Microgrid to enable optimal distributed energy retail and end-user demand response

Abstract

In the face of unprecedented challenges of upcoming fossil fuel shortage and reliability and security of the grid, there is an upward tendency to adopt distributed, renewable, energy resources, as in microgrids (MGs), and engage flexible electric loads in power system operations to potentially drive a paradigm shift in the energy production and consumption patterns. Prior works on MG dispatch have been leveraging decentralized technologies like combined heat and power (CHP) and heat pumps to promote efficiency and economic gains; however, the flexibility of demands has yet to be fully exploited in cooperation with the grid to offer added benefits and ancillary services. The object of the study is to develop the microgrid optimal dispatch with demand response (MOD-DR), which fills in the gap by coordinating both the demand and supply sides in a renewable-penetrated, storage-augmented, DR-enabled MG to achieve economically viable and system-wide resilient solutions. The key contribution is the formulation of a multi-objective optimization with prevailing constraints and utility tradeoff based on the model of a large-scale MG with flexible loads, which leads to the derivation of strategies that incorporate uncertainty in scheduling. Evaluation using real datasets is conducted to analyze the uncertainty effects and demand response potentials, demonstrating in a campus prototype a 17.5% of peak load reduction and 8.8% cost savings for MOD-DR compared to the non-trivial baseline, which is on par with the Oracle with perfect predictions.

Evolution of Microgrids with Converter-Interfaced Generations: Challenges and Opportunities

“…As, traditionally, energy providers do not provide incentives for consumers to change their load patterns, clients are unaware of ways to efficiently use energy [271]. However, those who exhibit a demand response by changing their power consumption in relation to the market's electricity prices are currently encouraged by the provision of different types of programs, such as direct load control, the emergency demand response program (EDRP), demand bidding, capacity market programs, interruptible rates, time-of-use (TOU), real-time pricing (RTP) and critical-peak pricing (CPP) [272][273][274][275][276][277]. These programs have their own unique features that determine their suitability for a particular community and basically offer financial incentives or impose penalties to encourage customers to use their loads flexibly.…”

The Impact of Demand Response Programs on Reducing the Emissions and Cost of A Neighborhood Home Microgrid

“…Along with attention to generation, the demand side needs to be considered. DR attempts to achieve a balance between generation and consumption by limiting selection of the loads on the system to which power is provided [18][19][20]. It plays a significant role in the effective shift of loads having a certain performance.…”

Fixed Frequency Sliding Mode Control of Power Converters for Improved Dynamic Response in DC Micro-Grids

“…Exponential increase in the energy demand due to massive industrial growth and urbanization has called for the installation of new generation units. To increase the reliability of the system and reduce the probability of complete black out, the researchers are focusing on the development and integration of Distributed power Generation Units (DGU) [1][2][3][4]. Moreover, the alarming momentum at which the conventional energy resources are being depleted to meet the power demand motivated the use of Renewable Energy Resources (RER).…”