An Evolutionary Computational Approach for the Problem of Unit Commitment and Economic Dispatch in Microgrids under Several Operation Modes

In the last decades, new types of generation technologies have emerged and have been gradually integrated into the existing power systems, moving their classical architectures to distributed systems. Despite the positive features associated to this paradigm, new problems arise such as coordination and uncertainty. In this framework, microgrids constitute an effective solution to deal with the coordination and operation of these distributed energy resources. This paper proposes a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to address the combined problem of Unit Commitment (UC) and Economic Dispatch (ED). With this end, a model of a microgrid is introduced together with all the control variables and physical constraints. To optimally operate the microgrid, three operation modes are introduced. The first two attend to optimize economical and environmental factors, while the last operation mode considers the errors induced by the uncertainties in the demand forecasting. Therefore, it achieves a robust design that guarantees the power supply for different confidence levels. Finally, the algorithm was applied to an example scenario to illustrate its performance. The achieved simulation results demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades TEC2016-80242-PMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad PCIN-2015-043Universidad de Sevilla Programa propio de I+D+

A review of microgrid development in the United States – A decade of progress on policies, demonstrations, controls, and software tools

Microgrids have become increasingly popular in the United States. Supported by favorable federal and local policies, microgrid projects can provide greater energy stability and resilience within a project site or community. This paper reviews major federal, state, and utility-level policies driving microgrid development in the United States. Representative U.S. demonstration projects are selected and their technical characteristics and non-technical features are introduced. The paper discusses trends in the technology development of microgrid systems as well as microgrid control methods and interactions within the electricity market. Software tools for microgrid design, planning, and performance analysis are illustrated with each tool's core capability. Finally, the paper summarizes the successes and lessons learned during the recent expansion of the U.S. microgrid industry that may serve as a reference for other countries developing their own microgrid industries

Energy management in microgrids with renewable energy sources: A literature review

Renewable energy sources have emerged as an alternative to meet the growing demand for energy, mitigate climate change, and contribute to sustainable development. The integration of these systems is carried out in a distributed manner via microgrid systems; this provides a set of technological solutions that allows information exchange between the consumers and the distributed generation centers, which implies that they need to be managed optimally. Energy management in microgrids is defined as an information and control system that provides the necessary functionality, which ensures that both the generation and distribution systems supply energy at minimal operational costs. This paper presents a literature review of energy management in microgrid systems using renewable energies, along with a comparative analysis of the different optimization objectives, constraints, solution approaches, and simulation tools applied to both the interconnected and isolated microgrids. To manage the intermittent nature of renewable energy, energy storage technology is considered to be an attractive option due to increased technological maturity, energy density, and capability of providing grid services such as frequency response. Finally, future directions on predictive modeling mainly for energy storage systems are also proposed

A review of optimal operation of microgrids

The term microgrid refers to small-scale power grid that can operate autonomously or in concurrence with the area’s main electrical grid. The intermittent characteristic of DGs which defies the power quality and voltage manifests the requirement for new planning and operation approaches for microgrids. Consequently, conventional optimization methods in new power systems have been critically biased all through the previous decade. One of the main technological and inexpensive tools in this regard is the optimal generation scheduling of microgrid. As a primary optimization tool in the planning and operation fields, optimal operation has an undeniable part in the power system. This paper reviews and evaluates the optimal operation approaches mostly related to microgrids. In this work, the foremost optimal generation scheduling approaches are compared in terms of their objective functions, techniques and constraints. To conclude, a few fundamental challenges occurring from the latest optimal generation scheduling techniques in microgrids are addressed

Modeling and Controlling a Hybrid Multi-Agent based Microgrid in Presence of Different Physical and Cyber Components

