Fractional order controllers in microgrid management: systematic review

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

• Duncan Nkolokosa, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, 29075-910, BrazilFollow
• Sebastian Waita, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
• Mutugi Kiruki, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Nairobi, Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
• Bartolomeu Ferreira dos Santos Junior, Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Piaui, Teresina, Piaui, 64049-550, Brazil
• Walbermark Marque dos Santos, Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, 29075-910, Brazil

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2025

Journal Name

Multiscale and Multidisciplinary Modeling, Experiments and Design

Abstract

Recently, the utilization of fractional order calculus in power electronics, especially in microgrid control, has gained prominence. Over the last few years, critical evaluation of the fractional order controllers and their application to renewable energy systems and other process control systems has been carried out. Fractional order controllers represent a notable progression in control theory, providing improved performance and adaptability relative to conventional integer-order controllers. They have made notable contributions to microgrid control technology, particularly in load frequency management, power balancing, and other performance metrics. The focus of this study is to review the application of fractional order compensators in microgrid systems, an area that the existing literature has not sufficiently addressed. The review introduces selected control topologies suitable for application in microgrids. The core notions of fractional calculus and how it supports the creation of fractional order controllers have been presented. Various classes of the fractional order controller have been comprehensively discussed with specific examples to demonstrate their operability and control efficiency. The review gives particular attention to analysis on the application of fractional order to microgrids, highlighting their importance in terms of robustness, stability, and adaptability. The fractional order controllers and optimisation algorithms proposed in the previous studies (2020–2024) have been highlighted. The paper presents an evaluation of the benefits and deficiencies of fractional order control systems. Fractional order PID controllers are still used more in microgrid systems. It was established that fully defined tuning criteria and hardware implementation for fractional order controllers are still lacking.

Keywords

Fractional order, microgrid management, systematic review

Rsif Scholar Name

Duncan Nkolokosa

Rsif Scholar Nationality

Malawi

Cohort

Cohort 3

Thematic Area

Energy including Renewables

Africa Host University (AHU)

University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenya

Recommended Citation

Nkolokosa, D., Waita, S., Kiruki, M., dos Santos Junior, B. F., & Santos, W. M. (2025). Fractional order controllers in microgrid management: systematic review. Multiscale and Multidisciplinary Modeling, Experiments and Design, 8 (430) https://doi.org/10.1007/s41939-025-01018-4