Restructuring of traditional regulated and centralized power systems has brought the new concept of microgrids in distribution networks. Microgrids could be attractive options to optimally apply the benefits of distributed generation and provide a secure and resilient power supply paralleled with the main grid. A smart AC-DC hybrid microgrid test-bed is designed and implemented in Power System Studies & Restructuring Laboratory in the Faculty of Engineering of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad to provide a microgrid-based framework to design, test, analyze and validate new operation methods in distribution networks. In this paper, an optimal design of a laboratory scale microgrid is presented. The lighting load of the laboratory is redesigned & simulated to comply with the lighting standards. The smart lighting system and its related communication technologies are also explained in the paper. To design a proper photovoltaic system for the microgrid, a comprehensive simulation based on accurate geographical location, 3D shading models and weather data is performed using System Modeling Advisor -SAM- software.

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