This dissertation starts with modeling of two different and important parts of the distribution power systems, i.e. distribution line and photovoltaic (PV) systems. Firstly, it studies different approximation methods and develops a new approach for simplification of Carson\u27s equations to model distribution lines for unbalanced power flow and short circuit analysis. The results of applying the proposed method on a three-phase unbalanced distribution system are compared with different existing methods as well as actual impedance values obtained from numerical integration method. Then steady state modeling and optimal placing of multiple PV system are investigated in order to reduce the total loss in the system. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed method in minimizing the total loss in a distribution power system.;The dissertation starts the discussion about microgrid modeling and control by implementing a novel frequency control approach in a microgrid. This study has been carried out step by step by modeling different part of the power system and proposing different algorithms. Firstly, the application of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) accompanied with Energy Storage Systems (ESS) in a hybrid system is studied in the presence of Distributed Generation (DG) resources in Load Frequency Control (LFC) problem of microgrid power system with significant penetration of wind speed disturbances. The next step is to investigate the effect of PHEVs in modelling and controlling the microgid. Therefore, system with different penetrations of PHEVs and different stochastic behaviors of PHEVs is modeled. Different kinds of control approaches, including PI control as conventional method and proposed optimal LQR and dynamic programming methods, have been utilized and the results have been compared with each other. Then, Multi Agent System (MAS) is utilized as a control solution which contributes the cyber aspects of microgrid system. The modeled microgrid along with dynamic models of different components is implemented in a centralized multi-agent based structure. The robustness of the proposed controller has been tested against different frequency changes including cyber attack implications with different timing and severity. New attack detection through learning method is also proposed and tested. The results show improvement in frequency response of the microgrid system using the proposed control method and defense strategy against cyber attacks.;Finally, a new multi-agent based control method along with an advanced secondary voltage and frequency control using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Adaptive Dynamic Programming (ADP) is proposed and tested in the modeled microgrid considering nonlinear heterogeneous dynamic models of DGs. The results are shown and compared with conventional control approaches and different multi-agent structures. It is observed that the results are improved by using the new multi-agent structure and secondary control method.;In summary, contributions of this dissertation center in three main topics. Firstly, new accurate methods for modeling the distribution line impedance and PV system is developed. Then advanced control and defense strategy method for frequency regulation against cyber intrusions and load changes in a microgrid is proposed. Finally, a new hierarchical multi-agent based control algorithm is designed for secondary voltage and frequency control of the microgrid. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)

Symmetry in Renewable Energy and Power Systems

This book includes original research papers related to renewable energy and power systems in which theoretical or practical issues of symmetry are considered. The book includes contributions on voltage stability analysis in DC networks, optimal dispatch of islanded microgrid systems, reactive power compensation, direct power compensation, optimal location and sizing of photovoltaic sources in DC networks, layout of parabolic trough solar collectors, topologic analysis of high-voltage transmission grids, geometric algebra and power systems, filter design for harmonic current compensation. The contributions included in this book describe the state of the art in this field and shed light on the possibilities that the study of symmetry has in power grids and renewable energy systems

Electric Power Conversion and Micro-Grids

This edited volume is a collection of reviewed and relevant research chapters offering a comprehensive overview of recent achievements in the field of micro-grids and electric power conversion. The book comprises single chapters authored by various researchers and is edited by a group of experts in such research areas. All chapters are complete in themselves but united under a common research study topic. This publication aims at providing a thorough overview of the latest research efforts by international authors on electric power conversion, micro-grids, and their up-to-the-minute technological advances and opens new possible research paths for further novel developments

Electric thermal storage in isolated wind diesel power systems: use of distributed secondary loads for frequency regulation

