Microgrids are the most innovative area in the electric power industry today. Future microgrids could exist as energy-balanced cells within existing power distribution grids or stand-alone power networks within small communities. A definitive presentation on all aspects of microgrids, this text examines the operation of microgrids – their control concepts and advanced architectures including multi-microgrids. It takes a logical approach to overview the purpose and the technical aspects of microgrids, discussing the social, economic and environmental benefits to power system operation. The book also presents microgrid design and control issues, including protection and explaining how to implement centralized and decentralized control strategies. Key features: original, state-of-the-art research material written by internationally respected contributors  - unique case studies demonstrating success stories from real-world pilot sites from Europe, the Americas, Japan and China - examines market and regulatory settings for microgrids, and provides evaluation results under standard test conditions - a look to the future – technical solutions to maximize the value of distributed energy along with the principles and criteria for developing commercial and regulatory frameworks for microgrids Offering broad yet balanced coverage, this volume is an entry point to this very topical area of power delivery for electric power engineers familiar with medium and low voltage distribution systems, utility operators in microgrids, power systems researchers and academics. It is also a useful reference for system planners and operators, manufacturers and network operators, government regulators, and postgraduate power systems students. CONTRIBUTORS Thomas Degner Aris Dimeas Alfred Engler Nuno Gil Asier Gil de Muro Guillermo Jiménez-Estévez George Kariniotakis George Korres André Madureira Meiqin Mao Chris Marnay Jose Miguel Yarza Satoshi Morozumi Alexander Oudalov Frank van Overbeeke Rodrigo Palma Behnke Joao Abel Pecas Lopes Fernanda Resende John Romankiewicz Christine Schwaegerl Nikos Soultanis Liang Tao Antonis Tsikalakis “This book is a must read resource for anyone interested in the design and operation of microgrids and the integration of renewable resources into the power grid ” ― Sakis Meliopoulos, Distinguished Professor at Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, USA “This book not only explains in a very good way what a microgrid is, it also explains how microgrids work and how to build them. The book is written by an impressive group of experts in the field and the contents is equally impressive. Whether you want to know just a bit about microgrids, or a lot about microgrids, this book is highly recommended reading. Even those not interested in microgrids might find a lot of interesting material in this book” ―Math Bollen, Fellow IEEE, Professor, Luleå University of Technology, Skellefteå, Sweden “This book is the culmination of the work of leading experts in various aspects of Microgrids. It is based on six years of work funded by the European Commission. The concept and rationale of Microgrids are discussed in a way that is accessible to both the specialist and non-specialist. Various technical aspects of Microgrids are investigated in detail including architectures, operation and control, protection as well as social and economic benefits. The book is unique in the way it uses case studies of Microgrid pilot sites around the world to test and validate various operational and control approaches under real life conditions. The lessons learnt from the pilot sites are also captured and can be used to inform future work. The book comes at an opportune time as it deals with many issues that provide the bedrock for smart grids. It covers the key defining features of future power systems which are likely to be characterised by decentralised electricity supply with significant roles for renewable energy, storage and demands side participation leading to the brave new world of so-called “democratisation of energy supply”. Professionals and students alike, embarking on a career either in industry or research on sustainable energy systems in which smart grid concepts will play an increasingly central role, will find this book essential reading and an invaluable companion” ― Dr Joseph Mutale, Senior Lecturer Electrical Energy and Power Systems, University of Manchester, UK “The book is based on the work of several leading experts in the field of Microgrids, as a result of multi-year joint European projects. It is an essential resource for anyone involved in the analysis, design and operation of Microgrids, as it provides an excellent analysis of the role of Microgrids within the power systems structure, focusing on the primary and secondary control, protection and management at Microgrid and Multi-Microgrid level. The book also uses several interesting case studies o