Scheduling of multi-microgrids (MMGs) is one of the important tasks in MMG operation and it faces new challenges as the integration of demand response (DR) programs and renewable generation (wind and solar) sources increases. In order to address these challenges, robust optimization (RO)-based scheduling has been proposed in this paper considering uncertainties in both renewable energy sources and forecasted electric loads. Initially, a cost minimization deterministic model has been formulated for the MMG system. Then, it has been transformed to a min-max robust counterpart and finally, a traceable robust counterpart has been formulated using linear duality theory and Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions. The developed model provides immunity against the worst-case realization within the provided uncertainty bounds. Budget of uncertainty has been used to develop a trade-off between the conservatism of solution and probability of unfeasible solution. The effect of uncertainty gaps on internal and external trading, operation cost, unit commitment of dispatchable generators, and state of charge (SOC) of battery energy storage systems (BESSs) have also been analyzed in both grid-connected and islanded modes. Simulations results have proved the robustness of proposed strategy.

Optimal sizing of stationary energy storage systems (ESS) is required to reduce the peak load and increase the profit of fast charging stations. Sequential sizing of battery and converter or fixed-size converters are considered in most of the existing studies. However, sequential sizing or fixed-converter sizes may result in under or oversizing of ESS and thus fail to achieve the set targets, such as peak shaving and cost reduction. In order to address these issues, simultaneous sizing of battery and converter is proposed in this study. The proposed method has the ability to avoid the under or oversizing of ESS by considering the converter capacity and battery size as two independence decision variables. A mathematical problem is formulated by considering the stochastic return time of electrical vehicles (EVs), worst-case state of charge at return time, number of registered EVs, charging level of EVs, and other related parameters. The annualized cost of ESS is computed by considering the lifetime of ESS equipment and annual interest rates. The performance of the proposed method is compared with the existing sizing methods for ESS in fast-charging stations. In addition, sensitivity analysis is carried out to analyze the impact of different parameters on the size of the battery and the converter. Simulation results have proved that the proposed method is outperforming the existing sizing methods in terms of the total annual cost of the charging station and the amount of power buying during peak load intervals.

Abstract:In this paper, an optimal energy management strategy for a cooperative multi-microgrid system with combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) is proposed and has been verified for a test case of building microgrids (BMGs). Three different demand types of buildings are considered and the BMGs are assumed to be equipped with their own combined heat and power (CHP) generators. In addition, the BMGs are also connected to an external energy network (EEN), which contains a large CHP, an adsorption chiller (ADC), a thermal storage tank, and an electric heat pump (EHP). By trading the excess electricity and heat energy with the utility grid and EEN, each BMG can fulfill its energy demands. Seasonal energy demand variations have been evaluated by selecting a representative day for the two extreme seasons (summer and winter) of the year, among the real profiles of year-round data on electricity, heating, and cooling usage of all the three selected buildings. Especially, the thermal energy management aspect is emphasized where, bi-lateral heat trading between the energy supplier and the consumers, so-called energy prosumer concept, has been realized. An optimization model based on mixed integer linear programming has been developed for minimizing the daily operation cost of the EEN while fulfilling the energy demands of the BMGs. Simulation results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.

Integration of demand response (DR) programs and battery energy storage system (BESS) in microgrids are beneficial for both microgrid owners and consumers. The intensity of DR programs and BESS size can alter the operation of microgrids. Meanwhile, the optimal size for BESS units is linked with the uncertainties associated with renewable energy sources and load variations. Similarly, the participation of enrolled customers in DR programs is also uncertain and, among various other factors, uncertainty in market prices is a major cause. Therefore, in this paper, the impact of DR program intensity and BESS size on the operation of networked microgrids is analyzed while considering the prevailing uncertainties. The uncertainties associated with forecast load values, output of renewable generators, and market price are realized via the robust optimization method. Robust optimization has the capability to provide immunity against the worst-case scenario, provided the uncertainties lie within the specified bounds. The worst-case scenario of the prevailing uncertainties is considered for evaluating the feasibility of the proposed method. The two representative categories of DR programs, i.e., price-based and incentive-based DR programs are considered. The impact of change in DR intensity and BESS size on operation cost of the microgrid network, external power trading, internal power transfer, load profile of the network, and state-of-charge (SOC) of battery energy storage system (BESS) units is analyzed. Simulation results are analyzed to determine the integration of favorable DR program and/or BESS units for different microgrid networks with diverse objectives.

Abstract:The resiliency of power systems can be enhanced during emergency situations by using microgrids, due to their capability to supply local loads. However, precise prediction of disturbance events is very difficult rather the occurrence probability can be expressed as, high, medium, or low, etc. Therefore, a fuzzy logic-based battery energy storage system (BESS) operation controller is proposed in this study. In addition to BESS state-of-charge and market price signals, event occurrence probability is taken as crisp input for the BESS operation controller. After assessing the membership levels of all the three inputs, BESS operation controller decides the operation mode (subservient or resilient) of BESS units. In subservient mode, BESS is fully controlled by an energy management system (EMS) while in the case of resilient mode, the EMS follows the commands of the BESS operation controller for scheduling BESS units. Therefore, the proposed hybrid microgrid model can operate in normal, resilient, and emergency modes with the respective objective functions and scheduling horizons. Due to the consideration of resilient mode, load curtailment can be reduced during emergency operation periods. Numerical simulations have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed strategy for enhancing the resiliency of hybrid microgrids.