A kinetic theory model for the energy-demand management in a microgrid–macrogrid network

Abstract

This paper deals with the modeling of the management of the energy-demand in a microgrid network connected to a macrogrid network by means of a generalized kinetic theory model. Specifically the microgrid network N, composed of three energy sources, is connected to an external energy distribution network Ne. The role of the network Ne is to manage the absorption of the energy in the network N. The numerical investigations are addressed to the ability of the proposed model to reach the energy-demand. Specifically, a constant energy-demand and a time-dependent energy-demand are analyzed. The numerical simulation shows that the model is able to reproduce two different behaviors: on the one hand the three energy sources are able to satisfy the related energy-demand; on the other hand the three energy sources are not able to supply the prescribed amount of energy and the action of the external network Ne is required. The operating mode of the network N, namely isolated (stand-alone) or connected to the external network Ne, is shown by performing a sensitivity analysis on the functional parameters. Discussions and research perspectives are postponed to the last section of the paper.