The　microgrid　is　a　potential　solution　for　future　distributed　generation　systems.　It　aggregates　many　distributed　energy　resources　(DERs)　and　loads　together　as　an　autonomous　entity.　As　the　penetration　of　DERs　is　increasing　and　their　characteristics　are　very　distinct,　the　control　of　DERs　in　microgrid　is　still　a　complex　task.　In　this　paper,　a　multi-agent　system　(MAS)　approach,　as　a　branch　of　distributed　artificial　intelligence　methods,　is　introduced　for　DERs　control　in　microgrid.　The　DER　units　and　loads　are　classified　and　three　types　of　agents,　namely,　the　regional　agent　(RA),　the　local　agent　(LA)　and　the　service　agent　(SA)　are　also　defined.　Two-layer　control　strategies　are　established　to　achieve　local　autonomy　and　global　optimization　respectively,　operating　in　both　grid-connected　mode　and　island　mode.　Generation/load　forecasting　and　schedule　of　loads　shedding　are　also　discussed　in　this　paper.　©　2010　IEEE.