- IEC technical committees on safety/protection (TC 64, TC 99)
- IEC TS 62257 (rural electrification)
- IEC TS 62749 (power quality)
Keywords: IEC TS 62898-2:2018, microgrids guidelines for operation, AC microgrids, EMS, DER, electrical energy storage, anti-islanding, synchronization, power quality, commissioning.