Mobile Microgrids: Concepts, Key Technologies, Business Models, Applications and Prospects

The expansion of global energy systems will require a crucial shift towards durable and flexible technologies. The rapid growth of renewable energy sources demands practical solutions to ensure a stable and reliable power supply within the electrical distribution grid. Microgrid technologies, by integrating various energy sources, offer optimised dispatching to enhance the reliability, resilience, economy, security and sustainability of the grid. However, stationary microgrids, which rely on fixed resources and infrastructure, may encounter challenges such as deployment difficulties and limited flexibility under extreme and special conditions. This paper introduces Mobile Microgrids (MMGs) as an agile solution to augment traditional and stationary microgrid systems, enhancing their flexibility and resilience. MMGs integrate renewable energy sources, energy storage systems and advanced communication technologies to provide reliable and flexible power solutions. We systematically review the key technologies behind MMGs, their business models and applications in diverse critical sectors. This work further discusses the strengths and limitations of existing MMG implementations and provides a critical analysis of current research gaps. We emphasise MMGs' pivotal role in improving grid resilience, offering insights into their prospects and proposing directions for further development in mobile energy systems. By synthesising the existing literature, this review aims to contribute a coherent framework for understanding MMGs and their transformative potential in the global energy landscape.