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2017Isolated coastal utilities in Arctic villages commonly use a mix of diesel and wind power to provide electrical service to their consumers. It is common for such communities to experience periods of high wind generation for which no immediate demand exists and either waste, curtail, or poorly utilize the surplus. The objective of the present work is to explore (through mathematical and numerical modelling) the technical feasibility of and optimization strategies for distributing this excess wind energy as domestic space heat for use as a cleaner, more economical alternative to fossil fuels. Autonomously controlled Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) devices are considered as a solution to decouple the supply of excess wind power with domestic heat demand without the need for communication infrastructure or a second distribution circuit. First, using numerical heat transfer analysis, it is shown that the performance of an ETS heater core can be generalized and expressed in terms of its physical properties and simple geometric dimensions in such a way as to inform system sizing and economic performance studies for prospective applications. Furthermore, a collection of autonomous ETS units is shown (using a full-scale lab-validated mathematical model) to possess the ability to assume the role of partial and/or sole frequency regulator on a hybrid wind-diesel system. Several design changes are proposed, which render the commercially-available units more amenable to frequency regulation. Ultimately, ETS is shown to be a promising alternative means of utilizing excess renewable energy for domestic space heat while providing additional stability to the electrical grid.Chapter 1 Introduction -- 1.1 Hybrid Wind-Diesel Systems -- 1.2 Frequency Regulation -- 1.3 Voltage Regulation -- 1.4 Energy Storage -- 1.5 Secondary Loads -- 1.6 Electric Thermal Storage -- 1.7 Summary and Organization of Subsequent Chapters -- 1.8 Nomenclature -- 1.9 References -- Chapter 2 Summary of Measurement and Modeling Methodologies -- 2.1 Numerical Heat Transfer - Measurement -- 2.2 Numerical Heat Transfer - Physical Modeling -- 2.3 Electromechanical Dynamics - Measurement -- 2.3.1 Field Measurements -- 2.3.2 Raw Data -- 2.3.3 Post Processing: RMS Values -- 2.3.4 Post Processing: Frequency and Power Factor -- 2.3.5 Post Processing: Impedance, Real Power, and Reactive Power -- 2.4 Electromechanical Dynamics - Modeling -- 2.4.1 Model Structure -- 2.4.2 Equivalent Circuit Simulation Process -- 2.4.3 Solution of Nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) -- 2.5 References -- Chapter 3 Generalized Heat Flow Model of a Forced Air Electric Thermal Storage Heater Core -- 3.1 Abstract -- 3.2 Introduction -- 3.3 Model -- 3.3.1 Definitions -- 3.3.2 Structure -- 3.3.3 Governing Equations -- 3.3.4 Boundary Conditions -- 3.3.5 Material Properties -- 3.4 Analysis -- 3.4.1 Solution Linearization and Air Velocity Profile -- 3.4.2 Thermal Gradients -- 3.4.3 Parameter Sweep -- 3.5 Results and Discussion -- 3.5.1 One-parameter Model -- 3.5.2 Two-parameter Model -- 3.5.3 Core Energy Balance -- 3.5.4 Stove Modelling -- 3.6 Conclusions -- 3.7 Acknowledgements -- 3.8 Funding -- 3.9 Nomenclature -- 3.10 References -- Chapter 4 Development of a Full-Scale-Lab-Validated Dynamic Simulink© Model for a Stand-Alone -- Wind-Powered Microgrid -- 4.1 Abstract -- 4.2 Introduction -- 4.3 Mathematical Model -- 4.3.1 Diesel Engine/Governor Model -- 4.3.2 Synchronous Generator Model -- 4.3.3 Excitation System Model -- 4.3.4 Induction Generator Model -- 4.4 Data Collection -- 4.5 Results -- 4.5.1 Data Processing -- 4.5.2 Diesel Only (DO) Mode - Laboratory Results -- 4.5.3 Diesel Only (DO) Mode - Simulation Results -- 4.5.4 Wind-Diesel (WD) Mode -- 4.6 Conclusions -- 4.7 Future Work -- 4.8 Acknowledgements -- 4.9 References -- Chapter 5 Frequency Regulation by Distributed Secondary Loads on Islanded Wind-Powered Microgrids -- 5.1 Abstract -- 5.2 Introduction -- 5.3 Mathematical Model -- 5.3.1 Wind-Diesel Hybrid System -- 5.3.2 Individual ETS Units Response -- 5.3.3 Aggregate DSL Response -- 5.4 Analysis -- 5.4.1 Invariant Model Inputs (Machine Parameters) -- 5.4.2 Variable Model Inputs -- 5.4.3 Model Outputs -- 5.5 Results and Discussion -- 5.5.1 Synchronized Switching -- 5.5.2 Staggered Switching -- 5.5.3 Additional Observations and Discussion -- 5.6 Conclusion and Future Work -- 5.7 References -- Chapter 6 Modelling Integration Strategies for Autonomous Distributed Secondary Loads on High Penetration Wind-Diesel Microgrids -- 6.1 Abstract -- 6.2 Introduction -- 6.3 Model -- 6.3.1 System Requirements -- 6.3.2 System Components -- 6.3.3 Control Strategy -- 6.4 Results and Discussion -- 6.4.1 Ramp Simulation -- 6.4.2 Representative Simulation -- 6.4.3 Design Considerations -- 6.5 Conclusions -- 6.6 Acknowledgements -- 6.7 References -- Chapter 7 Results and Observations -- 7.1 Result and Observations of Chapter 3 -- 7.2 Results and Observations of Chapter 4 -- 7.3 Results and Observations of Chapter 5 -- 7.4 Results and Observations of Chapter 6 -- Chapter 8 Conclusions -- 8.1 Conclusions for Generalized Heat Flow Model of a Forced Air Electric Thermal Storage Heater Core -- 8.2 Conclusions for Development of a Full-Scale-Lab-Validated Dynamic Simulink© Model for a Stand-Alone Wind-Powered Microgrid -- 8.3 Conclusions for Frequency Regulation by Distributed Secondary Loads (DSLs) on Islanded Wind-Powered Microgrids -- 8.4 Conclusions for Modeling Integration Strategies for Autonomous Distributed Secondary Loads on High Penetration Wind-Diesel Microgrids -- 8.5 Suggestions for Future Research -- 8.6 Overall Conclusions -- 8.7 Acknowledgements

A review on peak load shaving in microgrid—Potential benefits, challenges, and future trend

This study aims to review the potential benefits of peak load shaving in a microgrid system. The relevance of peak shaving for a microgrid system is presented in this research review at the outset to justify the peak load shaving efficacy. The prospective benefits of peak shaving in microgrid systems, including technological, economic, and environmental advantages, are thoroughly examined. This review study also presents a cost–benefit numerical analysis to illustrate the economic viability of peak load shaving for a microgrid system. Different peak shaving approaches are briefly discussed, as well as the obstacles of putting them into practice. Finally, this review study reveals some potential future trends and possible directions for peak shaving research in microgrid systems. This review paper lays a strong foundation for identifying the potential benefits of peak shaving in microgrid systems and establishing suitable projects for practical effectuation